DIY InventoryRenting in Dartford: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Dartford can get help.
Homes to rent in Dartford
Dartford is one of the fastest-growing districts in England: its population rose by about a fifth between 2011 and 2021, driven by new estates at Ebbsfleet Valley, Greenhithe and around the town. The older stock is Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Dartford, Swanscombe and Stone, with large post-war estates such as Temple Hill. Good rail links to London make it popular with commuters, so rents are high for Kent and many new-build flats and houses are let privately. Rural villages to the south, such as Longfield and the Darent valley, have mainly family houses and bungalows.
Average rent: £1,575 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.1% 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 Dartford homes
- New-build homes at Ebbsfleet Valley and Greenhithe: record any snagging still open, allocated parking spaces and the estate management company's rules.
- Riverside and town-centre blocks of flats: note fob, key and post-box key counts and photograph communal entrances, lifts and bin stores.
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Dartford, Swanscombe and Stone: check for damp in rear extensions and under bay windows, and photograph original sash or replacement windows.
- Flats over shops on Dartford high street: photograph the separate entrance, stairs, smoke alarms and any noise or smell from the business below.
- Former council houses on estates such as Temple Hill: note the condition of fences, gates and outbuildings, and any later alterations or extensions.
- Bungalows and chalet homes in Joydens Wood: photograph gutters, roofs and paths under the trees, and any moss or leaf build-up.
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 with disrepair or safety problems in a privately rented home can contact Dartford Borough Council's private sector housing team. Dartford Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Dartford: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Dartford?
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 Dartford get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety problems in a privately rented home can contact Dartford Borough Council's private sector housing team.
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.