DIY InventoryRenting in Havering: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Havering can get help.
Homes to rent in Havering
Havering has the highest rate of home ownership in London, and only about one household in six rented privately in 2021, though that share grew over the decade. Most homes are inter-war semis and terraces with gardens, alongside the large post-war Harold Hill estate and flats around Romford town centre. New-build estates at Beam Park and other sites in the south of the borough are adding homes. Since March 2026 the council licenses HMOs borough-wide and runs selective licensing in seven wards.
Average rent: £1,564 a month (ONS, July 2026), up 2.2% 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 Havering homes
- Inter-war semis and terraces with gardens: photograph the lawn, fences, gates, sheds and any garage, as gardens are a common check-out dispute.
- Driveways and dropped kerbs: photograph the drive surface, any oil stains and the front wall at check-in.
- Former council houses in Harold Hill: photograph the boiler, radiators and windows, and any damp in bathrooms and bedrooms.
- Flats above shops in Romford: photograph the rear entrance, external stairs and bin area, and count the keys for every door.
- New-build homes at Beam Park and Rainham: photograph flooring joints, worktops and any snagging marks, and record parking-permit and fob details.
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 report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions to Havering Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and use Housing Act 2004 notices against landlords. Havering Council: private renting.
Renting in Havering: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Havering?
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 Havering get help?
Private tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions to Havering Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and use Housing Act 2004 notices against landlords.
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.