DIY InventoryInventory and check-in reports in Braintree
Braintree district is mostly owner-occupied, with about one in seven households renting privately. The rented stock is mainly terraced and semi-detached houses in Braintree, Witham and Halstead, plus flats in the town centres and newer estates. Witham and Braintree draw London and Chelmsford commuters, and large new estates continue to be built around both towns. The rural north of the district has many period and listed cottages, some off the gas network.
Homes sold in Braintree in the last 12 months
| Type | Sales | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached | 517 | £351,691 |
| Detached | 444 | £527,431 |
| Terraced | 403 | £290,345 |
| Flat or maisonette | 216 | £171,049 |
| Other | 60 | £765,206 |
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 Braintree check-in
- Timber-framed and listed cottages in Coggeshall and the villages: photograph beams, uneven floors, plaster cracks and any damp patches at low level.
- Crittall-style metal windows in Silver End and older homes: photograph frames, catches and any rust or condensation on the glazing.
- Rural homes off the gas network: photograph the oil tank or LPG tank, its gauge level and the boiler.
- New-build estates around Witham and Great Notley: note shared parking bays, management company bin areas and any snagging marks.
- Flats above shops in Braintree and Halstead town centres: photograph the shared entrance, stairs, door entry system and keys and fobs.
- Gardens and sheds on larger family houses: photograph fences, lawn condition and outbuildings, as these often cause check-out disputes.
Do it yourself in Braintree
- 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 Braintree
Braintree townGreat NotleyWithamHalsteadCoggeshallSilver EndHatfield PeverelSible Hedingham
Inventories in Braintree: questions
How much does an inventory clerk cost in Braintree?
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 Braintree?
£1,217 a month (ONS, July 2026), up 2.8% 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 Braintree postcode.
Do landlords need a licence in Braintree?
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme is listed on the council's site; only mandatory HMO licensing applies. Additional HMO licensing: No additional HMO licensing scheme is listed; mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people forming more than one household. Fees: For an HMO licence the council lists a £595 application fee plus a £445 issue fee for a new licence (renewal £550), 2026/27. Check the council’s own page before letting, as schemes change.
Can I do my own check-in inventory in Braintree?
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.
Nearby areas
UttlesfordChelmsfordMaldonColchesterBaberghWest SuffolkAll areas
Ready when you have the keys
Start your Braintree inventory today, on your phone. It’s free until you download it.
Start free