LogoTurnover
Vacancy Cost Report · 2026

$1,247

The average vacant unit costs $1,247 per month in lost rent — before maintenance, carrying costs, or leasing fees.

14 days

Average turnover gap

industry median

47%

Annual unit turnover rate

multifamily avg.

$3,872

Avg. cost per move-out

Zego 2023 report

Cleaning delays are the single most controllable variable in the turnover timeline. Every additional day a unit sits dirty is a day it cannot be shown, photographed, or leased. Turnover eliminates that delay — completely.

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Unit 4B·Two-Bedroom · Six-Year Tenancy

Six Years of Settled Life. Cleaned in Eight Hours.

📍Lincoln Park, Chicago🕐Tuesday, 7:00 AM⏱8 hrs 40 min total

A long-term tenant vacated a 2BR/1BA in Lincoln Park. The unit had not been deep-cleaned since move-in.

Empty kitchen after cleaning with white cabinets and spotless countertops

8:14 AM — Kitchen, after

Clean white bathroom with sparkling fixtures and restored grout lines

11:02 AM — Bath, grout restored

Grout lines in the kitchen and bath had oxidized to near-black. The oven interior had six years of accumulated bake-on. Baseboards throughout showed years of scuff and dust layering. The previous tenant had left the unit in what they considered "broom-clean" condition — which is not the same as lease-ready. By 3:40 PM, the unit had been photographed and listed.

"I listed it the same afternoon. Photographer came at 4. We had three applications by Friday."

Marcus Webb

Property Manager · 18 units, Chicago

Documented Results

Days to list after move-out
9 days0 days
Grout restoration score
34%97%
Days to signed lease
—4 days
Unit 11A·Three-Bedroom · Pet-Occupied · Lease Dispute

A Contested Move-Out. Photo-Ready in One Day.

📍Wicker Park, Chicago🕐Friday, 6:30 AM⏱11 hrs 15 min total

A 3BR/2BA with documented pet damage and odor. Prospective tenant had already toured — once.

Bright open living room in a freshly cleaned apartment with hardwood floors

9:30 AM — Living area, treated hardwood

Modern clean bedroom with white walls and spotless baseboards

2:45 PM — Primary bedroom, baseboard detail

The outgoing tenant had three large dogs for four years. Sub-floor odor had penetrated the baseboards and lower drywall sections. Carpet was removed by the property manager in advance. Our team handled enzymatic treatment on all hard surfaces, full oven and refrigerator interior cleaning, window track restoration, and a complete bathroom reseal. The prospective tenant who had toured once returned for a second showing on Saturday and signed Sunday.

"Three dogs for four years. I assumed we'd lose a month. We didn't lose a weekend."

Diane Kowalski

Independent Landlord · 6 units, Wicker Park

Documented Results

Odor neutralization (air test)
FailedPassed
Surface restoration score
41%94%
Hours from clean to signed lease
—36 hrs
What Gets Done

Every Surface. Every Corner. Documented.

The Turnover scope covers what standard cleaning skips — the oven glass, the grout lines, the baseboard edges, the window tracks. Everything a prospective tenant notices. Everything a listing photo captures.

KitchenHigh Priority
Oven interior — racks, glass, cavity, broiler drawer
Refrigerator interior and coil exterior
Range hood filter and exhaust vent
Cabinet faces and interior shelving
Grout lines — countertop and backsplash
Under-sink cabinet and drain area
Dishwasher interior including spray arms
BathroomsHigh Priority
Grout restoration — tile floor and shower surround
Toilet: bowl, tank, base, and seat hinge
Shower glass — hard water and soap scum removal
Exhaust fan grille and vent
Caulk line inspection and spot cleaning
Mirror and all glass surfaces
Cabinet and vanity interior
All Rooms
Baseboard edges — razor-clean finish
Window tracks, sills, and frames
Light switch plates and outlet covers
Door frames, handles, and kick plates
Closet interiors — shelves, rods, floors
HVAC vent grilles — all registers
Floors & Surfaces
Hardwood — cleaning and dry-buff finish
Tile — grout line restoration to original color
Vinyl/LVP — residue and adhesive removal
Carpet spot treatment (if applicable)
Threshold strips and transition pieces
Final Inspection
Room-by-room photo documentation
Odor neutralization confirmation
Checklist sign-off provided to property manager
Optional: same-day re-inspection available
Download the full room-by-room checklist
Client Results

Property Managers Who Stopped Losing Days.

"I manage 22 units across three buildings. Turnover is the only vendor I don't have to follow up with. They send photos before I even ask."

3 days

Avg. time to list after clean

PN

Priya Nair

Property Manager · 22 units, Lakeview

"Our real estate photographer now specifically requests Turnover cleans before shoots. The difference in listing photos is immediate."

31%

Faster average days-on-market

JC

Jordan Calloway

Real Estate Agent · @Properties Chicago

"I had a unit sitting for 11 days because I couldn't get a decent cleaner scheduled. Never again. Turnover has same-week availability, always."

$2,100

Estimated rent recovered per year

RO

Robert Osei

Independent Landlord · 8 units, Pilsen

500+Units cleaned in 2025
< 24hrTypical scheduling window
98%Photo-ready on first visit
4.9★Average client rating
Free Resource

The Turnover Inspection Checklist.

A printable, room-by-room cleaning inspection guide used by property managers across Chicago to document unit condition before and after every turnover. Includes sign-off fields, condition ratings, and photo reference points.

What's included

Room-by-room inspection criteria (8 rooms)
Pre and post-clean condition rating fields
Photo documentation reference guide
Tenant damage vs. normal wear checklist
Deposit deduction justification worksheet

Download · Free

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Ready When You Are.

Tell us about the unit. We'll respond within two business hours with a flat-rate quote — no inspections required, no hidden add-ons.

Flat-rate pricing

Quoted by bedroom count. No hourly surprises.

Photo documentation

Before and after sent within 1 hour of completion.

Same-week availability

Most units scheduled within 3 business days.

Re-clean guarantee

If it doesn't pass inspection, we return at no charge.

Response within 2 business hours. Flat-rate pricing, no obligation.

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