DIY InventoryInventory and check-in reports in Barking and Dagenham
Much of the borough is the Becontree Estate, the huge interwar council estate of small brick terraced houses, a large share of which were sold under right to buy and are now let privately. Barking town centre and Barking Riverside have added thousands of new-build flats, while older estates such as Gascoigne are being rebuilt. Private renting grew faster here between 2011 and 2021 than across England, and the council licenses most private lets in its designated areas.
Homes sold in Barking and Dagenham in the last 12 months
| Type | Sales | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced | 639 | £405,862 |
| Flat or maisonette | 254 | £229,518 |
| Semi-detached | 110 | £452,329 |
| Other | 38 | £1,697,025 |
| Detached | 16 | £486,756 |
HM Land Registry Price Paid Data since 27 October 2025, updated monthly. Look up any address in the free property report.
What to check at a Barking and Dagenham check-in
- In Becontree Estate cottages, photograph the front and back gardens, fences and sheds, since boundary and outbuilding condition is a common dispute in these small terraced houses.
- Many ex-council houses have later uPVC windows and doors: photograph each handle, lock and any misted double-glazed units, and count the window keys.
- Check for loft and wall extensions or converted garages in ex-council houses and photograph their ceilings and corners for damp or cracks.
- In new-build flats at Barking Riverside and the town centre, record fob, car park and post box key counts, and photograph the meter cupboard and any communal heating unit.
- Photograph bathroom extractor fans, window seals and the corners of ceilings in each room, as condensation mould is common in older, smaller terraced houses.
Do it yourself in Barking and Dagenham
- No clerk to book: do it whenever you have the keys, before the tenant moves in or with them there.
- £30 a report instead of a clerk’s fee for every check-in, inspection and check-out.
- The check-out starts from the check-in and shows what has changed, photos side by side.
- Prefer paper? Use the free inventory template.
Areas of Barking and Dagenham
BarkingBarking RiversideBecontreeDagenhamChadwell HeathGascoigneThames ViewMarks GateRush Green
Letting in Barking and Dagenham
Licensing, safety certificates, deposits and the local figures, for landlords.
Renting in Barking and Dagenham
Your check-in, getting your deposit back, and where to get help locally.
Free property report
EPC, sold prices, crime, flood risk and rental yield for any Barking and Dagenham postcode.
Inventories in Barking and Dagenham: questions
How much does an inventory clerk cost in Barking and Dagenham?
Clerks usually charge per visit, more for bigger or furnished homes, so a check-in and a check-out together often come to a few hundred pounds. With DIY Inventory each report is £30, whatever the size, and you can do it as soon as you have the keys.
What is the average rent in Barking and Dagenham?
£1,693 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 3.6% on a year earlier. Rents vary a lot by street and type of home; the free property report shows sold prices, the EPC and more for any Barking and Dagenham postcode.
Do landlords need a licence in Barking and Dagenham?
Selective licensing: Selective licensing covers most privately rented homes in three designated areas of the borough, from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2030 (it replaced the earlier scheme that ended in 2024). Check the council's designation maps for a particular street. Additional HMO licensing: Borough-wide additional HMO licensing for smaller HMOs (three or four people in two or more households), launched on 9 January 2025 for five years. Fees: About £950 for a selective licence, paid in two parts (£650 on application and £300 on grant, per the council's fee table; another council page shows £470 + £430, so check the current fees). Check the council’s own page before letting, as schemes change.
Can I do my own check-in inventory in Barking and Dagenham?
Yes. Landlords, agents and tenants can do it on a phone: a photo checklist for every room, the date and time stamped on every photo, every item’s condition, and both sides sign. The PDF is ready the moment it’s signed.
Will a DIY inventory stand up in a deposit dispute?
Deposit schemes (DPS, TDS, mydeposits) decide on the evidence, above all the condition at check-in compared with check-out. Dated photos of every room, signed by both sides, are exactly that evidence.
Ready when you have the keys
Start your Barking and Dagenham inventory today, on your phone. It’s free until you download it.
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