Renting in Kingston upon Thames: check-in and getting your deposit back

Homes to rent in Kingston upon Thames

Kingston is a suburban borough of mostly inter-war semi-detached and terraced houses, with older Victorian streets and conversions around Kingston and Surbiton. Kingston University brings a large student market, with shared houses in Kingston, Norbiton and Surbiton, and the town centre has many new riverside flats. Private renting grew by almost five percentage points between 2011 and 2021. Family lets of 1930s semis with gardens and garages are common further south.

Average rent: £1,821 a month (ONS, September 2026), little changed on a year earlier (£1,829). Source

On moving-in day

1. Before unpacking, photograph every room: a wide shot, then each item, with the date and time on every photo.
2. Photograph the meters (gas, electricity, water) and write down the readings.
3. Count the keys and fobs, and test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
4. Note anything worn, marked or not working, and send it to the landlord or agent within a few days.

Things to look at in Kingston upon Thames homes

• Student shared houses near the university: photograph each bedroom, its door lock and furniture, and the shared kitchen appliances and worktops.
• 1930s semis: photograph bay windows, the original tiled porch or path, and the condition of the garage door.
• Riverside flats near the Thames: note any flood defence features, and photograph balconies, door seals and ground-floor walls.
• Victorian conversions in Surbiton: photograph sash windows, fire doors between flats and any shared hallway carpets.
• Gardens: photograph lawns, fences, sheds and the condition of patios and paths, since most houses here have one.

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

The council's environmental health (private sector housing) team can inspect privately rented homes for disrepair and hazards; contact it through kingston.gov.uk. Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames: private renting.

Do your check-in free Moving-in checklist