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South East · BN1, BN2, BN3, BN41, BN51

Inventory and check-in reports in Brighton and Hove

Brighton and Hove has one of the largest private rented sectors outside London, with about a third of households renting privately in 2021. Much of the stock is Regency and Victorian houses converted into flats, alongside small terraces in Hanover and North Laine. Two universities create a large student market, concentrated around Moulsecoomb, Bevendean and the Lewes Road, with many shared houses. Selective and additional licensing schemes cover large parts of the city, so landlords should check a property's licence status.

Average rent£1,808£1,808 a month (ONS, August 2026), down 1.2% on a year earlier Source
Average house price£409,000£409,000 (UK HPI, July 2026, provisional), down 1.1% on a year earlier Source
Homes sold, last 12 months2,675Average price paid £488,146 (HM Land Registry)
Households renting privately32.7%32.7% of households rent privately (Census 2021), up from 29.6% in 2011 Source
Council tax£2,581£2,581 Band D including police and fire precepts (2026/27, MHCLG figure as reported) Source
Landlord licensingSome areasWhat it means for you

Homes sold in Brighton and Hove in the last 12 months

TypeSalesAverage price
Flat or maisonette1,083£323,837
Terraced737£536,882
Semi-detached469£565,721
Detached283£827,428
Other103£581,636

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 Brighton and Hove check-in

  • Regency and Victorian conversions near the seafront: photograph sash windows, cornices, damp patches and any salt staining on window frames and railings.
  • Student HMOs around Moulsecoomb, Bevendean and the Lewes Road: photograph each bedroom door lock, fire doors, smoke alarms and the shared kitchen in detail.
  • Flats in converted houses: photograph the meter cupboards, communal hallway and stairs, and record keys for the street door and the flat.
  • Basement and lower-ground flats in Hove and Kemptown: photograph walls near floor level and light wells for damp and mould.
  • Steep Hanover terraces: photograph rear yards, steps and drains, and any cracks in garden walls.
  • Licensed properties: photograph the displayed licence or note its number, and check the room count matches the licence.

Do it yourself in Brighton and Hove

  • 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.

Start free Example report

Neighbourhoods

Areas of Brighton and Hove

KemptownNorth LaineHoveMoulsecoomb and BevendeanHanoverPreston Park and FivewaysWhitehawkPortslade

Letting in Brighton and Hove

Licensing, safety certificates, deposits and the local figures, for landlords.

Renting in Brighton and Hove

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 Brighton and Hove postcode.
Questions

Inventories in Brighton and Hove: questions

How much does an inventory clerk cost in Brighton and Hove?

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 Brighton and Hove?

£1,808 a month (ONS, August 2026), down 1.2% 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 Brighton and Hove postcode.

Do landlords need a licence in Brighton and Hove?

Selective licensing: Selective licensing has applied since 2 September 2024 (to 1 September 2029) in four wards: Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queen's Park, and Whitehawk & Brighton Marina. A further 13 areas were approved to be phased in, with Regency and Central Hove designated from 20 October 2026, but the council says that expansion is paused while a legal challenge is reviewed: check with the council before letting there. Additional HMO licensing: Citywide additional HMO licensing from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029 for HMOs of two or more storeys with three or four unrelated occupiers (single-storey flats with three or four sharers come under the selective scheme); larger HMOs need a mandatory licence. Fees: £740 for a standard selective licence (£518 on application, £222 on approval), £590–£665 with discounts, £840 if late (council fees page). Check the council’s own page before letting, as schemes change.

Can I do my own check-in inventory in Brighton and Hove?

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

Nearby areas

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