A checklist on how to prepare your rental property for new tenants

Being a landlord in London allows you to earn attractive rental income, given the soaring demand for good-quality homes from working professionals and the student community. But this also means that you need to deliver high-quality service before and after onboarding new tenants into your property. Proper preparation is key, and oversight is common when getting a property ready during the busy months of the year. Therefore, creating a thorough checklist is essential.

1. Keeping it clean and tidy

If you expect tenants to treat your property with care and keep it well, you must first ensure that you give it to them in pristine condition. You can start by first getting a professional deep clean of the property, wherein the carpets, flooring, ceiling and all other exposed surfaces are made spotless.

Fix the minor wear and tear issues caused by the previous tenants, especially in high-utility areas like the kitchen and bathrooms, which are prone to greasy stains, limescale deposits, damp and mould. Don’t miss wiping the windows and other overlooked areas like skirting boards, door frames and cabinets.

2. Getting all safety checks and necessary certifications

Gas and electrical safety are critical before onboarding new tenants to prevent accidents. You may need to hire a registered engineer or a qualified electrician to get these certifications, which are also a legal mandate. At present, every rental property in the UK needs to follow minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) and have at least an EPC rating of E. Checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, along with other fire safety devices, is also necessary.

3. Check all systems and appliances before handover

Boilers and heaters are vital appliances during winter, and ensuring their prompt servicing and maintenance should be on your agenda. Check the thermostat and other appliances you will be adding, including the refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine. An annual plumbing examination to check for leaks and correct minor issues like loose valves and broken faucets is also important. Finally, confirm all the sockets, plugs and switches are operating well.

4. Furnishing and general maintenance

If you’re letting a furnished house, you need to guarantee all furniture pieces, such as beds, sofas, dining tables, etc, fulfil the relevant safety standards and are in good shape. Door locks and other safety features also need to be tested once to ensure peace of mind for future tenants. If there are external places like a balcony garden or terrace, trimming the hedges and mowing the lawn will help generate a pleasant mood and is also a discreet and polite approach to communicate upkeep requirements.

5. Creating a complete check-in inventory

To guarantee you’ve got everything right and there is no space for any slipups, always prepare a complete check-in inventory of all the inspections and fixes done before the tenant moves in. Whether it is documenting the condition of every room, noting down the meter readings, or making a list of all the repairs and upgrades made to the property, keep proper records and provide complete transparency right from the start. You can also get the tenant to check and share their feedback before they formally move in.

6. Secure deposit and rent collection

UK landlords need to register their tenants’ deposits in a secure government-approved scheme, such as the TDS, and set up an automated rent collection or disbursement process. Complete all other background and legal checks before handing over your property to a tenant.

7. Open lines of communication to build trust

Lastly, you must arrange a meeting with the tenant to communicate the tenancy terms and discuss the expectations and responsibilities of both parties. Emergencies can come up at any time, and having an open line of communication for the tenant to reach out and get their issues resolved also highlights a proactive and responsive landlord.

How does Benham and Reeves help prepare for a new tenancy?

Benham and Reeves offers a one-stop lettings and property management service to ensure all landlord responsibilities are met before the start of a tenancy. We have 21 branches across London with their own lettings team to serve landlords and tenants within different areas and postcodes of the UK capital.

From taking care of legal obligations to providing only reliable tenants and maintaining the property’s condition, there are many benefits of using our services. We also assist with furnishing or refurbishment needs to help maximise rental yields and avoid costly mistakes that are common with DIY landlords.

Do you need help preparing your London rental for new tenants? Contact us today to speak with our expert lettings and property management team.