Rental Unit Turnover Checklist for Calgary Landlords
Everything to do between one tenant moving out and the next moving in, in the order that keeps the unit empty for the fewest days.
Quick summary: Do the move-out inspection with the tenant, send the deposit statement within 10 days, clear the unit, repair before you paint, paint before you clean, then rekey the locks and do the move-in inspection. Running those steps in order is what turns a two-week turnover into a few days.
Before the tenant leaves
- Confirm the move-out date and time in writing, and book the move-out inspection for that day.
- Pull the signed move-in inspection report. You need it to claim damage.
- Send the tenant a short move-out checklist: clean inside appliances and cabinets, remove everything, return all keys and fobs.
- Book your trades now, not after the keys come back. Every day a unit sits empty while you find a painter is lost rent.
Move-out day
- Walk the unit with the tenant, room by room, comparing it to the move-in report.
- Photograph everything with dates: walls, floors, appliances inside and out, bathrooms, closets.
- Note normal wear separately from damage. Faded paint and light scuffs are wear; holes, burns and broken fixtures are damage.
- Both sign the move-out report. Collect every key, fob and garage remote.
In Alberta you have 10 days after the tenant leaves to return the deposit with interest, or send a written statement of what you're keeping and why. See Government of Alberta: Ending a tenancy.
The turnover, in the right order
- Clear it out. Remove anything left behind. Goods of real value have rules; see the CPLEA guide to abandoned goods. Our junk removal crew photographs everything first.
- Repairs and drywall. Patch holes, fix doors, hinges, blinds and fixtures. Compound needs drying time, so start early. See drywall repair.
- Paint. Touch-ups if you use one standard colour and sheen, a full repaint if not. See interior painting.
- Flooring. Clean carpet or replace it; many landlords switch to waterproof LVP. See flooring installation.
- Deep clean last. After trades, so dust and paint don't undo it. See the move-out cleaning checklist.
- Safety checks. Test smoke and CO alarms, check window latches and the furnace filter.
- Locks. Rekey or change them before new keys go out. See lock changes and rekeys.
- Final photos and listing. Take listing photos the day the clean finishes.
How long a turnover should take
Most of a slow turnover is waiting between trades. When cleaning, paint, patching and repairs are booked as one job and run in order, a standard apartment or condo can be ready in 24 to 72 hours. Flooring replacement or bigger repairs add time. That's how our unit turnover service works.
Keep these records
Keep the signed move-in and move-out reports, dated photos, invoices for repairs you're deducting, and the deposit statement. If a tenant disputes a deduction at the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service, those are your evidence.
Get a free quote
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Frequently asked questions
What should a landlord do between tenants?
Inspect with the outgoing tenant, document damage, send the deposit statement within 10 days, clear the unit, repair, paint, clean, test alarms, rekey the locks and inspect with the new tenant.
How long does a rental turnover take?
Two weeks or more when trades are booked one at a time. A few days when they are run in order as one job.
Should I paint or clean first?
Repair and paint first, then clean. Cleaning last removes the dust and drips from the trades.
Do I have to change the locks between tenants in Alberta?
It is strongly recommended, since former tenants may still have keys. Rekeying is usually the quickest, cheapest option.
Last updated November 4, 2026. More answers on our FAQ page.