DIY InventoryRenting in Harborough: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Harborough can get help.
Homes to rent in Harborough
Harborough is a largely rural district in south Leicestershire, centred on the market towns of Market Harborough and Lutterworth, with large villages such as Broughton Astley, Kibworth and Fleckney and suburban villages on the edge of Leicester. Most homes are owner-occupied semis and detached houses, many on estates built since the 1990s, and private renting is well below the regional average. Older terraces and period houses in the town centres and village cottages make up much of the rest of the rented stock.
Average rent: £963 a month (ONS, July 2026), up 2.9% 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 Harborough homes
- Period houses and terraces in Market Harborough and Lutterworth town centres: check sash windows, damp at the base of walls and the condition of rear yards.
- Village cottages: record beams, low ceilings, open fireplaces and chimneys, uneven floors and any oil tank or septic tank.
- Newer estate homes in Market Harborough, Lutterworth and Kibworth: note snagging still outstanding, meter readings and parking allocations.
- Rural homes off the mains: photograph oil tank gauges, the boiler and any private water or drainage equipment.
- Homes near the Welland and the Soar's tributaries: look for signs of past flooding or damp in ground-floor rooms.
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 Harborough District Council's environmental health (housing) team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord. Harborough District Council: private renting.
Renting in Harborough: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Harborough?
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 Harborough get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a private let can contact Harborough District Council's environmental health (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.