Definition:
Turn time (which is also referred to as unit make-ready time) is the number of calendar days that elapse between a resident's move-out and the unit becoming rent-ready and available for a new occupancy. It encompasses all activities in the unit preparation workflow: inspection, cleaning, paint, flooring, maintenance repairs, appliance checks, and final punch-through. Communities typically track turn time as both a total average and segmented by unit type, floor plan, or renovation scope.
Why it matters:
Every day a unit sits in the turn process is a day of lost rent, and at current average rent levels across most major markets, that cost compounds quickly. Beyond direct revenue loss, slow turn times strain leasing momentum: if incoming residents are waiting on delayed move-in dates, it creates operational friction, damages the initial resident experience, and can trigger early notice-to-vacate activity. Tracking turn time by unit type and maintenance team allows operators to identify bottlenecks - whether in vendor coordination, supply chain delays, or internal inspection processes, and implement targeted improvements. Reducing average turn time by even two to three days across a 200-unit community can represent meaningful annual revenue recovery.
