End of tenancy is the most common trigger for a Brighton landlord to call us. A few days of targeted repairs between tenancies can protect your deposit deduction rights, avoid disputes, and get the property relisted quickly. This checklist covers everything we typically work through — use it to triage what needs doing before new tenants move in.

Why end-of-tenancy repairs matter in Brighton

Brighton has one of the most competitive rental markets outside London. Void periods are expensive — a week’s delay relisting a 2-bed Hove flat at £1,800/month costs £450. Getting repairs done fast, correctly, and in one visit matters more here than in slower markets.

We work regularly with Brighton letting agents and private landlords, often booking the day after checkout so the property is ready before the next viewing.

The Brighton landlord end-of-tenancy punch list

Walls and ceilings

• Fill and sand all picture hooks, screw holes, and minor dents
• Touch-up paint where colour matches (keep a note of paint codes at the start of each tenancy)
• Full repaint if walls are scuffed beyond touch-up — typically every 3–5 years in Brighton rentals
• Check coving and cornicing for cracks — common in Victorian terraces after any movement
• Treat any mould spots with fungicidal wash before repainting (painting over mould without treatment is a deposit dispute waiting to happen)

Doors and windows

• Adjust any doors that stick, drag, or don’t close properly — humidity changes between tenancies are enough to shift a door in an older property
• Lubricate all hinges and door handles
• Check window locks and restrictors — legal requirement in properties with children, and increasingly asked about by letting agents
• Sash windows: re-cord if cords are broken or windows won’t stay open; repaint sashes if paint is peeling or windows are sticking
• Replace broken or missing window handles

Kitchen

• Re-hang any cabinet doors with dropped or broken hinges (Blum soft-close hinges are adjustable and worth upgrading to if replacing)
• Replace cracked or missing tiles — even a single cracked tile is flagged in check-out reports
• Re-grout or re-seal around the sink and worktop if grout is discoloured or cracking
• Refix any worktop sections that have lifted at the joints
• Check extractor fan is working — replace if rattling or not extracting

Bathroom

• Regrout or re-tile around the bath and shower — discoloured grout is one of the most common tenant complaints
• Re-silicone bath and shower tray — silicon discolours and shrinks, usually within 2–3 years
• Fix any dripping taps — a dripping tap wastes water and causes limescale build-up
• Check toilet flush mechanism and seat — replace if cracked or stiff
• Test extractor fan and replace if not working — damp in Brighton bathrooms without extraction causes mould within weeks
• Treat and repaint any mould patches

Electrics and fixtures

• Replace all blown bulbs — use LED if not already (longer life, lower bills)
• Test smoke alarms and replace batteries (legally required)
• Test carbon monoxide alarm if gas appliances present (legally required)
• Check all light switches and sockets work — replace any with cracked faceplates
• Refix any loose sockets or switches (this is a letting agent red flag)

Flooring

• Sand and re-oil or re-varnish hardwood floors if scuffed — Brighton period properties with original boards are worth maintaining
• Replace damaged laminate planks if individual sections are cracked or lifting
• Re-lay any loose vinyl or carpet edges
• Check threshold strips between rooms — these work loose and are a trip hazard

Outdoor / communal areas (if applicable)

• Fix any garden gate latches or hinges
• Repoint garden wall if pointing is crumbling
• Pressure-wash pathways and patio if green with algae — especially important for coastal Brighton properties
• Replace any broken bin store or shed locks

What we typically fix in one visit

A standard end-of-tenancy visit for a 2-bed Brighton flat usually takes 4–6 hours and covers: all hole-filling and touch-up painting, door and window adjustments, bathroom re-silicone, kitchen cabinet hinge adjustments, replacing blown bulbs, and any other snag items from the check-out report.

We aim to work through a full snag list in a single visit so letting agents can relist without a second appointment. Send us the check-out report in advance and we’ll quote per item and give a realistic total.

Brighton landlord maintenance: what to budget

We work with landlords across Brighton and Hove — from single buy-to-let flats in Kemptown to HMOs in Lewes Road. For recurring maintenance contracts, ask about our landlord discount. Call 01273 044551 or WhatsApp us the check-out report for a fast quote.