How Letting Agents can prevent void period disputes and keep properties profitable

Void periods can be a letting agent’s headache. Without the right course of action, agencies can find themselves in disputes with tenants, landlords, and suppliers.

But, with this quick and simple guide (and a little help from Notify), you can make sure void periods stay smooth and hassle-free.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What a void period is
• Who’s responsible for bills during void periods
• How to avoid disputes
  
  • How to help landlords avoid disputes 
  • How to support tenants through the end-of-tenancy process 
• How One Utility Bill and the Notify service can help

Let’s get you started 👇

A void period is the gap between tenants, when a rental property is unoccupied.

During this time, utility bills (like gas, electricity, water, and council tax) usually fall to the landlord or agent depending on the contacts between letting agent and landlord and what is stated in the tenancy agreement. 

💡 Top Tip: Keep energy use to a minimum, but don’t switch everything off! Putting the heating on a timer helps prevent damp and mold and keeps the property in good condition.

There’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to void period bills. In most cases, the landlord is responsible once the tenancy ends and before the next one begins.

That’s why it’s so important to make utility responsibilities crystal clear in the tenancy agreement.

Here’s what to include:

✍️ Start and end dates for tenant responsibility

💡 Who covers bills during voids

🧾 Clear clauses for energy, water, council tax and TV licence

📸 A simple process for final meter readings and supplier notifications

💡 Top tip: Remind landlords to check and update their tenancy agreements regularly. A few clear lines in the contract can save hours of admin and help avoid disputes later.

With Notify, utility switchovers are recorded and time-stamped, so if questions come up, you’ve got the proof to hand. 

Notifys’ PDF download feature helps you have instant access to these confirmations. This allows you to share and store instantly, helping you and your agency stay compliant. 

Helping landlords through void periods doesn’t have to be stressful. A few smart steps can make all the difference:

✅ Plan ahead: Line up viewings, cleaning or maintenance before tenants leave

✅ Be clear on bills: Make sure contracts explain who pays for what (and when)

✅ Use Notify: Automate utility registrations to avoid billing mix-ups

✅ Keep it legal: Remind landlords they’re responsible for bills during voids

✅ Stay organised: Log key dates, meter readings and any notices

✅ Talk early: Chat with landlords before tenancies end to avoid last-minute issues

📸 Need to take meter readings during a void?

Check out: 👉 How letting agents can avoid utility disputes with meter readings

Supporting tenants through the end-of-tenancy process can create a domino effect on your agency as it helps reduce void periods, protects your reputation, and creates smoother handovers.

When tenants know exactly what’s expected of them, they’re more likely to leave the property in good condition and on time. That means fewer delays, faster turnaround between tenancies, and less admin for your team.

📖 Share the Ultimate Moving Home Checklist with your tenants, helping them have a smoother moving home process 

Void periods don’t have to mean stress. With Notify, utility changes are handled automatically, so nothing gets missed, and everyone stays on the same page.

Here’s how we make it easy:

🔄 Auto-switching between tenant and landlords: As soon as a tenant moves out, utilities switch straight into the landlord or agent’s name. No confusion, no gaps. Just use our ‘care of’ feature in the Notify portal 

❌ No void switching with suppliers: This means less complications with billings in the void period. Everything will stay with current suppliers creating a smoother handover process for everyone 

🧾 Accurate billing, every time: Every reading, date and confirmation is logged, so billing is accurate every time. Our dedicated support team is here to help throughout this process. 

📊 Real-time dashboard updates: Track utility status in one simple view. No chasing suppliers or checking emails.

📉 Less admin for you: No more ringing energy suppliers or councils. We handle the notifications and admin so you don’t have to. 

💡 With Notify, you get full visibility, smoother handovers and fewer surprises. One less thing on your to-do list and it's all within one free service. 

Not using Notify yet?

If you’re ready to save time, boost revenue, and take the hassle out of utility management…

👉 Book a demo here today!

One of our experts can help you get started in minutes.