Apartment Turnover Checklist for Denver PMs (2026)

Junk Same Day 📞 (303) 324-6014

You just got the keys back. The tenant’s out, the lease is done, and now you’re staring at a unit that needs to be rent-ready yesterday. Every day it sits empty is money lost — at Denver’s average rent of $1,800/month, that’s $60 per day in vacancy cost.

This checklist covers every step from the moment a tenant moves out to the moment you hand keys to the next one. It’s built specifically for Denver metro property managers who handle anywhere from 5 to 500+ units and need a repeatable, fast turnover process.

Average turnover time goal: 3–5 days for a standard unit. 7–10 days for heavy cleanouts.

Phase 1: Move-Out Day (Day 0)

These steps happen the day the tenant turns in keys — or the day after, if they leave after hours.

☐ Walk the Unit Immediately

Don’t wait. Walk the unit within 24 hours of key return. Bring your phone for photos and a clipboard for notes. Document everything before anyone else enters.

☐ Photo-Document Every Room

Take timestamped photos of:

Every wall, ceiling, and floor in every room
All appliances (open fridge, oven, dishwasher)
Inside all closets and cabinets
Bathrooms — toilet, tub, under sinks
Any damage beyond normal wear and tear
All items left behind (furniture, trash, personal belongings)

These photos protect you during security deposit disputes. Under Colorado’s abandoned property law, you’ll need documentation if the tenant left belongings behind.

☐ Inventory Abandoned Property

If the tenant left items behind, do not throw anything away yet. Colorado law (CRS §38-12-126) requires proper notice before disposal in most cases. Create a written inventory of everything left in the unit.

After a court-ordered eviction: Property is immediately considered abandoned — no waiting period required. See our guide to handling tenant belongings after eviction.
Standard move-out: You must provide 15 days written notice via certified mail before disposing of property.

Either way, get it documented before you touch anything.

☐ Turn Off Utilities (If Tenant-Paid)

Confirm that tenant-paid utilities have been transferred out of their name. If the unit will be vacant for more than a few days, consider putting basic utilities in your name to prevent frozen pipes (winter) or run HVAC for showing readiness.

☐ Secure the Unit

Change or re-key locks immediately. Don’t wait until the new tenant moves in — do it now for liability reasons.

Phase 2: Junk Removal & Bulk Item Cleanup (Days 1–2)

This is where most turnover timelines go sideways. Leftover furniture, appliances, and trash can eat up days if you try to handle it yourself.

☐ Remove All Abandoned Items

Once you’ve documented everything and complied with Colorado’s notice requirements (or it’s post-eviction), get it all out. Common items left behind:

Mattresses and bed frames
Couches, tables, dressers
Old appliances (especially window AC units)
Bags of trash and clothing
Cleaning supplies, toiletries, random boxes

☐ Decide: DIY or Professional Junk Removal

Factor	DIY	Professional
Time	4–8 hours (+ dump trips)	1–2 hours
Cost	$50–$150 (dump fees, truck rental)	$149–$495 depending on volume
Physical labor	You + helpers	Their crew handles everything
Same-day available?	Depends on your schedule	Yes — call before noon
Disposal compliance	You handle sorting	They handle recycling & donation

Pro tip for multi-unit managers: If you’re turning over 3+ units in a month, set up a property management account for volume discounts and priority scheduling. Our PM clients get 5–15% off and net-30 invoicing.

☐ Remove Non-Working Appliances

If the fridge, stove, dishwasher, or washer/dryer need replacing, get the old ones out now. Appliance removal with proper recycling is required for anything containing refrigerants (fridges, freezers, AC units) under the Clean Air Act.

☐ Haul Construction Debris (If Applicable)

If the unit needs drywall repair, flooring replacement, or cabinet work, coordinate debris removal with your contractor’s timeline. Construction debris pickup can be scheduled same-day.

Phase 3: Deep Cleaning (Days 2–3)

☐ Full Kitchen Clean

Inside all appliances (oven, fridge, dishwasher, microwave)
Countertops, backsplash, cabinet faces
Inside all cabinets and drawers
Sink and disposal
Range hood and filter

☐ Full Bathroom Clean

Toilet (inside, outside, behind, base)
Tub/shower — scrub grout, check caulking
Vanity, sink, mirror
Medicine cabinet
Exhaust fan (remove cover and clean)

☐ All Rooms

Wipe all baseboards, door frames, light switches, outlet covers
Clean all windows inside (outside if ground floor)
Clean window tracks and blinds
Wipe ceiling fans and light fixtures
Clean inside all closets

☐ Floors

Carpet: Professional steam clean (required in most leases)
Hardwood/LVP: Sweep, mop, inspect for scratches
Tile: Mop and inspect grout

☐ HVAC

Replace air filter
Clean visible ductwork vents
Test heating and cooling

Phase 4: Repairs & Maintenance (Days 2–4)

Run these concurrently with cleaning when possible.

☐ Walls & Ceilings

Patch nail holes and any drywall damage
Touch up paint (or full repaint if needed — plan 1–2 extra days)
Check for water stains on ceilings (investigate before covering)

☐ Plumbing

Run all faucets — check for leaks and proper drainage
Flush all toilets — check for running/leaking
Inspect under all sinks
Test garbage disposal
Check water heater age and condition

☐ Electrical

Test all outlets (use a $10 outlet tester)
Test all light switches
Replace any burnt-out bulbs
Test smoke detectors and CO detectors (Colorado requires them)
Replace smoke detector batteries

☐ Doors, Windows & Hardware

Check all door locks and handles
Verify new keys work on all locks
Check window locks and screens
Lubricate sticky doors and windows
Replace any broken blinds

☐ Exterior / Common Areas (If Applicable)

Clean patio/balcony
Check exterior lighting
Inspect parking space / garage
Clean storage unit (if included)

Phase 5: Final Prep & Re-Listing (Days 4–5)

☐ Final Walk-Through

Walk the unit one more time with fresh eyes. Check:

Does everything smell clean? (Not like cleaner — actually clean)
Are all lights working?
Is the thermostat set to a comfortable showing temperature?
Are all surfaces dust-free?
Would you want to move in?

☐ Photo-Document Completed Unit

Take move-in condition photos of every room, every appliance, and any areas that were repaired. These become your baseline for the next tenant’s deposit assessment.

☐ Update Listing

Fresh photos (use natural light, wide angles)
Updated rent price (check current Denver comps)
Accurate availability date
Highlight recent upgrades or new appliances

☐ Schedule Showings

Start showing ASAP. At $60/day in vacancy cost, every showing day you gain back is money saved.

The Cost of a Slow Turnover

Denver property managers who don’t have a system lose an average of 2–3 weeks per turnover. Here’s what that costs:

Vacancy Days	Lost Rent ($1,800/mo)	With Turnover Costs ($500 avg)
5 days (fast)	$300	$800
14 days (average)	$840	$1,340
21 days (slow)	$1,260	$1,760
30 days (bad)	$1,800	$2,300

For a deeper analysis of what turnover really costs, including marketing, cleaning, and lost rent, use our tenant turnover cost calculator.

How to Speed Up Your Turnover Process

Build a vendor list now — don’t scramble when a tenant gives notice. Have your cleaning crew, painter, handyman, and junk removal company on speed dial.
Overlap phases — junk removal and cleaning can often happen the same day. Repairs can start while cleaning finishes.
Pre-schedule move-out inspections — walk the unit with the tenant 2 weeks before their lease ends to identify issues early.
Standardize your process — use this checklist every time. Consistency beats improvisation.
Use same-day services — same-day junk removal means the unit can go from “keys returned” to “junk-free” in under 24 hours.

Need the Unit Cleared Fast?

Junk Same Day works with Denver property managers every day. Tenant left a mountain of stuff? Eviction cleanout? Multi-unit turnover? We handle it all.

Same-day service — call before noon, we’re there today
PM volume discounts — 5–15% off for multi-unit accounts
Net-30 invoicing — no chasing payments
Broom-clean finish — unit ready for your cleaning crew
Small loads from $99 — don’t overpay for a half-truck

Call (303) 324-6014 or learn about our PM partnership program.

Apartment Turnover Checklist for Denver Property Managers (2026)