Every tenant changeover comes down to one question: how many days will the flat sit empty? A well-run changeover takes a few days. A badly run one takes weeks. The difference is a checklist you follow in the same order every time.
1. Find out early that they're leaving
Two to three months before the contract ends, ask your tenant whether they're staying. If not, you can start planning right away. If you receive a notice, work out the exact date using the rules on termination.
2. Advertise while the old tenant is still there
Don't wait for the move-out. Agree with your current tenant that you can show the flat at pre-arranged times. That way the new tenant can move in within a few days of the move-out. For the listing itself, see this article, and for organising viewings, this one.
3. Pre-move-out walkthrough
One or two weeks before the move-out, walk through the flat with the tenant. You'll see what needs fixing, and the tenant knows what to pay attention to. Anything that turns up now, they can still put right themselves.
4. Move-out day
- A joint walkthrough, filling in the handover report with photos.
- Meter readings, with photos.
- All keys returned.
- Any missing items and damage recorded.
The details are in our article on the handover report.
5. Cleaning and repairs
Schedule these in advance. A professional clean and a few hours of maintenance can start the day after the move-out. If the flat needs painting, plan extra days for that. What's worth doing between two tenants is covered in our article on renovating between tenants.
6. Settling up
The final utility settlement and settling the deposit. If the final bill hasn't arrived yet, you can hold back an estimated amount, but return the rest on time.
7. The new tenant moves in
New contract, deposit paid, handover with photos, meter readings and key handover. Let the utility providers know about the change too, if needed.
How long does it take?
With good planning, 3–7 days from move-out to move-in. With painting and bigger repairs, two weeks. Every extra week costs you almost two percent of your annual income. We wrote about this in our article on empty months.
FAQ
Can I show the flat while the tenant still lives there?
Yes, if you do it at pre-arranged times and at a reasonable frequency. It's worth putting this in the contract too.
What if the tenant won't allow a walkthrough?
Explain why it matters. If that doesn't work, you still have the move-out walkthrough, you'll just have less time for repairs.
Who pays for the cleaning?
If the tenant doesn't return the flat in the condition they received it, the cleaning can be deducted from the deposit. Normal wear and tear, however, is the landlord's cost.
Rentkey
Rentkey's Move-ins and outs list automatically gathers what's coming up from the end and start dates of your contracts: walkthrough, handover, deposit, utilities. Each step is closed on its own tenancy, so nothing is left half-done.
