A redecoration checklist for void properties

Check what needs work at the first visit

Walk through the property room by room. Record areas that only need cleaning and preparation separately from those that need patch repairs or a full repaint. Photograph damaged surfaces and note the condition of doors, skirting and frames. Mark items outside the decorating scope so the right trade can pick them up early.

Confirm whether keys, lighting, water and power will be available. In a batch of properties, keep access and priority dates beside each address. A room schedule with the same headings across all addresses makes it much easier to see what is ready and what is waiting for another trade.

Release the property in the right order

Ask which repairs, clearance and other trades still need access. Painting immediately before a dusty repair or a flooring uplift can create avoidable rework. Agree which rooms can be finished first, where materials can be stored and who will confirm that the rest of the property is ready.

Where there are stains or damp, distinguish a dry historic mark from an active problem. If the cause is unclear, record the location and ask for an assessment before coating it. Any hazardous-material concerns should be resolved through the site’s agreed procedures before surface preparation.

Specify a finish that is easy to maintain

Give the decorator the agreed colours and sheen for walls, ceilings and woodwork. Where housing standards require a particular finish, attach the relevant schedule. If there is no existing schedule, decide whether a consistent neutral finish across properties makes future touch-ups and repeat orders easier.

Set out how you want variations handled. For example, a room may need additional filling after fixtures are removed. Agree who can approve the extra work and how photographs or measurements will be attached to the record.

Close out the job with a short record

Inspect the agreed areas together where possible. Check edges and junctions, door operation, any missed surfaces and whether protection and waste have been cleared. Keep the finish references, completion photos and any outstanding items with the property record. That gives the next person a clear account of what was done before the keys are released.