Use the gap between tenancies to record condition, repair entry points and hand over a clean, inspectable property. Keep pest observations separate from deposit, liability and legal decisions: a checkout photograph can show a gap or mark, but it cannot by itself establish who caused a pest problem.
Inspect before belongings or contractors obscure the pattern
Work room by room before new furniture arrives. Record droppings without touching them, gnawing, textile damage, insects, damaged food packets, gaps around services and defects in waste storage. Photograph the whole location first and then the sign with scale. Label inaccessible cupboards or voids rather than describing them as clear.
Compare the checkout record with the earlier inventory and repair log. A newly visible pipe gap may have been hidden by an appliance; that is different from proving when it formed. GOV.UK's safe-home guidance asks renters to look for cracks, holes and voids that allow pests entry or shelter, and tells landlords to maintain the structure and secure waste facilities in relevant cases.
Coordinate cleaning, repairs and pest assessment
Decide the order before work begins. If identification matters, arrange inspection before deep cleaning removes all signs. Before closing a suspected active route, ask the pest professional how the repair should be coordinated with inspection, monitoring or control. Ask the relevant trade to document the repair rather than leaving “hole sealed” without a location or material.
Remove abandoned food and waste through the property's normal process. Keep reusable textiles, furnished items and stored bedding in their original rooms until they have been checked; moving everything into one store can mix unrelated evidence.
Create a useful handover
The incoming record should state what was inspected, what could not be accessed, repairs completed, monitoring left in place and any current instructions. Provide one contact for reporting new activity. If a treatment was performed, pass on only the preparation, re-entry and follow-up information relevant to the occupant; do not improvise a universal rule.
Access and repair duties depend on the tenancy and circumstances. GOV.UK says private landlords normally give at least 24 hours' notice for inspection or repairs unless there is an emergency. This article does not decide a dispute or replace legal advice.
Call 0203 393 2338 to discuss an inspection plan, or read the landlord and agent service page.
Frequently asked questions
Should cleaning happen before the pest inspection?
If the evidence is uncertain, ask first. Routine hygiene can continue, but removing every sign may make identification harder.
Does a checkout photo prove responsibility?
No. It records one time and angle. Keep it with repair, access and occupancy records and obtain advice on any legal conclusion.
What should the next tenant receive?
A concise record of relevant completed work, current access or monitoring arrangements and the correct route for reporting concerns.
Sources and further reading
External references may contain pest or skin photographs.
