DIY InventoryRenting in Merton: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Merton can get help.
Homes to rent in Merton
Merton divides fairly clearly between Wimbledon, with Victorian and Edwardian houses, conversions and mansion flats, and Mitcham and Morden, with inter-war suburbs and large council estates such as St Helier. Private renting rose to nearly three in ten households by 2021, and rents rose faster than the London average over the year to August 2026. Regeneration of estates such as High Path is adding new flats.
Average rent: £2,172 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 5.4% 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 Merton homes
- Edwardian houses and conversions in Wimbledon: photograph sash and bay windows, original floors and fireplaces, and any cracks in ceilings.
- Inter-war semis in Morden and Mitcham: photograph the garden, garage, side gate and the condition of the original windows and doors.
- Ex-council homes on the St Helier and other estates: photograph outbuildings, fences and the condition of kitchens and bathrooms in detail.
- Wimbledon tennis fortnight lets: note any extra furniture or contents left for a short let and record their condition at the start.
- New-build flats near Wimbledon and Colliers Wood: record fobs and parking, and photograph balconies and the ventilation and heating controls.
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
Merton Council's environmental health (private sector housing) team can inspect privately rented homes for disrepair and hazards; contact it through merton.gov.uk. Merton Council: private renting.
Renting in Merton: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Merton?
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 Merton get help?
Merton Council's environmental health (private sector housing) team can inspect privately rented homes for disrepair and hazards; contact it through merton.gov.uk.
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.