DIY InventoryRenting in Broadland: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Broadland can get help.
Homes to rent in Broadland
Broadland wraps around the north of Norwich, so much of its housing is suburban: post-war and modern estates in Sprowston, Hellesdon, Thorpe St Andrew and Taverham. Large new developments are being built in the growth area north-east of Norwich. The rural north has market towns such as Aylsham and Reepham and many villages, some within the Broads. Bungalows are common and the district is mostly owner-occupied.
Average rent: £939 a month (ONS, May 2026), up 5.9% 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 Broadland homes
- Bungalows in the suburbs and villages: photograph loft hatches, flat-roofed extensions and garden paths.
- Riverside and Broads homes around Wroxham and Acle: photograph moorings, garden edges and any signs of flooding or damp.
- Rural homes off the gas network: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and the boiler.
- Septic tanks and private drainage in villages: photograph the access cover and note who is responsible for emptying.
- New-build homes in the growth area north-east of Norwich: note snagging marks, shared parking and management company areas.
- Older brick and flint cottages: photograph walls, beams and window frames for damp and rot.
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 can report disrepair, damp or unsafe homes to the council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and take enforcement action. Broadland District Council: private renting.
Renting in Broadland: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Broadland?
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 Broadland get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe homes to the council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and take enforcement action.
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.
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