DIY InventoryRenting in Haringey: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Haringey can get help.
Homes to rent in Haringey
Haringey's west, around Highgate, Muswell Hill and Crouch End, is mostly large Victorian and Edwardian houses, many converted into flats, while the east, around Tottenham and Wood Green, has denser terraces, flats above shops and big post-war estates. More than a third of households rented privately in 2021, and shared homes and HMOs are common on the Harringay Ladder and in Tottenham. Regeneration around Tottenham Hale and the High Road is adding new-build towers. The council licenses HMOs borough-wide and runs selective licensing in 14 wards.
Average rent: £2,213 a month (ONS, July 2026), up 1.5% 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 Haringey homes
- Converted Victorian houses in Crouch End, Stroud Green and Harringay: photograph the shared hallway, stairs, fire doors and meter cupboards, and count street-door and flat keys.
- HMOs and shared homes: photograph each room's lock and smoke alarm, the shared kitchen and bathroom, and any furniture provided in each room.
- Flats above shops on Wood Green and Tottenham High Roads: photograph the rear access, external stairs and any damp or mould around windows.
- Edwardian houses in Muswell Hill: photograph original features such as fireplaces, timber floors and stained glass, and any cracks in plaster on the hilly streets.
- New-build towers at Tottenham Hale: record fob and parking counts, photograph the balcony and note any snagging marks on floors and worktops.
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
Private tenants can contact Haringey Council's private sector housing team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions, and can check whether their home should have a licence. Haringey Council: private renting.
Renting in Haringey: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Haringey?
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 Haringey get help?
Private tenants can contact Haringey Council's private sector housing team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions, and can check whether their home should have a licence.
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.