DIY InventoryRenting in Bury: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Bury can get help.
Homes to rent in Bury
Bury's rented homes are mostly Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Bury town, Radcliffe and Elton, and stone terraces in the Pennine towns of Ramsbottom and Tottington. The south of the borough, Whitefield and Prestwich, has more inter-war semis and apartment blocks close to the Metrolink into Manchester. Social renting makes up about one in seven homes, and the private rented share has grown since 2011. Only larger HMOs need a licence here.
Average rent: £969 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 0.8% 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 Bury homes
- Stone terraces in Ramsbottom and Tottington: photograph window reveals, chimney breasts and any damp or mould on north-facing walls.
- Victorian red-brick terraces in Bury and Radcliffe: record the condition of back yards, rear gates, outhouses and gutters.
- Cellars and under-stairs cupboards in older terraces: photograph any tide marks, damp or stored items left behind.
- Apartment blocks near Prestwich and Whitefield Metrolink stops: note fob and key counts, the post box, bike store and bin store access.
- Converted mill apartments: photograph large windows, exposed brick and any condensation marks around frames.
- Homes near the River Irwell and Roch: check ground floors and gardens for signs of past flooding or damp.
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 with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a privately rented home can contact Bury Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and take action against landlords. Bury Council: private renting.
Renting in Bury: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Bury?
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 Bury get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a privately rented home can contact Bury 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.