Renting in Epsom and Ewell: check-in and getting your deposit back

Homes to rent in Epsom and Ewell

Epsom and Ewell is a compact, mostly suburban borough of interwar semi-detached houses, with Victorian and Edwardian homes around Epsom and Ewell Village. Several large estates were built from the 1990s onwards on the former hospital cluster around Horton, mixing new houses with flats in converted Victorian hospital buildings. Prices are high for the region, and lettings are mainly family houses and flats for London commuters, with some shared homes for students at the University for the Creative Arts' Epsom campus.

On moving-in day

1. Before unpacking, photograph every room: a wide shot, then each item, with the date and time on every photo.
2. Photograph the meters (gas, electricity, water) and write down the readings.
3. Count the keys and fobs, and test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
4. Note anything worn, marked or not working, and send it to the landlord or agent within a few days.

Things to look at in Epsom and Ewell homes

• Interwar semis in Stoneleigh and Ewell Court: photograph original bay windows, any replacement glazing seals, and the condition of garages and side gates.
• Converted hospital buildings and newer blocks around Horton: record communal entrances, fob and key counts, allocated parking and bin store access.
• Victorian and Edwardian homes near Epsom town centre: check sash windows, high ceilings for cracks, and any signs of damp in cellars or rear extensions.
• Gardens are common in this suburban borough: photograph lawns, fences, sheds and patios so their condition is clear at check-out.
• Flats above shops on Epsom High Street: note shared stair access, entry systems and any noise or ventilation issues in the kitchen and bathroom.
• Student shared houses near the creative arts campus: record each bedroom's furniture and lock separately, and note fire doors and alarms.

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 in a privately rented home can contact Epsom and Ewell Borough Council's private sector housing (environmental health) team after first reporting the issue to their landlord.

Do your check-in free Moving-in checklist