Landlord Advice
How to Reduce Void Periods
Every week a property sits empty is a week of lost income - most of it is avoidable.
A void period is the time a rental property sits empty between tenants. Every week without a tenant is a week of lost rent, while the mortgage, council tax and bills still have to be paid. Most voids are avoidable with a bit of planning.
Work out what a void really costs
Divide the monthly rent by four and a third to get a weekly figure. On a property letting for £700 a month, that's around £160 a week, before council tax, utilities and the cost of finding the next tenant. A month empty can easily wipe out the benefit of a higher asking rent.
Plan as soon as the tenant gives notice
Under the periodic tenancies introduced on 1 May 2026, a tenant can leave by giving two months' notice. Use that time:
- Start marketing straight away, so viewings and referencing are under way before the property is empty.
- Agree viewing times with the outgoing tenant, giving proper notice, usually at least 24 hours.
- Book the check-out, cleaning and any repairs or redecoration for the days immediately after they leave.
- Check that certificates won't expire during the changeover.
Price it accurately
An overpriced property sits longer and often ends up letting for less than an accurate first price would have achieved, once the empty weeks are counted. Since asking rents must now be stated in the advert and bidding above them isn't allowed, there's no benefit in starting high. Base the rent on what similar homes in the same street or area have actually let for.
Keep the property ready to let
A property that needs work before it can be re-let adds delay on top of the void. Regular maintenance during the tenancy, and an inspection a couple of times a year, mean there are fewer surprises at check-out. See our guide to preparing a property for letting.
Market it well
Good photographs, an accurate description and quick responses to enquiries make a real difference. Tenants often enquire about several properties at once and take the first suitable one they see, so arrange viewings quickly.
Reference quickly and thoroughly
Slow referencing loses good applicants to other properties. Have a clear process ready: right-to-rent checks, income checks, credit checks and landlord references. Thorough doesn't have to mean slow.
Keep good tenants for longer
The best way to avoid a void is to not need a new tenant. Tenants stay longer when repairs are dealt with promptly, rent increases are fair and in line with the local market, and they feel the home is looked after. A tenant who stays for five years saves you four or five changeovers compared with one who moves every year.
Use an agent with a ready list of tenants
Most of the homes we let go to people already registered with us or recommended by our tenants and landlords, which means many properties are let before they reach the portals. If you'd like help filling a vacancy, see our Let Only and Full Management services, or get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
What is a void period?
A void period is the time a rental property is empty between tenancies, when the landlord receives no rent but still pays costs such as the mortgage, council tax and utilities.
How can I reduce void periods on my rental property?
Start marketing as soon as the tenant gives notice, price the property accurately, keep it in good condition, reference applicants quickly, and look after good tenants so they stay longer.