DIY InventoryRenting in Havant: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Havant can get help.
Homes to rent in Havant
Havant borough sits between Portsmouth and the West Sussex border, taking in Havant, Waterlooville, Emsworth and Hayling Island. It has a large share of social housing, especially on the Leigh Park estate built after the war for Portsmouth families, and the lowest share of private renting in the South East. Much of the rest is interwar and post-war semis and bungalows, with historic cottages in Emsworth and many bungalows and chalets on Hayling Island. Large new estates have been built around Waterlooville.
Average rent: £1,140 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 1.7% 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 Havant homes
- Homes on Hayling Island and around Langstone Harbour: look for salt corrosion on window frames and outside metalwork, and any signs of past flooding.
- Former council houses in Leigh Park: record the boiler, windows and external doors, and the condition of gardens, sheds and fencing.
- Bungalows and chalet homes in Cowplain and Hayling: photograph the roof and gutters, loft hatch, conservatory and any flat-roof extension.
- Georgian and Victorian cottages in Emsworth: check sash windows, damp at the base of walls and low ceilings or beams.
- New-build homes west of Waterlooville: 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 Havant Borough Council's environmental health (private sector housing) team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord. Havant Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Havant: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Havant?
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 Havant get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a private let can contact Havant Borough 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.