DIY InventoryRenting in Broxbourne: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Broxbourne can get help.
Homes to rent in Broxbourne
Broxbourne is a compact commuter borough in the Lea Valley, just north of London, with rail links into Liverpool Street. Most homes are inter-war and post-war semis and terraces in Cheshunt, Waltham Cross and Hoddesdon, with newer flats near stations. Goffs Oak and the western edge have larger detached houses. The Lea Valley Park runs along the east side, where some homes are near rivers and the glasshouse nurseries once were.
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 Broxbourne homes
- Flats near Cheshunt and Waltham Cross stations: photograph communal doors, entry phones and bin stores, and count every key and fob.
- Post-war semis and terraces: photograph extensions, conservatories and their roofs for leaks.
- Homes near the River Lea and its channels: photograph walls near floor level and garden edges for damp or past flooding.
- Larger houses in Goffs Oak: photograph driveways, gates, garages and garden lighting.
- Flats above shops in Hoddesdon and Waltham Cross: photograph the street door, stairs and meter cupboards.
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 conditions to Broxbourne Borough Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and take action against landlords. Broxbourne Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Broxbourne: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Broxbourne?
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 Broxbourne get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions to Broxbourne Borough Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and take action against landlords.
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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