DIY InventoryRenting in Runnymede: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Runnymede can get help.
Homes to rent in Runnymede
Runnymede is a Surrey commuter borough along the Thames, with high house prices and some of Surrey's highest private renting, helped by Royal Holloway, University of London in Egham. Egham and Englefield Green have many student shared houses, while Addlestone and Chertsey mix Victorian terraces, post-war estates and new apartment blocks. Virginia Water is known for very large detached houses, and low-lying parts of Egham Hythe, Thorpe and Chertsey near the Thames are prone to flooding.
Average rent: £1,587 a month (ONS, October 2025), up 0.9% 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 Runnymede homes
- Student houses in Egham and Englefield Green: photograph each bedroom lock, fire doors, alarms and the shared kitchen and bathroom separately.
- Homes near the Thames in Egham Hythe, Thorpe and Chertsey: photograph any tide marks, damp low on walls, air bricks and flood barriers.
- Large houses in Virginia Water and Ottershaw: record gates, alarms, garden equipment and any pool or outbuildings included in the let.
- New apartments in Addlestone town centre: note fob and key counts, parking bays, bike stores and balconies.
- Homes under the Heathrow flight paths: note window and door seals and any trickle vents.
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 can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Runnymede Borough Council's environmental health team.
Renting in Runnymede: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Runnymede?
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 Runnymede get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Runnymede Borough Council's environmental health team.
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.
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