A void period costs a landlord rent every day it runs. In London, where the gap between one tenancy ending and the next beginning is often only a weekend, the repairs, paint touch-ups and cleaning have to be planned like a small project rather than left to whoever is free.
This guide sets out how a two-day turnaround is usually sequenced in a London flat, what tends to slow it down, and what to sort out before the outgoing tenant hands back the keys.
Before the keys come back
The most useful work happens before day one.
- Walk the flat during the notice period. With the tenant's agreement and proper notice, a short viewing lets you list the obvious jobs — scuffed walls, a dripping tap, a blown extractor fan — so trades and materials can be booked in advance.
- Confirm the paint colours. Most rental flats use a single neutral emulsion throughout. If you know the brand and colour, touch-ups blend in; if you don't, plan to repaint whole walls rather than patch.
- Check the check-out date and time with the agent. The inventory clerk usually needs to finish their check-out report before any work begins, so repairs are not mistaken for tenant damage (or the other way round).
- Book building access. Many London blocks require contractors to be registered with the concierge or managing agent, and some restrict working hours or lift use. Getting this wrong can lose half a day.
Parking and loading
Parking catches out more London turnarounds than any repair. Most inner boroughs run controlled parking zones, and a van parked without a permit or paid bay will be ticketed quickly. Depending on the borough, options include visitor permits bought through the council, pay-and-display bays, or a parking bay suspension booked in advance. Suspensions normally need several working days' notice, so they have to be arranged early — check your own borough's website for its current rules and lead times.
A typical two-day sequence
Every flat is different, but the order of work matters more than the speed of any one trade. Dust and paint must be finished before cleaning, and cleaning must be finished before the new inventory.
Day one — repairs and preparation
- Remove anything left behind and bag rubbish for proper disposal.
- Carry out repairs that create dust or mess: filling holes, easing doors, re-fixing loose cupboard hinges, replacing broken handles.
- Plumbing fixes such as dripping taps, slow waste pipes or a running toilet cistern.
- Rake out and replace failed silicone around baths, showers and kitchen worktops, so it has time to cure overnight.
- Minor electrical items — replacing blown bulbs, faulty light fittings or a broken extractor fan — carried out by a suitably qualified electrician where the work requires it.
Day two — decorating and cleaning
- Touch up or repaint walls, ceilings and woodwork. Water-based paints dry quickly enough for a second coat the same day in a heated flat.
- Replace worn carpet or damaged flooring if needed — this is usually the job with the longest lead time, so measure early.
- Deep clean once all trades have finished: kitchen, oven, bathroom, windows and floors.
- Final walk-through with photographs before the new inventory is taken.
What usually causes delays
- Hidden damage found once furniture is moved: damp patches behind wardrobes, mould behind a bed, or burns in the carpet.
- Flooring that needs ordering rather than buying off the shelf.
- Compliance checks falling due at the same time. If a gas safety check or electrical inspection is close to its renewal date, it is sensible to book it inside the same void so the new tenant receives current certificates. Our London landlord compliance checklist links to the official guidance.
- Keys and access — a missing fob or a concierge who hasn't been told about the work.
One team or several?
Coordinating a painter, plumber, cleaner and flooring fitter separately is possible, but every hand-off is a chance for a trade to arrive before the previous one has finished. Many landlords and agents prefer one contractor to plan the whole sequence. Our rental refresh service is built for exactly this: painting, repairs, silicone, flooring and cleaning planned as one job across London.
If you only need part of it, see end of tenancy painting or end of tenancy cleaning.
Quick checklist
- Pre-tenancy walk-through booked during notice period
- Paint colours and flooring measurements recorded
- Check-out inventory time confirmed with the agent
- Building access and contractor registration arranged
- Parking permit or bay suspension in place
- Repairs and silicone on day one, decorating and cleaning on day two
- Compliance certificates checked for upcoming renewals
- Final photographs taken before the new inventory
Planning a turnaround? Call 020 3488 1913 or request a quote with your dates and we'll tell you honestly what can fit into the window.
