Portfolio Landlords · Estate & Letting Agents20 Sept 2026 · 4 min read
By Mohammed Miah, Gas Safe registered heating engineer
The gap between tenancies is the best chance to catch heating and plumbing problems before the next tenant finds them. It's also when an empty property is most at risk from an unnoticed leak or a frozen pipe.
When the property becomes empty
- Read the insurance policy's unoccupancy conditions. Many require the heating to be kept on or the water system drained after a set period.
- Record meter readings and check the stopcock and isolation valves turn freely.
- Look for drips under sinks, around toilets and at the boiler, before they have weeks to do damage.
- In cold weather, set the heating to a low frost-protection temperature rather than switching it off.
Before the next tenant moves in
- Make sure the gas safety check is in date, and give the new tenant a copy of the record before they move in.
- Book the annual boiler service if it's due, so the warranty stays valid.
- Run every tap and shower, and check toilets fill and flush properly.
- Bleed radiators and confirm every room heats up.
- Check the boiler pressure is correct and the controls and thermostat are working.
A void check with a Gas Safe registered engineer covers all of this in one visit. Account holders can book void checks alongside gas safety renewals and have them invoiced together.