DIY InventoryRenting in Cambridge: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Cambridge can get help.
Homes to rent in Cambridge
Cambridge has one of the highest shares of private renting in the East of England, driven by its universities, research campuses and hospital. Victorian terraces in Romsey, Petersfield and Chesterton are widely let as shared houses and flats, while the north of the city has post-war estates. Large new-build districts at Trumpington, Clay Farm, Eddington and around the station have added many modern flats. Rents and prices are among the highest outside London.
Average rent: £1,805 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 1.8% 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 Cambridge homes
- Shared houses in Romsey and Petersfield: photograph each bedroom's lock and door, the fire doors, smoke alarms and the shared kitchen separately.
- Victorian terraces: check sash or replacement windows, chimney breasts and any damp or mould in rear extensions and bathrooms.
- New-build flats around the station, Trumpington and Eddington: record fob and key counts, bike store access, the post box and any snagging marks.
- Bicycles are everywhere: photograph bike sheds, racks and gates and note anything left behind at check-out.
- Furnished student and professional lets: list and photograph every item of furniture, with mattress condition and labels.
- Homes near the Cam and its streams: photograph ground-floor rooms and gardens for signs of damp or past flooding.
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 Cambridge City Council's residential environmental health team, which also licenses larger HMOs. Cambridge City Council: private renting.
Renting in Cambridge: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Cambridge?
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 Cambridge get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a privately rented home can contact Cambridge City Council's residential environmental health team, which also licenses larger HMOs.
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.