The days between one tenant moving out and the next moving in decide how smoothly the next lease goes. A written checklist keeps nothing from slipping, and gives you a record if there's a deposit dispute.
1. Move-out inspection (day 1)
- Walk every room with your move-in photos or checklist and photograph everything, including inside appliances and closets.
- Note damage beyond normal wear and tear: holes, stains, broken blinds, missing items.
- Collect all keys, fobs, garage remotes and mailbox keys.
- Take meter readings and confirm utilities transfer dates.
2. Safety checks
- Test every smoke and CO detector and replace batteries.
- Test GFCI outlets in the kitchen, bathrooms and outside.
- Check the fire extinguisher gauge and date.
- Change the locks or rekey.
3. Maintenance while it's empty
- Replace the HVAC filter and note the size.
- Replace the fridge water filter.
- Clean the dryer vent duct, not just the lint trap.
- Check under sinks for leaks, and test every faucet, toilet and drain.
- Flush the water heater if it's due.
- Touch up paint, patch holes and caulk tubs and sinks.
4. Deep clean
- Inside the oven, fridge, microwave, dishwasher and range hood filter.
- Bathrooms top to bottom, including grout and exhaust fans.
- Windows, tracks, blinds, baseboards and light fixtures.
- Carpets cleaned or floors refinished as needed.
5. Paperwork and handover
- Return the deposit (minus documented deductions) within your state's deadline.
- Do a move-in inspection with the new tenant, with dated photos.
- Leave a short home guide: trash days, filter size, shutoff valve locations, who to call.
In Tagwell, each rental keeps its own rooms, tasks, filter sizes and paint colors, and you can send a turnover checklist to your cleaner and export a dated record of everything done (Plus).
Let Tagwell remember for you
Add this to your home in a tap, get a reminder when it's due, and keep the part details on file. Free to start.