If you’re faced with an upcoming move-out, don’t despair. As long as you’re organized, getting your property rent-ready doesn’t have to be a lengthy ordeal. The key is making a list, scheduling each task and starting early — many repairs or maintenance items can be tackled before your current tenant moves out.

Download our checklist in advance, and start marking these items off your list!

Before your tenant moves out:

1. Conduct an informal walkthrough

As soon as you receive notice from your tenant, plan to walk through the unit and take note of any maintenance items. This is a good time to inform the tenant of any issues they’ll be responsible for, such as cleaning or landscaping responsibilities outlined in the lease. Make a list of everything else that falls in your landlord domain. Confirm the tenant’s move-out date and schedule the final inspection as well.

2. Schedule professional services

If getting your property in shape will require the services of a contractor, plumber, electrician, cleaning company or other pro, contact them as soon as possible to get on their schedule. Jobs like painting will have to wait until your tenant vacates the unit, but a leaky faucet, loose banister or dead outlet can be repaired in advance.

3. Purchase supplies

Don’t wait to buy paint, lightbulbs, new blinds or other items you’ll need to get the home ready for the next renter. Designate a space in your garage, and have all items assembled and ready to transport to the property when the time comes.

4. Clean up the yard

If your tenant isn’t responsible for lawn care, plan to spruce things up during the last week of their tenancy. Depending on the time of year, mow the grass, rake the leaves, prune overgrown shrubs or trees, pull weeds, remove dead plants, and spray out cracks in the patio, sidewalk or driveway (consider using weed killer in those areas).

5. Wash the windows and check the screens

While tenants should clean the interior side of the windows, the exterior is typically the landlord’s responsibility. In addition, inspect the window screens and replace any torn ones. Whether you tackle these jobs yourself or hire them out, they can be completed shortly before move-out.

6. Change the air filters

Clean or replace the filters in your HVAC system, and consider a full-service furnace tune-up or duct cleaning if it hasn’t been done in a while.

After your tenant moves out:

7. Re-key the locks

In addition to re-keying the exterior doors, change the codes for the garage door and alarm, if applicable, and have the tenant return the garage door opener. Collect keys for any other locking items, such as mailboxes, gates or sheds.

8. Paint and repair

Fill holes in the walls before painting, replace damaged or excessively stained carpet, recaulk around the tub or sinks, check for broken tiles and make any other repairs that couldn’t be completed while the previous tenant was still in the unit. If you noted these issues during your informal walkthrough, hopefully you purchased the necessary supplies and can finish the repairs within a day!

9. Get the carpets cleaned

Many landlords include a provision in the lease stating that the tenant will be responsible for the cost of carpet cleaning at move-out, in which case this can be deducted from the tenant’s security deposit. A thorough carpet cleaning is essential, especially if your previous tenant had pets.

10. Bring in a cleaning company

If you’re not confident that your renters will return the unit to its move-in condition, or if your final walkthrough leaves you thinking “ick,” bring in the pros. Like carpet cleaning, this may be something you include in your lease or otherwise can take out of the deposit. No new tenant wants to spend their first days in their home cleaning the previous renter’s grime.

With a little planning, the rental turnover process — while not exactly fun — will feel manageable, and your rental won’t sit vacant for more than a day (or less!).