← Blog · Landlords

The make-ready checklist: turning a rental between tenants

· 4 min read

Paint roller resting in a tray of white paint

Every day a rental sits empty between tenants is a day of lost rent. A good make-ready, the work done between one tenant moving out and the next moving in, is how you keep that gap short and set up the next lease for success. Here's the checklist I work from.

Before the old tenant leaves

  • Schedule a pre-move-out walkthrough so you can line up vendors early.
  • Start marketing as soon as the move-out date is confirmed.
  • Pull the move-in condition report and photos to compare against.

What Texas requires

  • Rekey the locks within 7 days after each tenant turnover, at the landlord's expense (§92.156).
  • Test the smoke alarms at the start of the new tenant's possession (§92.258). Homes need at least one in each bedroom, one in the hallway serving the bedrooms, and one on each level (§92.255).
  • Check the required security devices, such as keyed deadbolts, door viewers and sliding-door locks, and make sure they work.
  • Settle the old tenant's deposit. Refund it or send an itemized list of deductions within 30 days of move-out (§92.103).

The walkthrough list

  • HVAC: new filter, and service it before summer. In Wichita Falls, the AC is the call you least want to get.
  • Plumbing: check under sinks for leaks, run every faucet, check the water heater, and look for running toilets.
  • Walls: patch holes and touch up paint. Keep a record of paint colors and sheen for the next turn.
  • Floors: clean or replace carpet as needed. LVP holds up better on turnovers.
  • Windows and blinds: replace broken blinds, and check screens and window locks.
  • Appliances: test each one and deep clean the oven and fridge.
  • Exterior: mow, trim, clear gutters, and check exterior lights and the fence.
  • Pest control: treat before the new tenant moves in.
  • Final clean: a professional clean pays for itself in showings.
Photograph everything after the make-ready. Those photos become your listing and your move-in record.

Make the next turn easier

Choose durable finishes: semi-gloss paint in kitchens and baths, LVP flooring, and standard blinds and fixtures you can replace quickly. Every dollar saved on the next make-ready goes straight to your return.

Want a hand turning your rental? Reach out. Make-readies are a big part of what we do at Wortham Property Management.

General information, not legal advice. Local codes and your lease may add requirements.