DIY InventoryRenting in Buckinghamshire: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Buckinghamshire can get help.
Homes to rent in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a large county-wide council area, mostly owner-occupied, with high house prices in the south near London. High Wycombe and Aylesbury are the main towns, with a mix of Victorian terraces, post-war estates and large new developments. The south of the county, around Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and Amersham, has many large detached homes. Much of the Chilterns is protected countryside, with brick and flint cottages in the villages.
Average rent: £1,475 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 4.9% 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 Buckinghamshire homes
- Brick and flint cottages in the Chiltern villages: photograph walls, beams, open fireplaces and any damp patches at low level.
- Large detached houses in the south of the county: photograph driveways, electric gates, garages and garden lighting as well as the rooms.
- Hillside terraces and post-war estates in High Wycombe: photograph steps, retaining walls and rear gardens.
- New-build estates around Aylesbury: note snagging marks, shared parking and management company areas.
- Riverside homes in Marlow and along the Thames: photograph walls near floor level and gardens for signs of past flooding.
- Rural homes off the gas network: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and the boiler.
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 to Buckinghamshire Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and take action against landlords. Buckinghamshire Council: private renting.
Renting in Buckinghamshire: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Buckinghamshire?
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 Buckinghamshire get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions to Buckinghamshire Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and take action against landlords.
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.
Ready when you have the keys
Record your Buckinghamshire home’s condition today, on your phone.
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