DIY InventoryRenting in Sutton: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Sutton can get help.
Homes to rent in Sutton
Sutton is a mainly suburban borough of interwar semis and terraces, with older Victorian cottages in Carshalton and the large St Helier cottage estate on the Merton border. Home ownership is high (64.4% in 2021) and private renting is below the London average, at 20.3% of households. Sutton town centre has the most flats, including office-to-flat conversions and new blocks, and the borough’s grammar schools draw families who rent whole houses.
Average rent: £1,553 a month (ONS, July 2026), up 2.0% 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 Sutton homes
- Interwar semis: photograph garages, side passages, gates and fences, and the condition of the front and back gardens.
- Bay windows and older double glazing: photograph seals, handles and locks, and any mist between the panes.
- Extensions and loft conversions are common: photograph ceilings and corners for cracks or damp staining, and note rooflights.
- Town-centre flats, including converted offices: photograph the communal entrance, lift, post boxes and bin store, and record fob and key counts.
- Older cottages in Carshalton: photograph solid walls and floors for damp, and any open fireplaces or wood burners.
- Photograph the boiler, stopcock and meters, and test and photograph each smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.
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
Sutton Council’s private sector housing service can inspect privately rented homes for disrepair and hazards; tenants can contact it through the council’s housing pages. Sutton Council: private renting.
Renting in Sutton: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Sutton?
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 Sutton get help?
Sutton Council’s private sector housing service can inspect privately rented homes for disrepair and hazards; tenants can contact it through the council’s housing pages.
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.