DIY InventoryRenting in Arun: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Arun can get help.
Homes to rent in Arun
Arun is a stretch of the West Sussex coast between Worthing and Chichester, centred on Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, with Arundel and farmland inland. Much of the housing is bungalows and family houses, and the area has a large retired population. Private rented homes are concentrated in the older terraces and converted flats of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, and large new estates have been built around Angmering, Barnham and Yapton.
Average rent: £1,231 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.1% on a year earlier. Source
On moving-in day
- Before unpacking, photograph every room: a wide shot, then each item, with the date and time on every photo.
- Photograph the meters (gas, electricity, water) and write down the readings.
- Count the keys and fobs, and test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Note anything worn, marked or not working, and send it to the landlord or agent within a few days.
Things to look at in Arun homes
- Seafront homes in Bognor Regis, Felpham and Littlehampton: photograph window frames, external door furniture and any rust on railings and balconies from salt air.
- Flats converted from Victorian and Edwardian houses in Bognor Regis: note shared entrance keys, meter locations and the state of communal hallways.
- Bungalows: photograph loft hatches, any rooms in the roof, garages and garden sheds, and count the keys for each.
- Low-lying homes near the River Arun and the coast: photograph the base of walls, airbricks and skirting boards for damp.
- New-build homes in Angmering and Barnham: photograph any snagging marks, sealant around baths and showers, and the condition of turfed gardens.
Your deposit
Your landlord must protect your deposit in the DPS, TDS or mydeposits within 30 days and tell you which. At the end, deductions can only be for damage beyond fair wear and tear, cleaning back to the check-in standard, or rent owed. A dated check-in record is your best protection.
Help from the council
Tenants in Arun can contact Arun District Council’s private sector housing team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in a rented home.
Renting in Arun: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Arun?
Photograph every room and item before you unpack, with the date on each photo: walls, floors, windows, appliances, meters and keys. Note anything worn or damaged and get the landlord or agent to agree it in writing.
How do I get my deposit back?
Leave the home as you found it, allowing for fair wear and tear, and compare it with the check-in record. If you disagree with deductions, the deposit scheme’s free dispute service decides on the evidence.
Where can renters in Arun get help?
Tenants in Arun can contact Arun District Council’s private sector housing team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in a rented home.
Can a tenant do the check-in inventory?
Yes. With DIY Inventory a tenant can do it on their phone and send the landlord a link to check and sign it, so both sides have the same dated record.