DIY InventoryRenting in Harlow: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Harlow can get help.
Homes to rent 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.
Average rent: £1,521 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 4.0% 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 Harlow homes
- 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.
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 Harlow Council's environmental health (private sector housing) team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord. Harlow Council: private renting.
Renting in Harlow: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Harlow?
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 Harlow get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a private let can contact Harlow Council's environmental health (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.