Inspect the day keys come back, document the condition with photos, decide between a light turn and a value-add turn based on the rent you are targeting, then run paint, flooring, repairs and cleaning in that order so no trade undoes another's work. Check detectors, locks and water-saving fixtures on every single turn.
The checklist
Walk it and photograph everything. Itemize the security deposit. Rekey. Patch and paint. Repair or replace the flooring. Kitchen and bath fixtures. Caulk and grout. Check the appliances. New HVAC filter. Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Blinds. Deep clean. Final photos. List it.
The compliance items that bite
Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the right locations. Water-conserving toilets and showerheads. Working heat. And on a rent-stabilized unit, proper documentation of any capital improvement if you intend to apply for a pass-through later, because you cannot reconstruct that paperwork after the fact.
Los Angeles County figures, reviewed 2026-10-29 by America General Contractors, California contractor licence CSLB 1083262. Planning ranges, not a quote, and not legal advice. We confirm the current rules for your parcel before anything gets drawn.
