DIY InventoryRenting in Maidstone: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Maidstone can get help.
Homes to rent in Maidstone
Maidstone is Kent's county town, with Victorian terraces near the centre, large post-war estates to the south-east and many new-build estates on the town's edges. About one in six households rent privately, below the national share. The rural south of the borough has Weald villages with timber-framed houses and oast conversions, many off mains gas.
Average rent: £1,303 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 3.0% 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 Maidstone homes
- New-build estates on the town's edges: photograph snagging marks, sealant and any settlement cracks so they are recorded before the tenancy.
- Riverside flats near the Medway: note any damp or condensation and record fob, key and parking permit counts.
- Victorian terraces in Fant and Tovil: photograph sash or replacement windows, rear yards and any damp in back rooms.
- Timber-framed and weatherboarded cottages in the Weald villages: record beams, uneven floors, low doorways and the state of external boards.
- Rural homes off mains gas: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and the boiler service label.
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 or safety concerns can contact Maidstone Borough Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect privately rented homes. Maidstone Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Maidstone: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Maidstone?
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 Maidstone get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact Maidstone Borough Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect privately rented homes.
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.
Nearby areas
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