Whilst it is practically impossible to avoid void periods completely, working with tenants and planning with property management agents can avoid lengthy periods of inoccupancy and the financial burdens they can cause.
Whilst Property118 has claimed that average void periods have fallen since the Renters’ Rights Act came into place, void periods are two days longer on average in 2026 than they were in 2025.
Why is this a problem? Because any day that your property is unoccupied is a day that your property is losing you money.
To understand what you as a landlord can do to reduce void periods, it is important to know why they happen, how they can cause you serious problems and how to plan ahead.
What Is A Void Period?
A void period is any period of time when your property is unoccupied for any reason, typically defined from when a tenant leaves and a new one moves in.
This is irrespective of whether a landlord is actively seeking out vacancies or the property is otherwise in a period of non-occupancy.
For logistical reasons, even the most seamless transition between tenancies can see a void of a couple of days between one tenant leaving and another joining, but the cost of a lack of revenue quickly adds up.
Why Do Void Periods Happen?
Void periods can happen for a lot of reasons, although the most common is that there is a gap between when a tenant moves out (after giving two months’ notice) and a new tenant coming in, or following an eviction which affects a scheduled rental period.
However, there are other reasons why there may be a void period for a property:
- Gaps in compliance, such as overdue EPCs, EICRs or Gas Safety Certificates
- A property needing refurbishment after being left in poor condition
- Rent above the market rate for the area
- Quiet rental market
- High tenant turnover, as void days can add up
Why Do Void Periods Hurt Landlords?
Whilst a loss of rent is the biggest problem for landlords, void periods can be particularly troublesome because many of the responsibilities that tenants manage as part of living become the landlord’s responsibility.
A landlord’s obligations do not go away just because a property is unoccupied, which means that standing charges, council tax, ensuring the heating is turned on before winter starts to avoid burst pipes, and countless other small maintenance duties fall on their shoulders.
How Can You Stop Void Periods?
Voids are inevitable, but long void periods are not. When you are sure of your tenant’s decision and the notice period begins, start making plans to get the property in perfect shape to rent.
Here are some ideal places to start:
- Try To Keep Good Tenants – The best way to avoid voids is to have tenants who rent for a long time. Listen to them, resolve any issues they have and be amenable to requests.
- Prioritise Kitchens And Bathrooms – Most tenants will have expectations that kitchens and bathrooms are clean and fully featured.
- Be Realistic With Rent – It is better to rent out quickly at a lower rate than wasting money waiting for a higher rate.
- Budget For A Void Period – Assume that the property could remain empty for one month out of the year.
- Invest In Your Property During Voids – Take advantage of vacancies to do essential maintenance and make your property more desirable.
- Work With Property Management Agents – They can help you find tenants, manage disputes and actively work to fill vacancies when they arise.
