Void property inspection checklist

A printable checklist for routine visits to an empty flat or house between tenancies, or while it waits for works or a sale.

Use one sheet per visit. It covers the things that go wrong in empty homes — break-ins, piled-up post, stagnant water, frozen pipes, damp and leaks — and gives you a dated record of each visit.

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Free to use and print. No sign-up needed.

Empty homes — water and alarms (England)

  • HSE says water should not be allowed to stagnate, so properties left empty for extended periods need careful management.
  • As a general principle, HSE says outlets on hot and cold water systems should be used at least once a week, and that a flushing regime — or measures such as draining down — should be considered if the property will be empty for long periods.
  • From 1 October 2022, relevant landlords in England must make sure there is at least one smoke alarm on each storey with living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).
  • For a new tenancy, landlords must check that each required alarm is in proper working order on the day the tenancy begins.

General guidance from the official sources below, not legal advice.

Void property inspection checklist

Property address:
Date and time of visit:
Visited by:
Keys collected from / returned to:
Date of last visit:

Outside and security

CheckPassFailNotes
Doors and windows locked and undamaged — no signs of forced entry
No signs of anyone living in or using the property
Garden, paths and bins tidy; no fly-tipping
Roof, gutters and downpipes look intact from the ground

Post and signs of occupation

CheckPassFailNotes
Post and leaflets collected so the property does not look empty
Any timer lights or blinds set as agreed

Water and heating

CheckPassFailNotes
Every tap and shower run and every toilet flushedUnless the water system has been drained down.
No leaks, drips or water marks under sinks, around the boiler or on ceilings
Heating set as agreed for the season (for example a low frost setting in winter), or system drained down

Condition

CheckPassFailNotes
No new damp patches, mould or musty smell
No signs of pests
Rooms aired if it is safe to open windows while you are there

Alarms

CheckPassFailNotes
Smoke alarm on each storey tested and working
Carbon monoxide alarm tested and working in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (not including gas cookers)

If a check fails

  1. Take photos of anything wrong and make the property safe and secure before you leave.
  2. Report break-ins to the police and the owner straight away.
  3. Report leaks, damp, heating or alarm faults to the owner or managing agent, and arrange repairs.
  4. Record what you found and who you told, and check it on the next visit.
Signed:
Date reviewed:

Stop chasing paper sheets

Schedule a visit to each empty property, put a QR or NFC tag inside the door, and the visit is time-stamped and GPS-checked with photos. If a visit is missed, managers are told.

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Frequently asked questions

How often should an empty property be inspected?

Choose a frequency that suits the property and the time of year, and check your buildings insurance policy for any conditions it sets for unoccupied properties. If the water is left on, HSE guidance says outlets should be used at least once a week, so weekly visits are a practical starting point.

Should I flush the water in an empty property?

HSE says water should not be allowed to stagnate in an empty property. As a general principle, outlets should be used at least once a week, and for long empty periods a flushing regime or draining the system should be considered.

Do smoke and CO alarms need checking before a new tenant moves in?

Yes. Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations, landlords in England must check that each required alarm is in proper working order on the day a new tenancy begins.

Is this a check-in inventory?

No. This checklist is for routine visits while a property is empty. A check-in or check-out inventory is a separate, more detailed record of the property’s contents and condition.

Sources