DIY InventoryRenting in Thurrock: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Thurrock can get help.
Homes to rent in Thurrock
Thurrock sits on the Thames east of London, with former dock and industrial towns such as Grays and Tilbury, post-war London overspill estates at South Ockendon and Aveley, and large modern developments at Chafford Hundred. Private renting rose faster than the regional average between 2011 and 2021, and the council introduced selective and additional licensing in 2025 and 2026. Many tenants commute into London on the c2c line. Regeneration is under way at Purfleet and around Grays town centre.
Average rent: £1,372 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 5.5% 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 Thurrock homes
- Homes in the selective licensing wards: record smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and keep the licence, gas and EICR certificates with the report.
- Flats in Chafford Hundred and Purfleet: note fob and key counts, allocated parking, bin store access and communal area condition.
- Post-war estate homes in South Ockendon and Tilbury: check window seals, boiler cupboards and any condensation or mould on outside walls.
- Victorian terraces in Grays: photograph back yards, rear walls and any damp in rear rooms.
- Small HMOs in the additional licensing wards: record each bedroom lock and key, fire doors and the shared kitchen.
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
Private tenants can contact Thurrock Council's private sector housing team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions, or about a landlord who should be licensed. Thurrock Council: private renting.
Renting in Thurrock: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Thurrock?
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 Thurrock get help?
Private tenants can contact Thurrock Council's private sector housing team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions, or about a landlord who should be licensed.
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.