DIY InventoryRenting in Breckland: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Breckland can get help.
Homes to rent in Breckland
Breckland is a large rural district of market towns and villages, with nearly one in five households renting privately in 2021. Thetford has a big stock of 1960s and 70s overspill housing, while Dereham, Attleborough and Swaffham mix period town houses with new estates. Former RAF quarters in Watton and homes let to service families near the military bases add to the rented stock. Many village homes are older brick and flint cottages, and some are off the gas network.
Average rent: £909 a month (ONS, March 2026), up 6.3% 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 Breckland homes
- Brick and flint cottages in the villages: photograph walls, pointing, damp patches and any condensation on cold north-facing rooms.
- Homes off the gas network: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and bund, or the LPG tank, and the boiler or stove.
- Septic tanks and private drainage in rural properties: note what the tenancy says about emptying and photograph the access cover.
- 1960s and 70s overspill homes in Thetford: photograph flat or shallow roofs where visible, window seals and any mould in bathrooms.
- Former military quarters in Watton: photograph kitchens, floor coverings and gardens, which are often handed back to a set standard.
- Large rural gardens: photograph hedges, lawns, sheds and outbuildings so their condition is clear at check-out.
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 other hazards to Breckland Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and require landlords to put things right. Breckland Council: private renting.
Renting in Breckland: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Breckland?
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 Breckland get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or other hazards to Breckland Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and require landlords to put things right.
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.