DIY InventoryRenting in Blackpool: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Blackpool can get help.
Homes to rent in Blackpool
Blackpool's private rented sector is large and concentrated in the inner wards, where many former guest houses and Victorian terraces have been converted into small flats and bedsits. These areas, such as Claremont, Talbot and South Shore, have some of the poorest-condition housing in England and a high turnover of tenants, which is why the council has used selective licensing there. Away from the seafront, Bispham, Marton and Layton have more owner-occupied semis and bungalows. Seafront flats are exposed to wind and salt air.
Average rent: £700 a month (ONS Price Index of Private Rents, May 2026 edition), up 6.6% 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 Blackpool homes
- Former guest houses split into flats: photograph each flat's front door lock, the fire doors and alarms, and the shared stairs and hallways.
- Bedsits with shared bathrooms or kitchens: record which facilities are shared, their condition and how many keys each tenant holds.
- Seafront flats on the Promenade: photograph window frames, seals and any salt corrosion on metal railings, balconies and door furniture.
- Older terraces inland: check for damp at the base of walls and in back rooms, and photograph the yard, gate and bin area.
- Furnished flats: list and photograph every item of furniture and its condition, including mattresses and their fire labels.
- Bungalows in Bispham and Marton: note the condition of gardens, drives, garages and any adaptations such as grab rails.
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 can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Blackpool Council's housing enforcement team, which also runs its licensing scheme. Blackpool Council: private renting.
Renting in Blackpool: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Blackpool?
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 Blackpool get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Blackpool Council's housing enforcement team, which also runs its licensing scheme.
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.