DIY InventoryRenting in Fareham: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Fareham can get help.
Homes to rent in Fareham
Fareham is a largely owner-occupied suburban borough between Portsmouth and Southampton, dominated by post-war and late 20th-century estates of semis, detached houses and bungalows, particularly in the Western Wards around Locks Heath and Park Gate. The historic town centre and Titchfield have Georgian and older listed homes, and flats above shops line the main streets. Private renting is mostly family houses and flats let to people working in the naval, defence and aerospace industries around Portsmouth Harbour and Solent, and the large new settlement at Welborne is adding new-build homes.
Average rent: £1,201 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 2.8% 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 Fareham homes
- Coastal homes in Hill Head and Warsash: check window frames, door furniture and external metalwork for salt corrosion, and photograph garden fences exposed to the wind.
- Late 20th-century estate houses in Locks Heath and Park Gate: photograph conservatories, garages and drives, which are often included in the let.
- Listed and older cottages in Titchfield and the town centre: check timber windows, low ceilings and beams for cracks or damp, and note any original features.
- Bungalows in Portchester and Stubbington: photograph lofts and boarding if accessible, and gardens, sheds and patios.
- New-build homes at Welborne and Whiteley: record any snagging still outstanding, plus meter readings, bin storage and parking allocations.
- Flats above shops on West Street: note shared entrances, fire doors, entry phones and any ventilation problems in kitchens and bathrooms.
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 private let can contact Fareham Borough Council's environmental health (private sector housing) team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord. Fareham Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Fareham: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Fareham?
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 Fareham get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety problems in a private let can contact Fareham Borough Council's environmental health (private sector housing) team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord.
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.