DIY InventoryInventory and check-in reports in Harlow
Harlow is a post-war new town in west Essex, laid out in neighbourhoods of terraced houses, maisonettes and low-rise flats around local shopping centres, with a high share of social housing. Many former council homes are now privately let, and office blocks in and near the town centre have been converted into flats. Newer estates at Church Langley and Newhall add family houses, and Old Harlow keeps its historic village core. Private renting grew quickly between 2011 and 2021, helped by commuting to London and Cambridge.
Homes sold in Harlow in the last 12 months
| Type | Sales | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced | 386 | £336,934 |
| Flat or maisonette | 188 | £206,915 |
| Semi-detached | 101 | £432,779 |
| Detached | 92 | £555,855 |
| Other | 20 | £1,111,838 |
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 Harlow check-in
- New town terraces and maisonettes: record flat roofs, communal walkways, stairwells, garages in separate blocks and the key or fob count for each.
- Office blocks converted into flats near the town centre: note the size of each room, ventilation, fire doors and alarms, and any condensation.
- Former council houses now privately let: photograph the boiler, windows, external doors and the condition of gardens and fencing.
- Shared homes: an HMO needs planning permission under the town-wide Article 4 direction, so check the licence and photograph each room's lock and furniture.
- Newer homes at Newhall and Church Langley: note snagging still outstanding, meter readings and parking allocations.
Do it yourself in Harlow
- 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.
Inventories in Harlow: questions
How much does an inventory clerk cost in Harlow?
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 Harlow?
£1,521 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 4.0% 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 Harlow postcode.
Do landlords need a licence in Harlow?
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme. Additional HMO licensing: No additional HMO licensing scheme: mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people from two or more households. A town-wide Article 4 direction means converting a home to an HMO needs full planning permission, and some council-built homes carry covenants limiting them to single-family use. Fees: £850 (or £600 for accredited landlords) for a mandatory HMO licence of up to six bedrooms; licences last one year, renewal £350 (£225) Check the council’s own page before letting, as schemes change.
Can I do my own check-in inventory in Harlow?
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 areas
Ready when you have the keys
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