DIY InventoryRenting in Dover: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Dover can get help.
Homes to rent in Dover
Dover district has the port town of Dover, with steep streets of Victorian terraces and many houses converted to flats, the coastal towns of Deal and Walmer, the medieval town of Sandwich, and former East Kent coalfield villages such as Aylesham. Older housing is common, much of it in conservation areas. Coastal homes face wind and salt exposure, and some housing in Dover sits on steep chalk slopes.
Average rent: £1,029 a month (ONS, July 2026), up 9.7% 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 Dover homes
- Victorian houses split into flats in Dover: photograph fire doors, alarms and the shared hallway, and record the keys for each door.
- Seafront homes in Deal and Walmer: photograph window frames, render and metal fittings for salt and wind damage.
- Steep hillside streets in Dover: photograph steps, retaining walls, gutters and any damp on walls built into the slope.
- Listed homes in Sandwich: photograph original windows, doors, beams and floors as they are, since repairs need consent.
- Former coalfield homes in Aylesham and nearby villages: photograph walls for cracking and the condition of gardens and fences.
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
Private tenants with disrepair or unsafe conditions can contact Dover District Council's private sector housing team. Dover District Council: private renting.
Renting in Dover: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Dover?
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 Dover get help?
Private tenants with disrepair or unsafe conditions can contact Dover District 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.