DIY InventoryRenting in Spelthorne: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Spelthorne can get help.
Homes to rent in Spelthorne
Spelthorne lies along the Thames next to Heathrow, made up of Staines-upon-Thames, Ashford, Sunbury, Shepperton and Stanwell. Most homes are inter-war and post-war semis and terraces, with riverside houses and bungalows, and Staines town centre has seen many new apartment blocks and office conversions. Private renting rose sharply between 2011 and 2021, and the growth of shared houses near the airport led to planning controls on HMOs in three wards. Much of the borough is at risk of Thames flooding.
Average rent: £1,637 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 1.4% 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 Spelthorne homes
- Riverside homes in Staines, Laleham, Shepperton and Sunbury: check ground floors, skirting boards, garages and gardens for signs of past flooding, and note any flood barriers provided.
- New and converted apartment blocks in Staines: note fob, key and parking permit counts, the post box and bin store, and photograph windows and ventilation.
- Shared houses near Heathrow in Stanwell and Ashford: photograph each bedroom lock, fire doors, smoke alarms and the shared kitchen, and check the HMO licence for five or more sharers.
- Homes under the flight path: record the windows and any secondary glazing or acoustic insulation provided.
- Post-war semis and bungalows: photograph gardens, fences, sheds and driveways, which tenants are often expected to keep up.
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, damp or safety problems can contact Spelthorne Borough Council's Environmental Health team, which inspects privately rented homes and enforces HMO licensing. Spelthorne Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Spelthorne: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Spelthorne?
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 Spelthorne get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Spelthorne Borough Council's Environmental Health team, which inspects privately rented homes and enforces HMO licensing.
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.