DIY InventoryRenting in Stevenage: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Stevenage can get help.
Homes to rent in Stevenage
Stevenage was the first post-war new town, designated in 1946, and most homes are 1950s to 1970s terraces, maisonettes and flats built in self-contained neighbourhoods with footpaths and cycleways. Social renting is high, at more than a quarter of households, and many former council homes are now let privately. The Old Town has older period houses, and the town centre is being rebuilt with new apartment blocks. Fast trains to London keep rental demand strong.
Average rent: £1,440 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 4.4% 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 Stevenage homes
- Former council terraces and maisonettes in Bedwell, Shephall and Broadwater: photograph the boiler, windows, fencing and any shared garden, bin store and stair areas.
- Homes of non-traditional 1950s and 60s construction: note any cracking, condensation and mould on outside walls, and photograph extractor fans and window vents.
- New apartment blocks in the regenerated town centre: note fob, key and parking permit counts, the post box and bin store, and any balcony furniture.
- Garage courts behind new-town terraces: record whether a garage or parking space is included, its key or remote and its condition.
- Period cottages in the Old Town: photograph sash windows, chimney breasts and any damp on solid walls.
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 Stevenage Borough Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords. Stevenage Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Stevenage: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Stevenage?
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 Stevenage get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Stevenage Borough 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.