A unit that needs more than a turnover clean
Property managers sometimes open a unit after a move-out, abandonment, death or lease ending and find it packed with belongings, trash and spoiled food. Waste, pests and odor are often part of the picture. Standard turnover crews are not equipped to handle that safely, and asking maintenance staff to dig in can expose them to needles, waste and rodent material.
We work in apartments, single-family rentals, duplexes, condos, mobile homes, senior housing, student housing and extended-stay units across Middle Tennessee.
Before the cleanout: possession and belongings
We begin once you, as owner or manager, have lawful possession and confirm that the remaining contents can be removed. How abandoned property must be handled depends on your situation and local rules, so check with your attorney before authorizing disposal. We do not advise on leases or evictions.
Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires tenants to keep their part of the premises clean and safe and to dispose of garbage properly, but the Act applies only in certain counties. Your attorney can tell you how it applies to your property.
Our rental cleanout steps
- Scope the unit We walk the unit, note hazards and agree on what to remove and what to set aside.
- Trash-out Contents and debris are bagged and removed, starting with paths to exits.
- Biohazard and pest cleanup Waste, droppings and soiled materials are removed with protective equipment and wet methods where rodents were active.
- Remove damaged finishes if approved Saturated carpet and pad, damaged drywall or soiled fixtures can come out when they are the source of contamination or odor.
- Deep clean and deodorize Kitchens, baths, floors and walls are cleaned and then disinfected, and odor sources are addressed.
- Photo documentation You receive before-and-after photos and a written summary for your files.
Conditions we commonly find in rentals
- Refrigerators full of spoiled food
- Pet waste and urine-soaked carpet
- Rodent or cockroach activity
- Plumbing fixtures that stopped working
- Water damage hidden under stacked items
- Drug paraphernalia or needles
Safety notes for staff
Maintenance staff should not start removing items until the unit has been checked for needles, waste and rodent activity. CDC advises against sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings, and needles should only be handled with proper tools and puncture-resistant containers. If you see paraphernalia, our needle cleanup page explains how sharps are handled.
What helps us move quickly
- Keep utilities on in the unit if possible.
- Provide parking or loading access near the door.
- Tell neighboring residents about the work if odor or noise may affect them.
- Share any deadlines for repairs or a new lease.
- Let us know about any items the former tenant has asked to collect, so we can set them aside and keep them separate from everything else in the unit.
After we leave
Flooring, drywall, paint and appliance replacement are handled by your maintenance team or contractors. Pest follow-up goes to your pest control company. If the former tenant died in the unit, see our apartment death cleanup page. For property managers with many units, our property management services page explains how we support portfolios.
Insurance responses to hoarding conditions vary and are often limited, so check the policy before assuming coverage. Our photos and written summary can support that conversation either way.