DIY InventoryRenting in Wokingham: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Wokingham can get help.
Homes to rent in Wokingham
Wokingham is one of the most affluent boroughs in England, with high home ownership and private renting below the national level. Much of the housing is modern, from the large 1970s and 1980s estates of Lower Earley and Woodley to the new communities at Arborfield Green, Shinfield and Montague Park. Earley has many student lets close to the University of Reading. The north of the borough has Thames-side villages such as Wargrave and Twyford.
Average rent: £1,480 a month (ONS, February 2026), up 4.5% 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 Wokingham homes
- New-build homes at Arborfield Green, Shinfield and Montague Park: check sealant, flooring and snagging marks, and note who maintains shared land and any estate charges.
- Student lets in Earley near the university: record each bedroom's lock, furniture and fire doors, and check a licence for five or more sharers.
- 1970s and 1980s houses in Lower Earley and Woodley: note older double glazing, shared parking courts and garages in blocks.
- Riverside homes along the Thames and Loddon in Wargrave and Twyford: check for flood damage, airbricks and watermarks.
- Large family homes: photograph gardens, fences, driveways and garages, as gardens are often part of the tenancy.
- Homes near the M4 and business parks: check window seals and ventilation.
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 housing complaints in Wokingham are handled by the Public Protection Partnership, which investigates disrepair and unsafe conditions in rented homes. Wokingham Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Wokingham: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Wokingham?
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 Wokingham get help?
Private housing complaints in Wokingham are handled by the Public Protection Partnership, which investigates disrepair and unsafe conditions in rented homes.
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.