What is a turnover fee on an apartment?

A turnover fee is a charge written into some leases or property management agreements to cover preparing a unit between residents. Who pays it, and how much, depends on that document.

Whether a fee like that is allowed, and how it interacts with a security deposit, is a matter for the lease and the rules in DC, Maryland or Virginia, between the owner, the manager and the tenant.

What we provide is the record of the work: an itemised scope listing each repair the unit needed and its price. That list is useful when you decide what, if anything, is charged against a deposit.

For the deposit side, our guide to move-out and deposit rules in DC, Maryland and Virginia covers the return deadlines and inspection steps in each.