What Is It?
A void property electrical checklist is a step-by-step inspection and verification document used during the void period between tenancies. It covers everything from the initial safe isolation of the property when the outgoing tenant leaves, through visual inspection, testing, remedial work, and final sign-off before re-letting. It is designed to be completed by a qualified electrician or competent maintenance operative and provides a documented audit trail of all electrical safety checks carried out during the void works process.
About This Template
Void periods, the time between one tenancy ending and the next beginning, present unique electrical safety challenges. Properties may have been left with appliances plugged in, heating systems drained, or damage that creates electrical hazards. For social housing providers, local authorities, and private landlords managing turnarounds, a structured electrical checklist ensures that every void property is safe to re-let and compliant with current regulations before a new tenant moves in. This template follows best practice from the Electrical Safety First guidelines and aligns with the requirements of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
When to Use
- When a tenant vacates a rental property and the property enters a void period before re-letting
- During planned void works programmes for social housing providers and housing associations
- When taking on management of a previously unmanaged or abandoned property
- After a property has been empty for an extended period (3 months or more) and the electrical installation needs verification before re-energisation
- When insurance requires confirmation that a void property has been electrically inspected before a new policy or tenancy begins
What to Include
- Property identification: address, property type, void start date, and expected re-let date
- Initial isolation check: confirmation that the supply has been safely isolated or left in a known safe state by the outgoing tenant or operative
- Visual inspection of the consumer unit: check for signs of overheating, loose connections, water ingress, or tampering
- Visual inspection of all accessible wiring, sockets, switches, and light fittings for damage, missing covers, exposed conductors, or signs of DIY alterations
- Check for tenant-installed equipment that may need removal: satellite dishes, additional sockets, extractor fans, or electric showers not installed by a qualified person
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm testing: confirm all alarms are present, correctly located, and functioning as required by the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022
- Meter and supply check: verify the meter is accessible, the supply type matches records, and prepayment meters are not in debt or tampered with
- EICR status review: confirm the current EICR is valid (within 5 years) or schedule a new inspection if due
- Remedial work log: list of any defects found, work carried out, and confirmation of completion with electrician's details
- Final sign-off: confirmation the property is electrically safe for re-letting, signed and dated by the responsible person
Tips
Complete the electrical checklist as one of the first void works tasks. Do not leave it until decorating is finished, as electrical faults can damage new finishes and delay the turnaround
Always check behind furniture, in cupboards, and in loft spaces during void inspections. Previous tenants may have carried out unsafe DIY work that is only visible when the property is empty
If the property has been empty for more than 3 months, treat the re-energisation carefully. Insulation resistance can degrade in damp, unheated properties, and switching everything on at once can trip RCDs or cause faults
Photograph the meter reading and consumer unit at both the start and end of the void period for your records. This protects against disputes about energy use during the void
For housing associations and larger landlords, integrate this checklist into your void works management system so that electrical sign-off is a mandatory gate before the property can be marked as available for re-let
