Every week a property sits empty is a week of lost rent. The fastest re-lets happen when landlords plan the repairs before the old tenant has even moved out. So use this end of tenancy repairs checklist to get your property fixed, safe and ready for the next tenant.
Plan end of tenancy repairs before the tenant leaves
- First, book the check-out inspection for moving day, and compare it with the check-in inventory
- Then walk round with a notepad and your phone, and take photos of anything that needs work
- Finally, book your trades for the days straight after the move-out, not once you have the keys back
Fair wear and tear or damage?
You can’t charge a tenant for normal wear and tear, such as light scuffs, faded paint or carpet worn where people walk. However, you can claim for damage beyond that, such as burns, stains, holes in walls or broken fittings. So clear photos and a good inventory make all the difference if the tenant disputes the deposit. GOV.UK’s guide to tenancy deposit protection explains how disputes work.
The end of tenancy repairs checklist
Walls and decorating
- Fill holes left by pictures and shelves
- Touch up scuffs, or repaint rooms that look tired
- Treat any mould and find out what caused it
Kitchen and bathroom
- Replace mouldy or split sealant around the bath, shower and sink
- Re-grout where needed
- Check taps, shower heads and toilet flushes work properly
- Test the extractor fans
- Fix loose cupboard doors and hinges
Doors, windows and security
- Change the locks or have them re-keyed
- Check windows open, close and lock
- Ease any sticking doors
Floors
- Professionally clean the carpets, or replace them if they’re worn out
- Repair damaged or lifting flooring
Outside
- Tidy the garden and cut back hedges
- Clear the gutters and check fences and gates
End of tenancy repairs: safety checks to confirm
- Gas safety record in date, if there’s gas at the property
- Electrical safety report (EICR) in date. You need a new one at least every five years
- A working smoke alarm on every floor used as living space
- A carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed fuel-burning appliance, such as a boiler or log burner (gas cookers aren’t included)
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in date
Once you finish your end of tenancy repairs, test all the alarms on the day the new tenancy starts. Also, keep a record that you did.
Do your end of tenancy repairs in the right order
Repairs first, then decorating, then flooring, then the final clean. Otherwise, you end up paying to clean twice. Our post on planning work in the right order goes into more detail.
One visit, one quote, one invoice
So rather than chasing a painter, a plumber and a locksmith separately, send Propfix your list. We’ll price the lot, line the trades up back to back and keep the empty weeks to a minimum. We cover Harrow, Ruislip, Uxbridge and Watford. Start on our Get a quote page, or read our guide to landlord maintenance.
End of tenancy repairs: frequently asked questions
How long do end of tenancy repairs take?
For a typical flat or house that needs light repairs and decorating, often a few days if you book the trades in advance. However, bigger jobs take longer.
Can I take repair costs from the deposit?
Only for damage beyond fair wear and tear, and only with evidence. Also, if the tenant disagrees, the deposit scheme will decide.
Should I repaint between every tenancy?
Not always. If the walls are clean and only lightly marked, then touching up may be enough.
