DIY InventoryRenting in New Forest: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in New Forest can get help.
Homes to rent in New Forest
New Forest District wraps around the New Forest National Park, with coastal towns such as Lymington and New Milton, the Waterside towns of Totton, Hythe and Fawley by Southampton Water, and the Avon valley towns of Ringwood and Fordingbridge. Most households own their homes, and about one in seven rent privately, often in Victorian cottages, post-war estate houses and flats. Homes in the national park include older forest cottages, some thatched and some off mains gas.
Average rent: £1,240 a month (ONS, May 2026), up 1.5% 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 New Forest homes
- Coastal homes in Lymington, Milford on Sea and Barton: photograph salt-pitted metal, window seals and any damp on seaward walls.
- Forest cottages and thatched homes: record the thatch where visible, beams, wood burners and flues, and damp in solid walls.
- Rural homes off mains gas: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and the boiler service label.
- Homes in the Avon valley near Ringwood and Fordingbridge: note any signs of past flooding on floors and lower walls.
- Homes with forest grazing outside: record gates, cattle grids, fences and gardens, as ponies and cattle roam the open forest.
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 New Forest District Council's Private Sector Housing Team, which can inspect homes and take enforcement action. New Forest District Council: private renting.
Renting in New Forest: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in New Forest?
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 New Forest get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact New Forest District Council's Private Sector Housing Team, which can inspect homes and take enforcement action.
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.