Cleaning guide for turning an apartment

Hi everyone...I'm new to this and this is my first post!!
I am a leasing consultant for a new apartment complex and we have to start from scratch on everything. I am looking for a guide for turning(cleaning)of an apartment. We are going to contract out for the cleaning but I wanted a guide or check list for them. Can anyone help me out?? Thank you

Welcome to Property Management and it is great that you are here to learn. There are also a number of groups on LinkedIn that you can connect with.

I really do not have a list of things to guide you, what I have is what I call a 'golden question' I ask before putting a 'rent ready' status on a unit (in your case, since it is a new property, you should not have to ask, but as you experience turnover you will)... It may sound corny, but.........


'Looking at the unit/work as it stands right now, would I want my parents/grandparents to live here?'


Let me explain how I came to this: my mom is a perfect example, she would never thank me for doing housework (which I do regularly because she cannot do much due to illness, and my dad won't); she would actually criticize me for HOW it was done....

If you contract out, or choose to hire a cleaner (probably above your pay level), I would look for people with experience in hospitals/rest homes/hotels as these people have the skills to meet the golden question.

This isn't exactly for turning a unit, but I'm sure Mega Leaser Stephanie can help you out...

That was very entertaining!! I reached out to some local apartment communities and got what I was looking/hoping for.

Hi Tru,
Would you mind sharing what you found, so that the next person who is looking will be helped?

Tru,

I guess you are looking for a good checklist? There should be two. One for what is required of the resident and then one you would hire a contractor for if needed. The one thing I would ensure and that is your cleaning service is not scheduled until everything else has been done to the unit to avoid additional cleaning.

I can provide you with a resident cleaning list and a contracted cleaning list. If using contract cleaning then you want to ensure they have a quality control person and you want to ensure from your side you have a good quality assurance person that at a minimum ensure the contractor is performing as outlined in the contract. You want to have penalties in place for their not performing as well.

If you stay close to a military base a lot of times they have lists of cleaning people which do their privitized housing.

So, it is one thing to have a list and it is another thing to put it into use where it will save instead of costing you more money!

If you could provide them two for me that would be great. The one's that I received were general cleaning guides which were a little help. My e-mail address is [email protected]

List was sent to your email. Let me know if there is a problem or questions!

Can I also have a Cleaning guide for turning an apartment for myself and one for contractors> [email protected]

Hello...

I'm the MS for a 19 building - 264 unit, 50 y/o complex in NJ and I'd be glad to run you through my typical apartment turnover inspection. I cannot stress enough that, even if you plan to use an outside cleaning service, you would be wise to use in-house personnel for inspecting an apartment's condition before and after cleaning/repairs to ensure no little "surprises" at your c/o inspection or at the move in walk-through.

Visually and physically inspect the entrance/porch for any masonry issues. Perform a physical check of any handrails. Inspect the condition of the mailbox and its fasteners. Ensure the doorbell works. Look closely at the Common entrance door, door glass, frame, auto-lock knob, hinges, closure and weather sealing.

Examine the common area(foyer) flooring. Inspect the current condition of the foyer baseboard heat register. If a second floor apartment, physically check the handrail for functionality and look at it for esthetic appeal and cleanliness. Examine the handrails hardware for loose screws and emerging faults. Check all foyer walls and ceilings for cracks, previous repairs that were inadequately performed and tenant damage which may have occurred during their move out.

Inspect the apartment door, frame and hinges. Lock inspection is not an issue for me as we are currently upgrading all apartment door knobs and deadbolts. Inspect chain lock and door stopper.

Fully examine and note all sheetrock walls and ceilings for current damage, inadequately performed previous repairs, nail pops, also drips and runs from prior improper painting practices. If these are minor or few I will simply list them on the Punch List. If they are extensive I will actually mark each one with a pencil directly on the area so on my pre-painting inspection I can check that all penciled areas have been remediated. If the drywall in a particular apartment is just too far gone, I will discuss the possibility of a partial or full "gut" with the PM.

Inspect the condition of the floor and window molding as well as closet shelving, poles and their wooden supports and brackets. Check the baseboard heaters for dents, leaks, cleanliness and possibility of damaged fins.

Check all electrical switches and outlets for functionality and aesthetic acceptability. A simple device called an Outlet Tester can be purchased from any retail supply store that will reveal functionality issues that may not be readily apparent. Ensure that all outlets within 6 feet of any sink are gfci protected. Replace all bulbs in light fixtures.

Thankfully, we have hardwood flooring in all areas except the kitchen and bath. Inspect these for gouges and scratches to determine if they can be damp-mopped by in-house personnel or will need our flooring contractor to buff and coat or sand, buff and coat.

Check all hollow core interior doors for splitting, tool markings and that they swing or slide freely and properly. Examine knobs and hinges or rollers and tracks for age, wear and damages. Ensure that locks are functional and strike plates are properly positioned.

Inspect all windows individually ensuring that all double-pane glass is present and that the seals are not broken. Make sure all locks are present and in working condition. Check window caulking for cracks. Visually inspect the aluminum window enclosure outside the windows for damages and/or failure of it's sealing caulk to prevent water infiltration.

Check kitchen flooring for cracked, warped or loose tiles. Inspect all cabinet boxes, doors, hinges, knobs, drawers and drawer hardware for damages. Inspect counter tops for burns, scratches, caulking and ensure that they are firmly attached to cabinetry. Check kitchen sink's faucet, sprayer and plumbing for leaks and the condition of its finish. Check refrigerator's cleanliness, that its seals are not cracked and that all bars are present and functional. Ensure that all elements, switches and burners on the stove are in proper working order. Check that the oven's seal works and that the oven is clean inside. Raise the range cover and make sure there is no debris or cooking oils beneath it. Note whether or not drip pans need replacing. Remove both appliances from there respective positions and ensure the areas are clean.

Inspect floor and wall tile in bathroom for cracks, broken tiles and missing or cracked grout. Check hot and cold knobs in tub and sink for leaks, damage and age. Ensure that all water-saving aerators and showerheads are present. Inspect condition of vanity and top, medicine cabinet, mirrors, towel bar, paper holder, soap dish and toothbrush holder. Check toilet for cracks, leaks at the tank bolts and the shut-off valve. Ensure that toilet fill valve is working properly as well as its flapper and handle. Check at the tub and toilet are properly caulked.

Ensure that all sinks and the tub drain swiftly.

Visually inspect that the Breaker Panel appears in proper working order and that its cover is securely attached. Ensure that the thermostat has been updated. Check the functionality and change the batteries in the thermostat, smoke detector and carbon dioxide detectors. Test the temperature of the A/C unit and ensure that its filter is clean.

Finally, as you exit the premises, take a look at what the rest of the complex looks like from the tenant's perspective. If anything looks out of place, correct it.

I hope I've omitted nothing and that this will help you to see that pre-made lists cannot compensate for a quality inspection process.

Excellent post Daniel! - I'm going to borrow these descriptions for my own inspection list.

This would also be a great help over in this thread: www.multifamilyinsiders.com/apartment-id...-need-your-feed-back

Thanks for sharing, this was hilarious!

that was awesome!