Tenants Just Left? Here's How to Turn Your London Rental Around Fast.
- excelchoicebm
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Every day your rental sits empty costs you money.
In London, Ontario, the average rent for a 2-bedroom is over $2,000/month. That's $66 per day gone while you're waiting. And most landlords lose 5–10 days just because they don't have a clear turnover plan.
This guide fixes that.
Here's exactly what to do — in order — so you can get your unit clean, repaired, photographed, and re-listed as fast as possible.
Step 1: Inspect the Moment They Hand Back the Keys
Don't wait. Walk through with your phone and document everything before anything gets touched.
You're looking for two things: damage beyond normal wear, and how deep the clean needs to go.
Photograph every room before anything is touched
Check inside the oven, fridge, and under sinks
Test all appliances, taps, and light switches
Smell for pet odour or smoke — these need specialist treatment
Book your clean the same day. Don't wait until Day 3.
We work around your timeline.
Step 2: Clean First. Repair Second. Always in That Order.
Most landlords lose 3–5 days here by doing it backwards. Repairs before cleaning means you're dirtying up fresh work. Clean first, then fix what shows.
💡 Ontario law requires your unit to be in good repair before a new tenant moves in. It's not optional — it's the RTA.
Done right, Steps 1 and 2 take 48 hours. Not a week.
What a professional turnover clean covers
• Full kitchen deep clean — inside oven, fridge, all cabinets
• Bathroom scrub — grout, fixtures, behind the toilet
• All floors swept, mopped, or vacuumed
• Baseboards, window sills, and door frames wiped down
• Light fixtures, vents, and ceiling fans dusted
Pet odour or smoke treatment if needed (ask about this specifically)
Handle Repairs in the Right Order
After the clean is done, tackle repairs from biggest visual impact to smallest. New tenants and listing photos are both judging on first impression.
High impact — do these before photos
• Touch-up paint on scuffed walls (match the existing colour exactly)
• Replace any burnt-out light bulbs — dark rooms kill listings
• Fix dripping taps and running toilets — they're heard in showings
• Replace damaged blinds or curtain rods
Secondary — do these before move-in
• Re-caulk bath or shower if grout is cracking
• Replace worn door seals or window stripping
• Check and test smoke detectors and CO alarms
Deep clean or replace furnace filter
Step 3: Photograph It Fresh — Then List Everywhere at Once
Listings with quality photos get up to 60% more inquiries. You don't need a photographer — you need good light and a clean unit.
Shoot morning or afternoon for natural light
Open every blind — light makes rooms look bigger
Cover every room including storage and parking
Post the same day on Rentals.ca, Zumper, Kijiji, and Facebook Marketplace
Why London Landlords Call Excel Choice Between Every Tenant
We're not a general cleaning company that also does rentals. Rental turnovers are one of our core services — and we've built our process around what London property owners actually need.
What makes us different
• We know what London property managers look for — because they refer their landlords to us
• Fully insured and WSIB covered — your property is protected
• We work around your timeline — need it done in 48 hours? Tell us.
• No surprise charges — you get a clear quote before we start
We serve all London neighbourhoods — Old North to Lambeth to Hyde Park
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a rental turnover clean take in London, ON?
Most 1–2 bedroom units take 3–5 hours with a professional team.
Larger homes or units with heavy pet damage or grease buildup
take longer. We'll give you a time estimate when you book.
Can I book same-week in ?
We do our best, Book as early as you can.
Even calling 5–7 days before your tenant leaves gives us enough
notice to fit you in.
Do I need to be there during the clean?
No. Most of our landlord clients drop off keys or give us an entry code.
We'll send you a completion message when we're done
and flag anything that needs your attention.
What's not included in a standard turnover clean?
Carpet steam cleaning, pet odour enzyme treatment, and
post-construction debris removal are add-ons.
Just mention what you're dealing with when you book and
we'll quote accordingly.
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