DIY InventoryRenting in Medway: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Medway can get help.
Homes to rent in Medway
Medway's five towns, Rochester, Strood, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham, have a large stock of Victorian terraces, many of them privately rented, alongside post-war estates and new riverside apartments. About one in five households rent privately, with shared houses near the universities' Medway campus and the town centres. New licensing schemes cover the central wards of Chatham, Gillingham and Strood.
Average rent: £1,232 a month (ONS, August 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 Medway homes
- Victorian terraces in Gillingham and Chatham: photograph the rear yard, gutters, and any damp or mould in back kitchens and bathrooms.
- Shared houses near the Medway campus: photograph each bedroom lock, fire doors, smoke alarms and the posted licence.
- Hillside homes in Chatham: record steps, retaining walls and paths, and any cracks in external walls.
- Riverside and dockyard apartments: note fob, key and parking counts, and photograph balconies and window seals.
- Homes in the new licensing wards: photograph the licence and check it shows the right address and expiry date.
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 Medway Council's private sector housing team, which runs the licensing schemes and can inspect homes. Medway Council: private renting.
Renting in Medway: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Medway?
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 Medway get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact Medway Council's private sector housing team, which runs the licensing schemes and can inspect 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.