End-of-Tenancy Repair Checklist for Peterborough Landlords

When a tenant moves out, the fastest route to re-letting the property is not to start decorating immediately. First document its condition, separate ordinary wear from damage, identify safety problems and put the work in the correct order.

This end-of-tenancy repair checklist is designed for landlords and letting agents in Peterborough. It covers inspection, evidence, repairs, safety checks and the final make-ready inspection before another tenant moves in.

1. Document the property before starting repairs

Inspect the property before cleaners, decorators or contractors alter its condition. This creates a clear record of what was present when possession was returned.

Collect and retain:

• The original signed inventory and schedule of condition
• Check-in photographs or video
• The check-out report
• Dated photographs of every room
• Close-up and wider photographs of damage
• Records of repair reports made during the tenancy
• Messages between the landlord, agent and tenant
• Quotations, invoices and receipts for necessary work
• A list of keys, fobs and permits returned
• Final meter readings where relevant

Photographs should show context. A close-up of a cracked door is useful, but a second photograph showing which door and room it belongs to makes the evidence clearer.

2. Separate fair wear and tear from tenant damage

Not every mark or worn item is chargeable to the tenant. Fair wear and tear is the normal deterioration expected from ordinary use, taking account of factors such as the item's age, original condition, tenancy length and number of occupants.

Examples that may be fair wear and tear include:

• Light scuffing after a long tenancy
• Gradual carpet wear in frequently used areas
• Faded paint caused by age and sunlight
• An appliance failing through normal use and age
• Sealant or fittings deteriorating over time

Examples that may be damage include:

• Holes or heavy impact damage to doors and walls
• Broken fittings caused by misuse
• Burns, large stains or cuts in flooring
• Missing landlord-owned items
• Damage caused by unauthorised alterations
• Broken windows or locks caused by the tenant or their visitors

Landlords should not treat normal ageing, pre-existing defects or unresolved landlord repairs as tenant damage. If deposit deductions are disputed, the tenancy deposit scheme can review evidence from both sides. The deposit remains protected until the dispute is resolved. See the GOV.UK tenancy deposit dispute guidance. For a broader breakdown of who fixes what, see our landlord repair responsibilities guide.

3. Deal with urgent and safety-critical defects first

Before arranging decorating or cleaning, check whether the property contains anything unsafe or likely to cause further damage.

Prioritise:

• Active water leaks
• Unsafe or visibly damaged electrical fittings
• Suspected gas or carbon monoxide risks
• A boiler or heating system that is not working correctly
• Serious damp or mould
• Damaged ceilings, loose plaster or structural movement
• Broken external doors, windows or locks
• Blocked drains or unusable sanitary fittings
• Trip hazards and badly damaged flooring
• Missing or faulty smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Do not ask a handyman or general maintenance worker to complete regulated gas or electrical work unless that person holds the appropriate qualifications and registration. Gas work must be completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Electrical inspection and regulated electrical work should be completed by a competent, appropriately qualified person.

4. Inspect the property room by room

Entrance, doors and security

Check:

• External doors close, lock and seal correctly
• All keys and access fobs have been returned
• Door handles, hinges and closers are secure
• Windows open, close and lock properly
• Letterboxes and door viewers are intact
• Fire doors, where fitted, have not been damaged or altered
• Escape routes are clear

Changing the locks is not automatically required at every change of tenant. It may be sensible where keys are missing, security is uncertain or a lock is damaged. Any work to a fire door must preserve its fire performance.

Kitchen

Check:

• Taps, sink, waste pipes and isolation valves
• Cupboard doors, drawers, hinges and handles
• Worktops, splashbacks and sealant
• Extractor fans and ventilation
• Supplied ovens, hobs, refrigerators and washing machines
• Sockets and switches for visible damage
• Flooring for water damage, lifting or trip hazards
• Signs of leaks beneath the sink and appliances

Test supplied appliances according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remove abandoned food and personal belongings before cleaning.

Bathroom

Check:

• Toilet flush, seat, pan and cistern
• Taps, basin, bath and shower
• Shower screens and seals
• Grout and silicone around wet areas
• Extractor fan operation
• Visible leaks and slow drainage
• Flooring for movement or water damage
• Signs of condensation, damp or mould

Replacing mould-stained sealant may improve the finish, but repeated mould normally requires investigation of moisture, ventilation, heating or water ingress. Painting over mould without addressing the cause is not a proper repair.

Bedrooms and living areas

Check:

• Walls and ceilings for cracks, holes, stains and loose plaster
• Flooring for burns, tears, lifting or excessive staining
• Skirting boards, doors and woodwork
• Curtain poles, blinds and landlord-provided furniture
• Windows, restrictors and ventilation
• Radiators and thermostatic valves
• Sockets, switches and light fittings

Do not redecorate automatically because a tenancy has ended. Redecorate where the condition requires it, where repairs have disturbed the finish or where the existing decoration is no longer suitable for re-letting.

Plumbing and heating

Check:

• Boiler pressure and visible fault codes
• Heating operation and radiator performance
• Hot-water supply
• Dripping taps and leaking valves
• Toilets and waste pipes
• Signs of previous leaks on walls and ceilings
• Exposed pipework and boxing

A stain may remain after a leak has stopped. Confirm that the source is repaired and the area is dry before replastering or painting. For tap, toilet, drain and radiator repairs a qualified plumber can stop the cause and prevent repeat damage.

Exterior and outside areas

Where they form part of the tenancy, inspect:

• Roof and guttering from a safe position
• External walls, render and visible cracks
• Drains and external pipework
• Fences, gates and paths
• Gardens and overgrown vegetation
• Sheds, garages and outbuildings
• Outdoor lighting and security
• Rubbish or abandoned furniture

Use an appropriately registered waste carrier for chargeable clearance work and keep relevant disposal records.

5. Review safety certificates and legal requirements

An end-of-tenancy inspection is a useful point to review documents before the next occupier moves in.

Gas safety

Landlords must arrange an annual gas safety check for gas appliances and flues they provide. The check must be completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the new tenant must receive the current gas safety record before moving in. The Health and Safety Executive provides current landlord gas safety guidance. 360 Maintenance can arrange landlord gas safety certificates across Peterborough.

Electrical safety

Electrical installations in rented properties must generally be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, or sooner if the report requires it. A new tenant must receive a copy of the report before occupation. C1, C2 and Further Investigation findings require action; C3 is an improvement recommendation. See the GOV.UK electrical safety guidance. Landlords due an EICR at this change of tenancy can book it as part of the make-ready work.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Relevant rented properties must have at least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation. A carbon monoxide alarm is required in rooms used as living accommodation that contain a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. Landlords should ensure required alarms work at the start of a new tenancy. Read the government alarm guidance.

Peterborough licensing

Some privately rented properties in Peterborough require selective licensing. Peterborough also operates additional HMO licensing for properties occupied by three or four unrelated people who share facilities, alongside national mandatory HMO licensing. Check the property rather than assuming it is exempt. Peterborough City Council publishes current information on its selective licensing scheme and private landlord standards.

If the tenancy change involves a selective-licensing inspection or outstanding repair items, see our Selective Licensing Support in Peterborough service for help with records and agreed remedial work. The council is responsible for licensing decisions.

6. Put the repair work in the correct order

Poor sequencing creates repeat work. For example, decorating before repairing a leak may mean paying for the same room twice.

Use this order:

1. Make the property secure and stop active leaks.
2. Complete structural, damp and water-ingress repairs.
3. Arrange necessary gas, heating and electrical work.
4. Complete plumbing, carpentry and plaster repairs.
5. Allow wet materials to dry properly.
6. Decorate walls, ceilings and woodwork.
7. Repair or replace flooring.
8. Complete garden and waste-clearance work.
9. Carry out the final professional clean.
10. Test everything and complete the finished-condition report.

7. Prepare a clear schedule of work

Avoid sending contractors a message saying only that the property “needs sorting.” Create a written list containing:

• Room and exact location
• Description of the defect
• Photograph reference
• Required outcome
• Whether the item is urgent
• Whether a quotation is required before work
• Who is responsible for authorising the cost
• Target completion date

This makes quotations easier to compare and reduces missed items.

If the property needs work across several rooms or trades, see our void property refurbishment quote guide. For a replacement kitchen within the same programme, use the landlord kitchen fitting quotation checklist.

A Peterborough case example is our Orton Goldhay rental property redecoration, which was finished in four working days before the new tenants arrived. If a check identifies an electrical fault, our Werrington EICR remedial works case study shows how electrical repairs were completed ahead of a tenancy.

8. Complete a final make-ready inspection

After repairs and cleaning, walk through the property again as though you were the incoming tenant.

Confirm that:

• The property is clean and clear of waste
• All agreed repairs are complete
• Doors and windows operate correctly
• Heating and hot water work
• Taps, toilets and drains work without leaking
• Supplied appliances operate correctly
• Required alarms have been tested
• Safety documents are current and ready to issue
• Keys and fobs are labelled
• Final meter readings are recorded
• Finished photographs have been taken

Keep the final photographs, invoices and certificates with the property record. They will support the next inventory and demonstrate the condition in which the property was offered.

Common end-of-tenancy repairs

The most common make-ready jobs include:

• Filling holes and repairing damaged plaster
• Touch-up or full-room decorating where justified
• Repairing cupboard hinges, handles and drawers
• Replacing damaged sealant and grout
• Repairing leaking taps, toilets and waste pipes
• Adjusting doors, locks and window fittings
• Repairing damaged flooring
• Replacing broken landlord-supplied fittings
• Investigating damp and mould
• Clearing abandoned items
• Completing EICR remedial work through qualified electrical trades

The correct repair list depends on the property's actual condition. A standard package should not replace a proper inspection.

Frequently asked questions

End-of-tenancy repairs in Peterborough

360 Maintenance Solutions Ltd provides end-of-tenancy repair and make-ready services for landlords and letting agents across Peterborough. Work can include general repairs, plumbing, decorating, lock changes, void-property refurbishment, kitchen fitting, flooring and tiling, garden tidy-ups, property clearance coordination and arranging regulated gas or electrical work through appropriately qualified trades.

For a quotation, send the property postcode, repair list and photographs:

• Call: 07766 184141
• WhatsApp: 07383 512577
• Email: contact@360fix.uk

View end-of-tenancy repair services in Peterborough or see landlord maintenance services.

Information note: This article provides general property-maintenance information for landlords in England. It is not legal advice. Rules can change, and property-specific requirements may apply, particularly to licensed properties and HMOs.