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For tenantsRenting in East Hertfordshire: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in East Hertfordshire can get help.
Homes to rent in East Hertfordshire
East Hertfordshire is a mix of commuter market towns and villages, with high owner-occupation and house prices well above the national average. Private lets are mostly in Bishop's Stortford, Hertford and Ware, ranging from flats in converted Victorian houses and over shops to modern apartments and new-build estates. Bishop's Stortford has grown with large new developments, and the villages have many listed and timber-framed cottages. Stansted Airport just over the border brings demand from airport workers.
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 East Hertfordshire homes
- Timber-framed and listed cottages in the villages: photograph beams, uneven floors, leaded or old windows and any cracks in plaster so their condition is on record.
- Riverside homes in Ware, Hertford and along the Lea and Stort: photograph any damp tide marks on walls and floors and the condition of any garden next to the water.
- New-build estates in Bishop's Stortford: photograph snagging marks, sealant and grout, and note parking permits, bin rules and any estate management charges.
- Flats in converted Victorian houses: photograph the communal hall, fire doors and smoke alarms, and note the key and fob count for each door.
- Homes off the gas grid in rural villages: photograph the oil tank, its gauge and level, and the boiler service label.
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, damp or safety problems can contact East Herts Council's environmental health service, which deals with private rented housing and can take action against landlords.
Renting in East Hertfordshire: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in East Hertfordshire?
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 East Hertfordshire get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact East Herts Council's environmental health service, which deals with private rented housing and can 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.
Ready when you have the keys
Record your East Hertfordshire home’s condition today, on your phone.
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