DIY InventoryRenting in St Albans: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in St Albans can get help.
Homes to rent in St Albans
St Albans is one of the most expensive districts outside London, with fast trains into the capital from St Albans City and Harpenden. The city has a medieval and Georgian core, streets of Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Fleetville and around the stations, and inter-war and post-war suburbs. Harpenden has larger Edwardian and inter-war family houses. Private renting is below the national average and HMOs are few; most lets are flats and family houses for commuters.
Average rent: £1,931 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 2.9% 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 St Albans homes
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Fleetville and near the stations: photograph sash or bay windows, chimney breasts, gardens and any damp in rear rooms.
- Listed and conservation-area houses in the city centre: record original features such as fireplaces, shutters and old windows in detail, as repairs need consent.
- Large family houses in Harpenden and Marshalswick: photograph gardens, hedges, garages and driveways, and agree what upkeep the tenant is expected to do.
- Flats near St Albans City and Harpenden stations: note fob, key, parking permit and bike store counts, and the bin store arrangements.
- Period cottages in Redbourn and Wheathampstead: photograph beams, low ceilings, damp on solid walls and any wood burner.
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 St Albans City and District Council's Private Sector Housing Team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords. St Albans City and District Council: private renting.
Renting in St Albans: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in St Albans?
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 St Albans get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact St Albans City and District Council's Private Sector Housing Team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords.
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.