---
title: "What Is Make-ready? Landlord and Renter Glossary"
description: "Make-ready is the cleaning, painting and repair work done between one tenant and the next to get a home rent-ready for the new lease."
url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/make-ready
publisher: Real Property Management Gold
phone: +1-301-392-2172
assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment
---

Maintenance

# Make-ready

Make-ready is the cleaning, painting and repair work done between one tenant and the next to get a home rent-ready for the new lease.

Make-ready is the work between one tenant moving out and the next moving in. It usually includes a deep clean, paint touch-ups, carpet or floor care, small repairs, lock changes and a check of safety items like smoke detectors. The goal is a [rent-ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-ready) home.

It is also where the deposit decision starts. At move-out, an inspector compares the home with the original [move-in inspection](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/move-in-inspection). The cost of repairing real damage can come from the security deposit. The cost of ordinary aging, covered in [normal wear and tear](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/normal-wear-and-tear), falls to the owner.

Speed matters because every empty day is lost rent. A good manager lines up vendors and orders materials before the tenant leaves, so work can start on day one. Ask what the make-ready process is, who approves costs and how long it usually takes. Our [rent-ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/what-is-rent-ready) guide shows what the finished home should look like.

[Read nextWhat Does Rent Ready Mean? A Maintenance and Turnover Checklist for Maryland Owners](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/what-is-rent-ready)

## Related terms

-   [Rent-ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-ready)
-   [Move-in inspection](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/move-in-inspection)
-   [Normal wear and tear](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/normal-wear-and-tear)
-   [Vacancy rate](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/vacancy-rate)

## Ask what your home could rent for. Free.

A free rental assessment from our offices in Lexington Park and Waldorf. No cost, no contract, no pressure.

[Request a free assessment](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment)[(301) 392-2172](tel:+13013922172)