Preparing a Rental Property for New Tenants

Getting a rental property ready for new tenants involves more than a quick clean and a change of locks. Done properly, it protects your investment, reduces the risk of early maintenance issues, and ensures your new tenants move in to a property that meets their expectations — and your legal obligations.

This checklist covers the key tasks to complete before handing over the keys.

1. Professional Cleaning

The property should be professionally cleaned to a high standard before the new tenancy begins. This gives the incoming tenant a fair baseline and protects your position if cleaning is disputed at the end of the tenancy.

A thorough end of tenancy clean covers kitchens, bathrooms, all rooms, floors, skirting boards, and internal windows. If the property has carpets, include professional carpet cleaning. If the property has been empty for some time or is in poor condition, a deep clean may be more appropriate.

2. Maintenance and Repairs

Walk through every room and make a note of anything that isn't working or isn't up to standard. Common items include:

• Dripping taps or plumbing issues — book a plumber to resolve before move-in
• Damaged or stiff doors and locks — our locks and doors service covers adjustment, repairs, and replacements
• Scuffed or damaged walls — touch up paintwork or, where necessary, redecorate with our painting and decorating service
• Damaged flooring — assess whether repairs or replacement are needed via our flooring service
• Broken or damaged tiles — address with our tiling service
• Garden or external areas — clear and tidy via our garden clearance service

3. Compliance Checks

Ensure all mandatory compliance items are current before the tenancy begins:

• Gas safety certificate (CP12): Required annually. Must be provided to tenants before or at the start of the tenancy.
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): Required at least every five years. Tenants must receive a copy.
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): Must be at least E-rated. Must be provided to tenants.
• Smoke alarms: Working smoke alarms required on every floor of the property.
• Carbon monoxide alarms: Required in rooms with solid fuel appliances; strongly recommended for gas.
• Right to Rent checks: Landlords in England must verify tenants' right to rent in the UK.

4. Locks and Security

Change the locks between every tenancy to ensure only the new tenant has access to the property. Check that all windows close and lock properly, and that any communal access systems (door entry, key fobs) are updated.

5. Check All Appliances

Test every appliance included in the tenancy — oven, hob, extractor fan, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, and freezer. Check that heating controls, thermostats, and radiators all work correctly. Note any items that are not working and either repair or replace them before move-in.

6. Update the Inventory

A detailed, photographic inventory is your most important document for managing deposit disputes at the end of the tenancy. Ensure the inventory reflects the current condition of the property — including the results of the cleaning and maintenance work — and is signed by both parties at check-in.

7. Provide an Information Pack

Leave the new tenant with the information they need to live in the property effectively: instructions for the boiler and heating system, emergency contact numbers for maintenance issues, details of the utility suppliers, and information on bin collection days and recycling arrangements.

How Multrex Can Help

Our landlord maintenance service covers everything needed to prepare a rental property for new tenants — cleaning, maintenance, repairs, and compliance coordination — under one contract. Contact us to arrange a visit or request a free quote.