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London borough · E2, E5, E8, E9, N1, N4

Inventory and check-in reports in Hackney

Hackney has one of the highest shares of social housing in England, with large post-war estates across the borough, and fewer than a quarter of households own their home. The private rented sector, about a third of households in 2021, is mostly Victorian terraces converted into flats, warehouse conversions and new-build blocks in Shoreditch, Dalston and Hackney Wick. Many homes are flat-shares and HMOs let to young sharers. From May 2026 most privately rented homes need a licence from the council.

Average rent£2,658£2,658 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.6% on a year earlier Source
Average house price£606,000£606,000 (UK HPI, July 2026, provisional), down 2.6% on a year earlier Source
Homes sold, last 12 months1,460Average price paid £688,153 (HM Land Registry)
Households renting privately32.2%32.2% of households rent privately (Census 2021), up from 29.0% in 2011 Source
Council tax£2,060.30£2,060.30 (Band D, 2026/27, including the GLA precept) Source
Landlord licensingSome areasWhat it means for you

Homes sold in Hackney in the last 12 months

TypeSalesAverage price
Flat or maisonette1,134£551,873
Terraced225£1,152,034
Other65£993,987
Semi-detached30£1,526,801
Detached6£1,543,000

HM Land Registry Price Paid Data since 27 October 2025, updated monthly. Look up any address in the free property report.

What to check at a Hackney check-in

  • Victorian terraces converted into flats: photograph the shared hallway and stairs, the fire doors and the meter cupboard, and count the keys for the street door and the flat.
  • Flat-shares and HMOs: photograph each bedroom's lock and smoke alarm, the shared kitchen appliances and the fridge and cupboard space given to each tenant.
  • Warehouse conversions in Shoreditch and Hackney Wick: photograph exposed brick, concrete floors and large steel-framed windows, where marks and condensation are common.
  • Estate flats: note entry-phone and lift working on the day, the fob count and the condition of balconies and bin chutes.
  • Older sash windows in Stoke Newington and De Beauvoir: check cords, locks and draughts and photograph any rot on the sills.

Do it yourself in Hackney

  • No clerk to book: do it whenever you have the keys, before the tenant moves in or with them there.
  • £30 a report instead of a clerk’s fee for every check-in, inspection and check-out.
  • The check-out starts from the check-in and shows what has changed, photos side by side.
  • Prefer paper? Use the free inventory template.

Start free Example report

Neighbourhoods

Areas of Hackney

DalstonStoke NewingtonHackney CentralClaptonHomertonHackney WickShoreditch and HoxtonStamford HillHaggerston and De Beauvoir

Letting in Hackney

Licensing, safety certificates, deposits and the local figures, for landlords.

Renting in Hackney

Your check-in, getting your deposit back, and where to get help locally.

Free property report

EPC, sold prices, crime, flood risk and rental yield for any Hackney postcode.
Questions

Inventories in Hackney: questions

How much does an inventory clerk cost in Hackney?

Clerks usually charge per visit, more for bigger or furnished homes, so a check-in and a check-out together often come to a few hundred pounds. With DIY Inventory each report is £30, whatever the size, and you can do it as soon as you have the keys.

What is the average rent in Hackney?

£2,658 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.6% on a year earlier. Rents vary a lot by street and type of home; the free property report shows sold prices, the EPC and more for any Hackney postcode.

Do landlords need a licence in Hackney?

Selective licensing: Selective licensing came into force on 1 May 2026 and runs until 30 April 2031. It covers privately rented homes in 17 of Hackney's 21 wards, about three-quarters of the borough's private rented homes. Additional HMO licensing: Additional HMO licensing also started on 1 May 2026, for shared homes with three or more people from two or more households. The consultation described it as borough-wide, while the council's later news release says it covers the four wards left out of selective licensing; check the address with the council. Fees: £925 for a selective licence and £1,400 for an additional HMO licence, each paid in two parts (2026) Check the council’s own page before letting, as schemes change.

Can I do my own check-in inventory in Hackney?

Yes. Landlords, agents and tenants can do it on a phone: a photo checklist for every room, the date and time stamped on every photo, every item’s condition, and both sides sign. The PDF is ready the moment it’s signed.

Will a DIY inventory stand up in a deposit dispute?

Deposit schemes (DPS, TDS, mydeposits) decide on the evidence, above all the condition at check-in compared with check-out. Dated photos of every room, signed by both sides, are exactly that evidence.

Nearby

Neighbouring boroughs

IslingtonHaringeyWaltham ForestNewhamTower HamletsCity of LondonAll areas

Ready when you have the keys

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