How to Get Your London Property Ready for Sale or Rent: A Complete Marketing Checklist

Preparing a property for sale or rent involves more than putting together a description and taking a few photographs.

Before a property goes live, there are several things to check, from the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and property documents to professional photography, floor plans and the final online listing.

Whether you are a homeowner, landlord, estate agent or property manager in London, having a clear preparation process can make it easier to get the property ready for marketing.

This guide explains the main steps to consider before your property is advertised.

1. Start With the Property’s EPC

The EPC should be one of the first things to check when preparing a property for sale or rent.

An Energy Performance Certificate provides an energy-efficiency rating from A to G and includes information about the property’s energy performance and recommendations for potential improvements.

Before ordering a new EPC, check whether the property already has a valid certificate.

You can use the official GOV.UK energy certificate service to check whether an EPC is already available.

If you discover that your property’s EPC is no longer valid, you may need to arrange a new assessment.

For more information, read our detailed guide:

What to Do When Your EPC Has Expired in London

Checking the EPC early can help prevent delays later when the property is ready to be marketed.

2. Check the EPC Before Booking Everything Else

It is easy to start arranging photography and other marketing services immediately, but checking the EPC first can help you understand what is already available.

A simple first step is:

1. Find the existing EPC.

2. Check the certificate details.

3. Confirm whether it is still valid.

4. Review the current rating.

5. Check whether a new assessment is required.

6. Arrange the assessment if necessary.

If a new EPC is needed, it can be useful to arrange it before the final marketing materials are prepared.

For official information about EPC requirements, always check the latest Energy Performance Certificate guidance on GOV.UK.

3. Prepare the Property Before Photography

Once the documentation is under control, the property itself needs to be prepared.

Professional property photography can help present the property clearly to potential buyers and tenants.

However, good photographs start with good preparation.

Before the photographer arrives, consider:

• Cleaning every room

• Removing unnecessary clutter

• Making beds

• Tidying kitchens

• Cleaning bathrooms

• Opening curtains and blinds

• Hiding unnecessary cables

• Removing visible rubbish

• Organising outdoor areas

• Making important property features visible

For a more detailed room-by-room preparation guide, see our:

Property Photography Checklist: How to Prepare Your Home

That checklist covers practical preparation for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, gardens and other areas before a photography appointment.

4. Use Professional Property Photography

Online property listings are highly visual.

The photographs are often one of the first things potential buyers or tenants see when browsing a property.

Professional photography can help show:

• Living spaces

• Bedrooms

• Kitchens

• Bathrooms

• Gardens

• Exterior areas

• Important property features

EPC Rate London provides professional property photography in London, including interior and exterior photography and aerial drone photography for suitable properties.

The photography service also provides professionally edited images designed for property marketing.

Good photography should work together with the rest of your listing rather than being treated as a separate task.

5. Arrange a Professional Floor Plan

Photographs show how a property looks, but they do not always explain how the rooms connect.

A professional floor plan gives potential buyers and tenants another way to understand the property.

It can help show:

• Room arrangement

• Bedroom locations

• Bathroom locations

• Living areas

• Property layout

• How rooms connect

• Overall use of the available space

For flats, houses, apartments and properties with unusual layouts, a floor plan can be particularly useful.

When preparing a property for marketing, consider using the EPC, photographs and floor plan together.

6. Think About the Listing as One Complete Marketing Package

A property listing is made up of several different elements.

The EPC provides energy-efficiency information.

The photographs show the property’s appearance.

The floor plan explains the layout.

The written description provides additional information about the property.

When these elements are prepared consistently, prospective buyers or tenants can get a clearer picture of the property before arranging a viewing.

For estate agents and property professionals, we have a dedicated guide explaining this approach:

Estate Agent Property Marketing Package London: EPC, Photography & Floor Plans

This guide explains how EPCs, professional photography and floor plans can be organised as part of a property marketing process.

7. If You’re Marketing a Rental Property, Use a Separate Checklist

Rental properties have their own preparation requirements.

Before advertising a rental property, landlords and letting agents should check:

• Existing EPC

• EPC validity

• EPC rating

• Property photographs

• Floor plan

• Number of bedrooms

• Number of bathrooms

• Property type

• Furnishing information

• Outdoor space

• Parking information

• Heating information

• Other important property features

The EPC, photographs, floor plan and written description should all relate to the same property and provide consistent information.

For a dedicated rental preparation process, read:

Rental Property Listing Checklist London: EPC, Photos & Floor Plan

This provides a step-by-step checklist for landlords and letting agents preparing a property for rental marketing.

8. Check Your Property Details Carefully

Before publishing a listing, check all of the information that will appear online.

Important details can include:

Property basics

• Property type

• Number of bedrooms

• Number of bathrooms

• Approximate floor area

• Floor level where applicable

• Furnishing status

Features

• Garden

• Balcony

• Parking

• Garage

• Heating

• Storage

• Outdoor space

• Recent improvements

Marketing information

• Property description

• Photographs

• Floor plan

• EPC information

• Availability date

• Asking price or rental price

Small inconsistencies between the photographs, floor plan and written description can create confusion for potential buyers or tenants.

Take a few minutes to review the complete listing before publishing it.

9. Make Sure the Property Is Ready for Viewings

Marketing materials are only one part of the process.

Once enquiries begin, the property also needs to be ready for potential viewings.

Before launching the listing, consider:

• Cleaning the property

• Clearing entrances and hallways

• Checking lights

• Making sure rooms are accessible

• Organising outdoor areas

• Removing unnecessary personal belongings

• Making sure important features can be viewed

For occupied rental properties, communicate with tenants and arrange appointments appropriately.

A well-prepared property can make the transition from online listing to physical viewing more straightforward.

10. Consider Combining Property Services

If you need an EPC, professional photography and a floor plan, arranging everything separately can mean dealing with multiple appointments.

Depending on your requirements, combining services can make property preparation easier.

EPC Rate London’s Book Services page currently allows customers to request:

• Floor Plan & Property Photography

• EPC, Floor Plan & Property Photography

The booking page is designed for customers who need multiple property services organised together.

This can be particularly useful for:

• Estate agents

• Letting agents

• Landlords

• Property developers

• Homeowners preparing to sell

• Properties being prepared between tenancies

11. Don’t Leave the EPC Until the Last Minute

One of the easiest ways to create a delay is to discover that an EPC is required only after the rest of the property marketing has been prepared.

Check the EPC early.

If the existing certificate has expired, arrange a new assessment as soon as practical.

If you are unsure whether an existing certificate is available, use the GOV.UK EPC search service first.

For properties that require an urgent assessment, you can also explore the available EPC services through EPC Rate London.

12. Prepare Your Property for Online Marketing

Before publishing your property, make sure the complete marketing package is ready.

A practical property marketing package can include:

EPC + Professional Photography + Floor Plan + Property Description

Each element has a different purpose.

EPC

Provides energy-efficiency information.

Photography

Shows the property’s appearance, rooms and key features.

Floor Plan

Shows the property’s layout and relationship between rooms.

Property Description

Explains the features, location and practical information that photographs and floor plans cannot communicate on their own.

Together, these materials can give potential buyers or tenants more information before they arrange a viewing.

13. Final Pre-Listing Checklist

Before your London property goes live, work through this checklist.

EPC

• Existing EPC located

• EPC validity checked

• EPC rating reviewed

• New EPC arranged if required

• EPC information ready

Photography

• Property cleaned

• Rooms decluttered

• Beds prepared

• Kitchen tidy

• Bathrooms cleaned

• Curtains and blinds prepared

• Garden/outdoor areas tidy

• Professional photography booked

Floor Plan

• Floor plan arranged

• All rooms accessible

• Layout information checked

• Final floor plan ready for marketing

Listing

• Property description checked

• Bedrooms confirmed

• Bathrooms confirmed

• Property features checked

• Photographs reviewed

• Floor plan added

• EPC information added

• Price checked

• Availability date checked

14. What If Your Property Needs to Be Marketed Quickly?

Sometimes there is not much time between receiving instructions and launching a property.

A landlord may have a property becoming vacant, while an estate agent may need to prepare a new instruction quickly.

In these situations, organising the required services early can help.

Instead of waiting until the final stage, identify what you need at the beginning:

EPC → Photography → Floor Plan → Property Description → Final Listing

Where appropriate, several services can be coordinated through the EPC Rate London booking service.

This can reduce the amount of appointment coordination involved in preparing the property.

15. Why Property Preparation Matters

A property listing gives potential buyers and tenants their first opportunity to understand the property before arranging a viewing.

A complete listing can answer several important questions:

What does the property look like?

Professional photography helps answer this.

How is the property laid out?

The floor plan helps answer this.

What is the property’s energy rating?

The EPC provides this information.

What does the property offer?

The written description provides the additional details.

Preparing each element carefully can therefore make the listing more informative and easier to understand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I prepare before selling my London property?

Start by checking the EPC, preparing the property for photography, arranging professional photographs, obtaining a floor plan and checking the written property information before publishing the listing.

What should landlords check before advertising a rental property?

Landlords should check the EPC, property details, photographs, floor plan and other relevant information before the property is marketed. Our Rental Property Listing Checklist provides a more detailed process.

What if my EPC has expired?

If your EPC has expired and a valid certificate is required, you should arrange a new EPC assessment. See our Expired EPC London guide for more information.

Do I need professional property photography?

Professional photography is not the only possible way to market a property, but it can provide high-quality images designed specifically for property listings. See our Property Photography service for more information.

Is a floor plan useful for a property listing?

Yes. A floor plan can help potential buyers and tenants understand the property’s layout and how different rooms connect.

Can I book EPC, photography and floor plan services together?

Yes. The EPC Rate London Book Services page currently provides an option for customers to request EPC, floor plan and property photography together.

How can I contact EPC Rate London?

You can use the EPC Rate London contact page to submit your property details and enquire about the services you require.

Get Your London Property Ready for Marketing

Preparing a property for sale or rent is easier when the important pieces are organised from the beginning.

Start by checking your EPC, prepare the property for photography, arrange a professional floor plan and make sure the final property description is accurate.

If you need several services for the same property, you can book EPC, floor plan and property photography services through EPC Rate London.

You can also explore professional property photography in London or contact EPC Rate London to discuss your requirements.