As a Rental Owner, What Are the Minimum Costs I Should Be Prepared to Cover for Each Tenant Turnover?

Audience: rental property owners who want to understand the baseline, unavoidable expenses associated with tenant turnover — regardless of tenant behavior, property age, or wear levels.

Even well-maintained properties experience wear over time. Tenant turnover is a standard aspect of rental property ownership, and certain expenses occur with every transition between occupants.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does every turnover incur costs, even with responsible tenants? Yes. Some expenses are unavoidable regardless of tenant quality.

Can turnover ever cost $0? Extremely unlikely. Even the most careful tenants leave normal wear and tear.

Do long-term tenancies increase or decrease turnover costs? Long-term tenancies typically increase turnover costs, as extended occupancy results in more accumulated wear.

Are optional upgrades required? Optional upgrades may be declined. However, required cleaning, safety updates, and habitability repairs must be completed.

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Baseline Turnover Cost Categories

The following categories represent the minimum costs associated with preparing a property for new tenants.

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1. Standard Cleaning

Properties rarely meet listing-ready standards without professional cleaning.

Minimum cleaning typically includes:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Baseboards
• Windowsills
• Light fixtures
• Floors
• Appliances

Typical minimum cost:

• $150–$350 for basic turnovers
• $350–$650 for larger or heavily soiled properties

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2. Carpet or Floor Cleaning

Professional carpet cleaning is standard for most turnovers.

Benefits include:

• Removal of accumulated dirt from normal use
• Sanitization for incoming tenants
• Odor reduction
• Achievement of listing standards

Typical minimum cost: $100–$250, depending on property size

Note: If carpet is older, frayed, or heavily stained, replacement may be recommended, though this exceeds minimum baseline costs.

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3. Paint Touch-Ups or Repainting

Properties accumulate visible wear even during short tenancies:

• Scuffs and marks
• Nail holes
• Marks near light switches
• Faded or discolored patches

Touch-ups may suffice for recently painted properties. However, if the paint is more than 3–5 years old, full repainting is often necessary for market readiness.

Minimum expectations:

• Touch-ups: $50–$150
• Full repaint (when necessary): $1,200–$3,000 (size-dependent)

Repainting represents one of the largest baseline expenses.

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4. General Repairs for Normal Wear

Standard maintenance items include:

• Adjusting loose hinges
• Minor wall repairs
• Re-caulking
• Replacing broken or aged window blinds
• Repairing doorknobs
• Updating light fixtures
• Fixing minor leaks or drips

These small items accumulate even with careful property use.

Typical minimum cost: $75–$300

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5. Safety Compliance Updates

Turnover periods provide an opportunity—and often a requirement—to update safety equipment:

• Smoke detectors
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Detector batteries
• Fire safety compliance per local code

These items must be updated at regular intervals according to regulations.

Typical cost: $30–$150

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6. Landscaping & Exterior Maintenance

Properties require adequate curb appeal for showings.

Standard light maintenance includes:

• Lawn mowing
• Leaf removal
• Branch trimming
• Weed clearing

Minimum cost: $50–$150

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7. Utility Costs During Vacancy

Property owners bear responsibility for utilities when properties are unoccupied.

Typical utilities include:

• Electric
• Water
• Gas (where applicable)

Even brief vacancy periods generate baseline utility expenses.

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8. Marketing Preparation

High-quality listing photos increase rental rates and reduce vacancy duration.

Preparation may include:

• Light staging
• Debris removal
• Final touch-up cleaning
• Professional photography

Properties must be turnover-ready before photography can occur.

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Total Minimum Turnover Cost Estimates

For properties in good condition, typical baseline turnover costs are:

• $300–$1,000 for low-wear turnovers
• $1,000–$2,500 for standard turnovers
• $2,500–$5,000+ for long-term or high-wear turnovers

These figures exclude major repairs or property upgrades.

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Factors That Increase Turnover Costs

Turnover expenses are influenced by:

• Length of tenancy
• Pet occupancy
• Flooring age
• Paint age
• Appliance condition
• Number of occupants
• Property age
• Whether updates were completed before the previous tenancy

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Non-Optional Turnover Items

The following items must be completed before re-leasing:

• Deep cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Safety device updates
• Repairs affecting habitability
• Mold or moisture remediation
• Flooring repairs to eliminate trip hazards
• Leak or plumbing repairs
• Restoration of essential appliance functionality

Declining these items delays re-leasing and may violate legal habitability standards.

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