Rental property cleanout checklist for landlords and property managers

Short answer: document the unit, confirm you can legally remove what was left, clear junk before cleaners and repair crews come in, then do a final walk with photos. Clearing first keeps every other trade from working around piles.

1. Before anyone touches anything

• Confirm the tenant is out. Keys returned, move-out date passed, or the eviction completed.
• Check your lease and Texas law about property left behind. Some items may need to be stored or noticed first. When in doubt, ask your attorney.
• Walk the unit and take photos of every room, closet, appliance, the garage, patio and yard. Date-stamped photos support deposit deductions.
• Note damage separately from junk. Your deposit itemization needs both.

2. Sort what was left

• Tenant valuables or documents (IDs, photos, mail): set aside and follow your lease's process.
• Landlord-owned items (appliances, blinds, fixtures): mark stays.
• Usable furniture: it can be donated.
• Trash, broken furniture, mattresses: haul.
• Paint, chemicals, propane, tires: separate. Most haulers can't take them. See restricted items.

3. Clear the junk, room by room

Work from the back of the unit to the door:

• Bedrooms: mattresses, frames, dressers, closet shelves full of stuff.
• Bathrooms: toiletries, shower caddies, bath mats.
• Kitchen: food in the fridge, freezer and pantry (do this first if the power is off). Cookware and small appliances.
• Living areas: couches, TVs, rugs, entertainment centers.
• Garage and storage: boxes, tools, old paint (separate it), bikes.
• Patio and yard: grills, planters, furniture, brush piles, trash bags.

A crew can do all of this in one visit, usually in a few hours for an apartment. We load everything from the unit, so your maintenance team doesn't have to.

4. Then bring in the trades

• Pest treatment if there were signs of roaches or rodents.
• Repairs: holes, doors, fixtures, flooring.
• Paint and carpet, then cleaning last.

5. Final walk-through

• Photograph each room again for your file.
• Test appliances, HVAC, smoke detectors and locks.
• Re-key the unit.
• Send the deposit accounting on time. In Texas, landlords generally have 30 days after the tenant surrenders the unit to refund the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions.

Make turnovers faster next time

• Keep a standing order with one hauler, so a text with photos books the job.
• Batch units when several turn over in the same week to get a lower cost per unit.
• Put a move-out reminder in your notice letter. It tells tenants that items left behind will be removed at their cost under the lease.

Book a turnover cleanout

PickUp Haulers works with landlords, apartment communities and property managers in Pflugerville, Round Rock, Cedar Park and Austin. Text photos to (512) 861-7732, or see what a property cleanout costs.