When one tenant moves out and another is preparing to move in, landlords often focus on cleaning, decorating, inventories and any obvious repairs.
It is also one of the best opportunities to look at the property’s electrics.
Once a tenant has moved in, arranging non-urgent electrical work can become more complicated. Access needs to be organised, furniture may need moving and work has to be planned around the tenant.
A void period gives landlords an opportunity to identify problems, complete sensible upgrades and prepare the property before the next tenancy begins.
For landlords across Leeds and West Yorkshire, here are eight electrical areas worth considering between tenancies.
1. Check sockets and switches for visible damage
Sockets and light switches experience significant daily use.
Over time, accessories can become cracked, loose, discoloured or damaged.
During a tenant changeover, walk through each room and look for obvious issues such as:
- Cracked socket faces
- Loose switches
- Damaged plug sockets
- Signs of overheating
- Buzzing accessories
- Missing screws
- Poorly fitted covers
Small defects may be relatively straightforward to resolve when caught early.
Leaving them until after a tenant moves in can turn a simple maintenance job into an inconvenient call-out.
2. Test whether the property has enough sockets
Rental properties have changed considerably in the last decade.
Tenants now commonly use laptops, monitors, televisions, games consoles, phone chargers, smart speakers, kitchen appliances and other connected devices.
Older properties were rarely designed for that level of electrical demand.
One warning sign is excessive use of extension leads.
If previous tenants have left several extension leads or multi-way adapters around the property, it may indicate that there are simply not enough conveniently positioned sockets.
Adding additional sockets during a void period can make the property easier to live in while reducing reliance on extension leads.
3. Inspect kitchen electrics before the next tenant arrives
The kitchen is one of the highest-demand areas of a rental property.
A modern kitchen may contain:
- Oven
- Hob
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Tumble dryer
- Fridge-freezer
- Microwave
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Coffee machine
- Extractor
- Multiple countertop appliances
If you are replacing appliances or refurbishing the kitchen between tenancies, it is worth considering whether the electrical installation still suits the layout.
Simply placing appliances wherever there happens to be an existing socket is not always the best solution.
Planning the electrics around the kitchen can result in a cleaner, safer and more practical installation.
4. Check lighting throughout the property
Poor lighting can make an otherwise good rental property feel dated.
Check every room for:
- Failed fittings
- Damaged switches
- Flickering lights
- Broken bathroom lighting
- Poorly positioned fittings
- Insufficient kitchen lighting
- Exterior lights that no longer work
Lighting upgrades do not always require major electrical work.
Replacing tired fittings or improving lighting in key areas can make a noticeable difference to how the property looks during viewings.
5. Don’t forget outdoor electrics
Outdoor electrical installations can easily be overlooked.
If the property has a garden, yard, garage or external parking area, check outdoor electrics for signs of deterioration.
This might include:
- Security lights
- Garden lighting
- Outdoor sockets
- Garage supplies
- Shed supplies
- Exterior cabling
Outdoor electrical equipment is exposed to rain, moisture and temperature changes, which means damaged equipment should not simply be ignored.
6. Look at how previous tenants actually used the property
A tenant changeover gives landlords valuable information about how people really use the home.
You may notice, for example:
- Extension leads running across rooms
- Furniture placed awkwardly around socket locations
- Appliances plugged into inconvenient areas
- Insufficient lighting around workspaces
- A lack of sockets in bedrooms
- Home-office equipment concentrated around one outlet
These are useful signals.
Rather than simply putting the property back exactly as it was, consider whether modest electrical improvements could make it more suitable for the next tenant.
7. Consider planned electrical work before redecorating
If you are already planning to decorate, replace flooring or refurbish rooms, decide whether electrical work should happen first.
There is little sense in freshly decorating a wall and then deciding two weeks later that new sockets need installing.
Electrical planning should ideally form part of the wider refurbishment programme.
For larger renovations, BRO Electrical can work alongside builders and other trades so that electrical work is incorporated into the project at the appropriate stage.
8. Deal with reported electrical problems properly
Review any issues raised by the previous tenant.
If they reported:
- Intermittent sockets
- Lights flickering
- Circuits tripping
- Appliances losing power
- Buzzing switches
- Outdoor electrics failing
do not assume the problem has disappeared simply because the property is currently empty.
Intermittent electrical faults can be difficult to identify, but they should be investigated rather than carried into the next tenancy.
A void period is an opportunity, not just a gap between tenants
Landlords understandably want to minimise empty periods.
But using a short void intelligently can reduce future disruption.
Completing necessary electrical maintenance while the property is vacant can make access easier, simplify larger works and help prepare the property properly for the next occupant.
It can also provide an opportunity to improve the property rather than simply maintaining the minimum standard.
Electrical support for landlords in Leeds
BRO Electrical works with landlords, letting agents and property professionals across Leeds, West Yorkshire and surrounding areas.
From electrical testing and fault finding to additional sockets, lighting, kitchen electrics, consumer-unit work and larger property renovations, the team can assess what a property actually requires and explain the options clearly.
If you have a rental property becoming vacant and would like to use the opportunity to address electrical work before the next tenancy, speak to BRO Electrical about the property and the work you are considering.
