A Landlord’s Pre-Let Pest Checklist for Void Newmarket Properties
Void periods between tenancies are exactly when pest problems can take hold unnoticed. A few weeks of an empty rental property in Newmarket is often enough for mice, rats, or wasps to move in, and an inspection before the next tenant arrives can save a lot of hassle, and expense, further down the line.
Why Void Properties Are at Risk
An empty property loses the everyday human activity, noise, and movement that would otherwise discourage pests. Heating is often switched off or turned down, leaving dark, undisturbed spaces that mice and rats find appealing, especially once the weather cools in autumn. Overgrown gardens, uncollected post, and unopened bins around a void property can also attract pests and signal to visiting rodents that the coast is clear.
What to Check Before Re-Letting
- Loft, cellar, and airing cupboard for droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting material
- External brickwork, airbricks, and pipework for gaps mice or rats could use to get in
- Eaves and roof void for signs of wasp or bird activity over summer
- Kitchen units and behind white goods for droppings or grease smears along skirting boards
- Garden and outbuildings for burrows, droppings, or chewed timber
Your Responsibilities as a Landlord
Under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, landlords have a duty to ensure a property is free from serious hazards, including pest infestations, before a tenancy begins. Government guidance for landlords and agents sets out what counts as a hazard and what’s expected of you. It’s also worth being clear from the outset about who is responsible for pest control once a tenancy is under way, and our guide on landlord and tenant pest control responsibilities covers this in more detail.
Book a Pre-Let Pest Inspection
A quick professional inspection between tenancies is far cheaper than dealing with an established infestation once a new tenant has moved in. We work with landlords and letting agents across Newmarket to check void properties and deal with any issues before keys are handed over, with no call-out charge. Get in touch with our team today to arrange a pre-let inspection.