Reducing turnover and maintenance costs on rental units
Summary
Choose durable, standard finishes and use them in every unit. Keep a turnover checklist and schedule all trades back to back. Small preventive repairs cost less than emergency calls and violations.
Standardize
- One wall paint color and finish for every unit
- The same faucet, toilet, light fixture and cabinet hardware, with spares on hand
- Vinyl plank floors instead of carpet or hardwood
- Quartz or laminate counters that hold up to heavy use
Shorten vacancy
Inspect the unit on move-out day, prepare a single punch list, and schedule painting, repairs and cleaning back to back. Ordering standard parts in advance prevents most delays.
Cost-effective improvements
- LED lighting and timers in halls and stairs
- Fixing small leaks and caulking (opens an external site) before they damage ceilings
- Bathroom exhaust fans that vent properly, to prevent mold complaints (opens an external site)
- Clearing open violations (opens an external site) before they grow into fines
Interactive tool
Rental turnover scope builder
Enter the building and the items to include. The result is a turnover scope list, with the lead paint work New York City requires where the building is covered.
Result
Enter the year built to see whether the lead paint turnover work applies.
Turnover planning
- Inspect the unit on move-out day
- Prepare one punch list for the unit
- Schedule painting, repairs and cleaning back to back
- Order standard parts in advance
Scope items
- Paint: one wall color and finish for every unit
- Fix small leaks and caulk before they damage ceilings
- A bathroom exhaust fan that vents properly, to prevent mold complaints
This is a screening estimate, not a design or code determination. A licensed professional confirms every figure for your property.
The results are added to the description on the estimate form, where you can edit them before sending.
Upgrading or selling
Before a renovation for a sale or refinance, decide what buyers or appraisers value in your area and spend there first, usually kitchens, baths and anything flagged in inspections. Rent-stabilized units have extra rules on improvements; check them before you start.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a turnover take?
A paint-and-repair turnover often takes a few days. Floors, kitchens or baths take longer. Each estimate includes an expected schedule.
Do you work on occupied buildings?
Yes. We schedule work around tenants and keep common areas clean and safe.
Sources
4 sources
- Lead-Based Paint (opens an external site)NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
- Indoor Allergen Hazards: Mold and Pests (opens an external site)NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
- Clear Violations (opens an external site)NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (opens an external site)U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This guide reflects our experience and our interpretation of the rules as of the date it was published or last updated. Regulations, codes, incentives and the way agencies enforce them change often, and our interpretation may be incomplete or wrong. It is general information, not legal, engineering, tax or financial advice. Consult the relevant agency and a licensed professional before you plan, purchase or begin any work. Reading this guide does not make you our client and does not create any contractor, consulting or advisory relationship. Outstanding Construction Inc is not liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on this content, and is responsible only for work performed under a written contract signed with us.