DIY InventoryRenting in Bexley: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Bexley can get help.
Homes to rent in Bexley
Bexley is one of London's most owner-occupied boroughs, with rows of 1930s semis and terraces across Bexleyheath, Welling and Sidcup. Private renting is the lowest in London, but it rose over the decade to 2021, especially in the older terraced streets of Erith and Belvedere, where the council has a selective licensing scheme. Thamesmead and Abbey Wood have large post-war estates and new building around the Elizabeth line.
Average rent: £1,528 a month (ONS, May 2026), up 4.9% 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 Bexley homes
- In 1930s semis, photograph the front garden, driveway, garage door and side gate, as outdoor areas are often included in the let.
- In Victorian terraces in Erith and Belvedere, photograph damp patches at the base of walls, chimney breasts and the back addition, and note any signs of rising or penetrating damp.
- In Thamesmead maisonettes and blocks, record communal door, bin store and balcony access, and photograph walkways or stairwells that serve the flat.
- Photograph the boiler, its last service sticker and every radiator valve, as many houses have older gas central heating systems.
- If the house has a conservatory or rear extension, photograph its roof panels, seals and any leaks or condensation.
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
Bexley Council's private sector housing team deals with complaints about disrepair, damp and unsafe conditions in privately rented homes, and runs the Belvedere licensing scheme. Bexley Council: private renting.
Renting in Bexley: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Bexley?
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 Bexley get help?
Bexley Council's private sector housing team deals with complaints about disrepair, damp and unsafe conditions in privately rented homes, and runs the Belvedere licensing scheme.
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.