Who Pays An Eviction Turnover Fee?

eviction turnover fee is a charge levied after an eviction to restore the unit to market‑ready condition, covering cleaning, minor repairs, and removal of abandoned property. Typically, the departing tenant pays this fee unless the lease explicitly assigns it elsewhere; landlords must disclose the fee in the lease and may bill only the actual cost incurred (Nolo on eviction turnover fees).

For example, a landlord in Texas might bill $500 for carpet cleaning, $300 for wall patching, and $250 for trash disposal, totaling $1,050 - well within the common $500‑$2,000 range. If the lease contains a turnover clause, the tenant sees the expected amount before signing; without such a clause, the landlord must provide a detailed invoice after the unit is cleared.

The lease holds the rulebook for any eviction turnover fee.

Locate the clause, decode the language, and verify the cost before the notice hits your inbox.

1. Search the document's fee sections - look under headings such as 'Fees,' 'Turnover,' 'Vacancy,' or 'Cleaning.' (If the lease hides the term, a quick 'Ctrl‑F' does the trick.)
2. Read the surrounding paragraph - termination, notice period, and unit‑restoration language often dictate who bears the expense.
3. Spot responsibility cues - phrases like 'tenant shall pay the eviction turnover fee' or 'landlord may assess' reveal the liable party.
4. Cross‑check the amount - typical fees sit between $500 and $2,000; any figure outside that band warrants a closer look or a lawyer's eye.

As we covered above, the eviction turnover fee is a distinct charge, not a generic cleaning cost. The next section breaks down who usually ends up paying it.

In most evictions the eviction turnover fee falls on the tenant, but only when the lease or local statutes assign that duty. A lease clause that names the fee makes the tenant responsible; without such language many states deem it a landlord expense or let the court decide how to allocate it (as we covered in the lease‑check section).

• Lease explicitly includes a turnover‑fee provision → tenant pays, typically $500‑$2,000.
• Lease silent on the fee and state law treats it as a landlord cost → landlord covers it.
• Court orders the fee to be deducted from the security deposit → landlord recovers the amount from the tenant indirectly.
• Judgment splits liability between parties → each party pays its proportion.
• Landlord cannot prove tenant caused the vacancy → landlord assumes the fee.

For state‑specific guidance, see Nolo's overview of eviction turnover fee rules.

State statutes decide whether the evicted tenant or the landlord ultimately foots the bill. In Texas, Florida and most Mid‑West states, the law permits landlords to charge a turnover fee that the lease labels 'non‑refundable', provided the amount approximates documented cleaning or repair costs. Landlords typically invoice $500‑$2,000, attach receipts, and retain the charge even after a security‑deposit dispute (see Nolo's eviction fee guide).

California, New York and several city ordinances swing the burden back toward the property owner. California Civil Code §1950.5 forces landlords to itemize deductions and forbids flat 'turnover' fees unless the cost is verifiable (California Civil Code 1950.5). New York's 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act strips away any fixed fee; landlords may only deduct actual cleaning expenses from the security deposit, making non‑refundable turnover charges generally unenforceable (NY Real Property Law 235‑e). In Chicago, the ordinance bans non‑refundable cleaning fees altogether, requiring any charge to match documented labor and material costs (Chicago Housing Code).

The eviction turnover fee typically falls between $500 and $2,000 for a single‑family unit (see Nolo guide on eviction turnover fees).

• **Cleaning and trash removal** - $200  -  $500; costs rise with extensive debris or pest remediation.
• **Lock replacement and key re‑keying** - $100  -  $250; locksmith rates vary by city.
• **Minor repairs (wall patches, carpet cleaning, fixture replacement)** - $150  -  $600; depends on damage beyond normal wear.
• **Administrative processing (court filings, notice preparation)** - $50  -  $150; landlord overhead often included.
• **Professional inspection or compliance checks** - $100  -  $300; required in jurisdictions with strict health codes.

Because lease clauses and local statutes often dictate which party bears each line item, renters should compare the estimate to their agreement before assuming responsibility.

• Damage exceeding normal wear and tear, documented by a move‑out inspection, typically triggers an eviction turnover fee in the $500 - $2,000 range.
• Unpaid rent that remains after the security‑deposit offset may be applied to turnover costs in some states, though many jurisdictions restrict charges to provable damages only.
• Refusal to surrender keys or otherwise block entry, when the lease contains a re‑letting clause, can lead the landlord to bill a turnover fee for re‑listing the unit.
• Breach of pet or smoking rules that results in extensive cleaning may justify a turnover charge, usually falling between $500 and $1,000, provided the violation is well‑evidenced.
• Certain states permit recovery of post‑eviction expenses such as advertising or attorney fees, while others prohibit them; checking local statutes or consulting a tenant‑rights organization is advisable.

Below are three brief accounts of tenants who fought eviction turnover fees. Maria, a single mother in Ohio, received a $1,200 bill after a 30‑day notice and lost half her savings trying to contest it. In Texas, Jamal signed a lease without a turnover clause, yet the landlord still charged $800, forcing him to move out early. His story mirrors the pattern we described earlier, where landlords sometimes impose fees despite ambiguous contract language.

Lena, renting a one‑bedroom in Los Angeles, faced a $2,000 demand because the landlord claimed carpet replacement was needed. She documented the carpet's condition, negotiated the fee down to $1,300, and still spent months paying it off. These real‑world examples show how eviction turnover fees can quickly outpace security deposits, typically leaving tenants scrambling for cash.

Avoiding an eviction turnover fee means staying ahead of problems before they trigger a charge. The key is to keep the property in rentable shape and the tenancy stable, so the fee never becomes due.

1. Conduct a pre‑move‑in walkthrough, document existing wear, and require the tenant to sign the checklist. This creates a baseline that protects against blame later.
2. Schedule quarterly inspections, note any damage, and address repairs while the lease is active. Prompt fixes typically stop issues from escalating into eviction‑level violations.
3. Offer a written 'repair‑request' procedure that outlines response times; clear expectations often reduce resident frustration and the chance of deliberate property damage.
4. Enforce rent‑payment reminders and late‑fee notices automatically; consistent cash flow may prevent the financial distress that fuels evictions.
5. Provide a move‑out cleaning add‑on at a modest price (e.g., $300‑$500) instead of a mandatory turnover fee; tenants usually prefer a voluntary service to a penalty (see Nolo's guide on eviction turnover fees).

These steps keep the unit market‑ready and the tenant motivated, dramatically lowering the risk of an eviction turnover fee.

Challenging an eviction turnover fee typically starts with a close review of the lease and applicable state statutes.

1. **Collect every piece of evidence.** Keep the signed lease, the move‑out inspection checklist, photographs of the unit, and receipts for any repairs or cleaning performed. Fees generally fall between $500 and $2,000, so a clear paper trail matters.
2. **Ask the landlord for an itemized bill.** Most states require a written breakdown within 30 days of demand; an undocumented charge often fails legal scrutiny.
3. **Match each cost to actual damage.** Compare the landlord's list with the evidence; any charge that exceeds the documented condition likely violates the lease or local law.
4. **Submit a formal dispute letter.** Cite the specific lease clause, the relevant state provision, and attach supporting documents. A concise, factual tone strengthens the case.
5. **Explore mediation services.** Many municipalities run free or low‑cost landlord‑tenant mediation programs that can resolve fee disputes without court involvement.
6. **File a claim in small‑claims court if needed.** Include the itemized bill, photos, and the dispute letter; the court will assess whether the fee is reasonable.
7. **Consider an appeal after judgment.** Some jurisdictions allow an appeal within a limited window if new evidence emerges or the court misapplied the law.

(For detailed guidance on filing a small‑claims suit, see Nolo's small‑claims eviction fee guide.)

Having exhausted these steps, the next section explains what happens when the fee is successfully removed.

Skipping the eviction turnover fee triggers a chain of landlord actions that can quickly become costly.

• Landlord files a small‑claims suit, potentially adding court fees of $200‑$400 to the original amount.
• Judgment may lead to wage garnishment or a lien on personal property, extending the debt beyond the rental unit.
• Credit report reflects the unpaid fee, dropping the score by 30‑50 points and hindering future rentals.
• Security deposit gets applied first, often leaving nothing for the tenant's move‑out expenses.
• Collection agency involvement raises the balance, sometimes by 10‑25 % in added fees.

Facing these fallout scenarios, documenting every communication and requesting a written settlement offer can buy time and possibly reduce the final bill. Acting early prevents escalation and keeps the financial hit manageable.

Landlords generally pick up the eviction turnover fee items that aren't tied to tenant‑caused damage - painting a fresh coat, fixing ordinary wear, and turning the unit back into marketable condition. Those expenses usually come out of the security deposit or the landlord's operating budget, not the tenant's bill, unless the lease explicitly shifts responsibility.

Exact obligations shift depending on state laws and lease language, so the amount can swing widely. A typical range sits between $500 and $2,000, but larger units or high‑end finishes push the number higher. Review local statutes or consult an attorney to pin down the precise split (see state-specific eviction fee guidelines). As we covered above, understanding these hidden costs helps avoid surprise charges when the tenant leaves.

the landlord typically pays the eviction turnover fee because only part of the rental unit is being cleared, leaving the remaining space occupied (as we covered above about who pays in typical evictions). Some leases embed a clause that shifts the cost to the tenant, so a careful read‑through can reveal an unexpected charge. Depending on state law, courts may still assign the fee to the landlord if the tenant's occupancy isn't disrupted, but a few jurisdictions allow a prorated split based on square footage.

Expect the fee to fall within the $500‑$2,000 range that landlords usually charge for cleaning, repairs, and re‑listing a partially vacated unit. If the lease expressly obligates the tenant, the landlord can demand payment, though tenants often contest it during the eviction hearing. For detailed guidance on how partial evictions affect turnover fees, see partial eviction fee guidelines.