DIY InventoryRenting in Gravesham: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Gravesham can get help.
Homes to rent in Gravesham
Gravesham runs from the Thames at Gravesend and Northfleet south into the villages of the North Downs. The towns have dense Victorian terraces, many of them privately let or split into flats, alongside post-war estates such as Riverview Park and new homes at Springhead as part of Ebbsfleet Garden City. The southern villages of Meopham, Istead Rise and Vigo are mostly owner-occupied detached houses and bungalows. Private renting rose between 2011 and 2021, helped by fast trains to London from Gravesend and Ebbsfleet.
Average rent: £1,336 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 5.3% 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 Gravesham homes
- Victorian terraces in Gravesend and Northfleet split into flats: photograph each flat's meters, door entry system, shared hallway and any fire doors.
- Riverside flats in Gravesend: note fob and key counts, parking spaces, lifts and bin stores, and look for condensation around large windows.
- New-build homes at Springhead and Ebbsfleet: record any snagging still outstanding, plus meter readings and parking allocations.
- Older terraces near the river: check for damp at the base of walls and in rear kitchens, and photograph yards and rear access.
- Rural homes in Meopham, Vigo and Higham: photograph septic tanks or oil tanks where there are any, gardens, fences and outbuildings.
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 private let can contact Gravesham Borough Council's private sector housing team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord. Gravesham Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Gravesham: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Gravesham?
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 Gravesham get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a private let can contact Gravesham Borough Council's 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.