Landlord Re-let Checklist
Re-letting a rental property? Use this landlord re-let checklist to prepare your property, advertise on Rightmove, find tenants, complete referencing and set up the next tenancy properly with help from letlaunch.
Landlord Re-let Checklist
Re-letting a rental property? Use this landlord re-let checklist to prepare your property, advertise on Rightmove, find tenants, complete referencing and set up the next tenancy properly with help from letlaunch.
If your tenant is leaving, or your rental property is already empty, a clear re-let checklist can help you stay organised and reduce the risk of a long void period. Re-letting a property usually involves confirming dates, checking the property condition, setting the new rent, advertising, choosing a tenant, completing referencing, and setting up the tenancy correctly.
Every day a rental property is empty can mean lost rent. Planning the re-let early gives you more time to arrange repairs, prepare the advert, organise viewings and complete referencing before the next tenant moves in. If you wait until the property is already vacant, you may lose valuable time.
Start by confirming when the current tenant is due to leave. Make sure you have the date in writing and check whether it lines up with the tenancy agreement. This date affects when you can inspect the property, arrange viewings, complete any works and start the next tenancy.
Review the tenancy agreement so you understand the notice terms, move-out obligations and any clauses about access for inspections or viewings. This helps you avoid confusion and makes it easier to plan the next steps with the current tenant.
Where appropriate, arrange an inspection before the tenant moves out. This can help you identify repairs, maintenance, cleaning or decoration that may be needed before the property is advertised or before the next tenant moves in.
Repairs and maintenance can delay a re-let if they are not planned early. Make a list of any works required and arrange contractors as soon as possible. Even small jobs, such as replacing damaged fittings, touching up paintwork or fixing appliances, can make the property more appealing to prospective tenants.
A clean, well-presented property is more likely to attract enquiries and strong applicants. Consider whether the property needs professional cleaning, carpet cleaning, garden maintenance or minor presentation improvements before taking new photos or conducting viewings.
Before re-advertising the property, check whether the rent is still appropriate. Compare similar rental properties in the local area, taking into account the number of bedrooms, condition, location, furnishing, parking, garden space and nearby transport links. A realistic rent can help reduce your void period. Read our practical guide on setting the right rent for your property here.
A strong rental advert should be clear, accurate and useful to tenants. Before advertising, gather the information you need so the listing can be created quickly and professionally.
Once you know the availability date and have the advert details ready, you can advertise the property. Many tenants search online first, so getting your property in front of active tenants can help generate enquiries and reduce the time the property sits empty.
With letlaunch, landlords can advertise their rental property on Rightmove from only £49, helping self-managing landlords find tenants without paying traditional high street letting agent fees. 85% of prospective tenants use Rightmove to find their next home, so it is imperative that you advertise on this platform.
Once your property is advertised, try to respond to tenant enquiries as quickly as possible. Good applicants may be looking at several properties, so slow replies can mean missed viewings. Keep answers ready for common questions about availability, deposit, furnishing, parking, pets, transport and viewing times.
Viewings are an important part of the re-let process. If the current tenant is still in the property, arrange access respectfully and with clear communication. If the property is vacant, you may be able to offer more flexible viewing times to help secure a suitable tenant faster.
After viewings, review interested applicants carefully. Consider their proposed move-in date, affordability, circumstances and whether they are a good fit for the property. Do not rely only on first impressions; proper checks should be completed before agreeing the tenancy.
Tenant referencing allows landlords to assess whether an applicant is suitable before the tenancy begins. Referencing may include affordability checks, employment or income checks, credit checks, landlord references and guarantor referencing where required.
In England, landlords need to consider Right to Rent checks before allowing an adult tenant to occupy the property. This is separate from normal tenant referencing and should be completed at the correct stage before the tenancy starts. If you use letlaunch's Full Tenancy Setup package, we include Right to Rent checks as part of our referencing process.
Once you are ready to proceed, prepare the tenancy agreement. The agreement should set out the property address, rent, deposit, tenancy start date, length of tenancy, tenant details and other key terms. It should be signed before the tenant moves in. With letlaunch, we automatically prepare the tenancy agreement once the referencing stage has completed, including electronic signature via DocuSign. Check our walkthroughs here for more info.
Before handing over keys, make sure the correct move-in monies have been received. This usually includes the first month's rent and tenancy deposit. You should also make sure any holding deposit arrangements have been handled correctly.
If you take a tenancy deposit, it needs to be dealt with properly. Deposit registration is an important part of setting up the tenancy and should be completed within the required timescale. Make sure the tenant receives the correct deposit information.
Before the tenant moves in, check that the property is ready and that key compliance requirements have been considered. The exact requirements can depend on the property, but landlords commonly need to think about safety checks, prescribed information and move-in documents.
An inventory records the condition and contents of the property at the start of the tenancy. This can help reduce disputes later, especially if there are questions about damage, cleaning or deductions from the deposit at the end of the tenancy. In your letlaunch portal, you have a comprehensive inventory creator included free of charge so you do not have to pay a third party to complete one. Check out how to use it here.
Once the tenancy agreement is signed, payments are received, and the property is ready, you can hand over keys. Make sure the tenant has the information they need, including emergency contact details and any instructions for appliances, bins, parking or access.
Re-letting a property can become stressful if important steps are missed or left too late. Avoiding common mistakes can help reduce delays and improve the chances of a smooth tenancy setup.
letlaunch allows landlords to re-let their rental property without paying traditional high street letting agent fees. If you only need advertising, our Rightmove Advertising Only package is £49. If you want help setting up the tenancy after finding a tenant, our Full Tenancy Setup package is only £149 and includes unlimited tenant/guarantor referencing, tenancy agreement with DocuSign signature, deposit registration and property compliance.
This option may suit you if you:
This option may suit you if you want more support after finding a tenant. It includes Rightmove advertising plus help with the key tenancy setup steps, including unlimited tenant/guarantor referencing, tenancy agreement with DocuSign signature, deposit registration, and property compliance.
Have a Question?
NAME
USER TYPE
MESSAGE
ATTACHMENT (optional)