Summer brings plenty of people looking to move. Students finish courses, families plan around school holidays, and new jobs start. Relying on demand alone is often a risky way to keep a rental property occupied. Other landlords nearby may be chasing the same tenants.
Every empty week costs you rent, while bills like council tax and utilities keep running. Below are practical steps to help landlords cut void periods, the empty spells between tenancies. Some take an afternoon. Others need planning a few months before a tenant leaves.
Related reading: Family renters and affordability: How to raise rent fairly and reduce void risk under the new rules
Set a rent that gets the phone ringing
Rent is often one of the first things tenants consider when searching online. Property portals allow them to set a maximum monthly budget, which means homes priced above that limit may not appear in their results. Setting a competitive rent that reflects the local market can help your property reach more potential tenants.
Check what similar homes have let for
Advertised rents show what landlords are asking, while agreed rents reflect what tenants have actually agreed to pay. Compare properties within a mile or so that have a similar number of bedrooms, parking facilities and overall condition. Consider any differences, such as a garden or other features that could affect the rental value.
Follow the rules on asking rents
Since 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act has required landlords and agents to publish a clear asking rent. You cannot ask for, encourage, or accept offers above that figure. That puts more weight on getting your asking rent right.
Get the home viewing-ready before anyone books
Most tenants judge the home as it stands on the day. Jobs you plan to finish later may not count for much. If the property is empty, finish the work before the first viewing. If a tenant lives there, fix what you can now.
Sort the small faults tenants spot first
Small faults often hint at bigger problems. A cracked tile or a wobbly towel rail may leave tenants wondering what else has been missed. Walk through the property like a first-time viewer. Make a list, then work through it room by room.
Inside the home
- Dripping taps, sticking doors, and broken blinds
- Scuffed walls that need a coat of neutral paint
- Mould around windows, which needs treating at the source
- Smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms where required
Outside the front door
- Overgrown lawns and hedges
- A clean front door and a working doorbell
Give it a proper clean and let the light in
Book a deep clean once the property is empty. Tenants tend to check ovens, extractor fans, and grout. On viewing days, open curtains and windows for fresh air and light. Clear away clutter so rooms feel bigger. Skip strong air fresheners, which may suggest a hidden smell.
Get the listing seen and the viewings booked
A well-prepared home still needs the right people to find it. Some summer tenants view several properties in one weekend. A lot of searches start on a phone. It helps if yours stands out on screen first and is easy to see in person.
Write a listing that answers questions up front
Good photos come first. Shoot in daylight, from the corner of each room, with every light switched on. Then write a clear description. Include the rent, deposit, move-in date, council tax band, and energy performance certificate (EPC) rating. Mention the garden, parking, and local transport links.
Reply fast and make viewings easy
Speed matters in a busy summer market. Someone who waits a day for a reply may have booked elsewhere. Aim to answer enquiries within a few hours. Renters with day jobs often view outside office hours, so flexible times widen your pool of applicants.
Options worth offering:
- Weekday evenings
- Saturday mornings
- Video tours for out-of-town tenants
Related reading: No rental bidding: how landlords should choose between multiple applicants (fair, documented and defensible)
Plan for tenancy changes before they happen
Some void periods start with a surprise. A tenant gives notice, and the landlord has no plan ready. Spring and early summer tend to bring notices from tenants planning a move. Thinking ahead lets you use the notice period to get ready.
Use the notice period well
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, most private tenancies are assured periodic tenancies with no fixed end date. Tenants can end the tenancy by giving at least two months’ notice. Use that time to arrange marketing and viewing access.
Book work between tenancies early
Tradespeople often get booked up in summer. Arrange painters, Gas Safe registered engineers, and qualified electricians as soon as notice arrives. A ready home can welcome the next tenant soon after. Tick off these items before the new tenancy starts:
- Gas safety check: due every 12 months, with a copy for new tenants before they move in
- Electrical installation condition report (EICR): needed at least every five years
- A photo inventory for check-in
Related reading: Aligning with the Renters’ Rights Act: why landlords should work with a letting agent
Keep good tenants happy so they stay
The cheapest void is the one that never happens. A tenant who likes the home and trusts you has fewer reasons to look around. Good everyday service often plays a big part in that. Two habits stand out: clear communication and prompt repairs.
Stay in touch and listen to requests
Tenants who feel heard may stay longer. A quick call a few months in shows you care. Share an emergency contact number. If a tenant asks to keep a pet, the Renters’ Rights Act requires landlords not to refuse the request unreasonably.
Act on repair requests fast
Slow repairs may push good tenants to look elsewhere. Log every request, agree a timescale, and update the tenant if parts are delayed. Keep receipts and dates on file. That record helps show you met your legal duty to carry out repairs.
Related reading: The landlord’s guide to tenant relationships and rental reform
Check your rent against the local market
Pricing your own property is harder than it looks. Mortgage payments, renovation costs, and what you paid often affect how you judge the rent. Tenants see none of that. Last year’s rent may no longer match the market. An outside opinion helps.
What a rental valuation shows you
A rental valuation should give you a realistic rent range for your property. It may also flag which improvements could support a higher figure, and which would cost more than they return. It can show whether your home suits families, sharers, or professionals best.
How a local lettings team helps
Experienced letting agents have access to valuable local insights, including agreed rents, tenant enquiries and viewing feedback. This helps them understand what similar properties are letting for and how quickly they attract tenants. At Newton Fallowell, our local teams use this knowledge to help landlords set competitive rents, market their properties effectively and manage their tenancies.
A good time for a valuation is before a tenant gives notice. That way, you go into the summer market with a price backed by local evidence. To see where your property stands, contact your local Newton Fallowell branch to book a valuation.
