Landlord decorating in Cambridge between tenancies
We decorate rental flats and houses for landlords in Cambridge and nearby. Typically it's end of tenancy decorating: the outgoing tenant has left, the property is empty, and it needs putting right before the next one moves in. Our decorators fill, seal and repaint, and where there are repairs we bring in our plasterers, carpenter or master builder.
Graham visits the property, looks at every room with you or your agent, and writes a quotation that sets out exactly what's being done, so you can decide what to do now and what can wait until the next void.
Keeping the void period short
Every week empty costs rent, so the order of work matters. Plumbing, electrical and building repairs come first, decorating next, then carpets and the final clean. Getting decorators in before a carpet fitter saves splashes on new carpet and a second visit.
If the outgoing tenant agrees, Graham can look round during the notice period, so the quotation is ready by the time you have the keys back. Speak to us as soon as you know a move-out date. We can't promise a start date until we know what's already booked, but an early call gives the best chance of fitting your gap. We cover rental properties across the city and nearby villages, including Chesterton and Milton, a couple of miles from our base.
Finishes that survive the next tenancy
Rental property painting is a different brief from decorating your own home. The aim is a finish that can be wiped, cleaned and touched up without a full repaint. We usually suggest a durable washable emulsion on walls, and eggshell or satin on doors, frames and skirtings rather than high gloss, which shows every dent.
Using the same few colours across all your properties makes life easier. Touch-ups match, leftover paint is useful at the next void, and nobody has to guess the shade. Pale, warm neutrals suit most tenants and show fewer marks than brilliant white.
Common jobs at the end of a tenancy
Fixings, hooks and Blu Tack
Screw holes from shelves and TV brackets, nail holes from pictures, and torn paint where Blu Tack was pulled off. Each is filled, sanded flush and spot-primed so it doesn't flash through the new coat.
Mould in bathrooms and bedrooms
Black mould around windows and on bathroom ceilings is usually condensation. We treat it, seal it and redecorate the area, but paint won't stop it returning if the room can't ventilate. That's worth checking with your agent or a builder.
Smoke and nicotine
Yellowed ceilings after a smoking tenant need sealing before they're painted, or the stain bleeds back. Our stain-blocking page explains the method.
Doors, frames and handrails
Chipped door edges, scuffed frames and worn handrails make a property look tired in viewings. Sanding, filling and two coats on the woodwork lifts the whole flat. Our skirting board painting page covers the detail.
What landlords have told us
One landlord wrote on Checkatrade after we decorated a room with previous mould problems: "Cannot fault the job on a rented property I own. The quote was quick and the job started straight after. No problems collecting keys etc, all very smooth and the keys were even delivered back to my door."
Another, after a full redecoration of a rental property including plastering and repairs: "Reliable service, top class plastering and decorating, quick turnaround top blokes thanks Graham and Simon." More are on our reviews page.
Working with letting agents
Plenty of landlords live away from Cambridge, or simply prefer their agent to handle access. That works well: the agent can let Graham in for the visit and hand over keys, while the quotation and approval stay with you. We keep you informed as the work goes, and Belinda is the single contact for both of you if you'd like.
Questions about what you must provide as a landlord, or what can be charged to a tenant's deposit, are for your agent, the deposit scheme or official guidance. We'll describe the condition of the walls and woodwork honestly, but we don't give legal advice.
What decides the cost
- Number of rooms, and whether ceilings and woodwork are included
- How much filling and making good the last tenancy left
- Mould, smoke or water staining that needs sealing
- Colour changes from a previous tenant's choices
- Repairs needing a plasterer, carpenter or builder
Getting the property ready
Contact us with the address and the date you need it finished. Graham visits, then sends a written quotation, usually by email. We do the work, tidy at the end of each day, and walk round with you or your agent when it's finished. You don't pay until you're happy with it. The wider commercial painting page covers student accommodation and larger portfolios.
