DIY InventoryRenting in Waverley: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Waverley can get help.
Homes to rent in Waverley
Waverley is one of the most expensive districts in the South East, mostly owner-occupied, with private renting at about one household in seven. Its four towns, Farnham, Godalming, Haslemere and Cranleigh, have period centres with cottages, Georgian and Victorian houses, and many flats over shops. Students of the University for the Creative Arts rent in Farnham. The villages and Surrey Hills have tile-hung cottages and large detached homes, some on septic tanks or oil heating.
Average rent: £1,470 a month (ONS, September 2026), about the same as 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 Waverley homes
- Listed and period houses in Farnham and Godalming: photograph timber windows, old floorboards, fireplaces and any damp in cellars.
- Rural homes in the Surrey Hills villages: record the oil tank level and condition, septic tank access and private water supplies where they exist.
- Large detached houses with gardens: photograph lawns, hedges, garden equipment and garages, as garden upkeep is often in the tenancy.
- Student lets in Farnham near the university: note each room's furniture, locks and fire doors.
- Flats over shops in the town centres: check the separate entrance, stairs, intercom and any rear access.
- Wooded plots near Hindhead and Haslemere: photograph gutters, moss on roofs and drives, and any trees close to the house.
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
Waverley Borough Council's Private Sector Housing team handles disrepair, damp and mould and unsafe conditions in private rented homes, and licenses HMOs. Waverley Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Waverley: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Waverley?
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 Waverley get help?
Waverley Borough Council's Private Sector Housing team handles disrepair, damp and mould and unsafe conditions in private rented homes, and licenses HMOs.
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.
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