DIY InventoryRenting in Cannock Chase: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Cannock Chase can get help.
Homes to rent in Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase is a former coalfield district, and many homes are miners' terraces and post-war estates in Cannock, Hednesford, Chadsmoor and Norton Canes. Rugeley has a market-town centre and large new-build areas, including homes on the site of the old power station. Private renting is lower than the national average, at about one in six households, and most lets are terraced houses and semis rather than flats. The district takes its name from the Cannock Chase forest and heathland to the north.
Average rent: £867 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 7.2% 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 Cannock Chase homes
- Former miners' terraces in Hednesford and Chadsmoor: photograph back yards, rear gates, outbuildings and any cracking to walls or ceilings.
- Post-war semis on the estates: record the boiler, any storage heaters and the condition of replacement windows and doors.
- New-build homes in Rugeley and on the district's edges: note snagging marks, sealant around baths and showers and the state of new turf and fences.
- Homes backing onto Cannock Chase woodland: photograph gardens, fences and gutters for leaf build-up and any damage from trees.
- Flats over shops in Cannock and Rugeley town centres: check the separate entrance, the fire alarm, stair lighting and the number of keys handed over.
- Driveways and garages on family estates: photograph the condition of drives, garage doors and any items left in garages or sheds.
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 Cannock Chase District Council's private sector housing team, part of its environmental health service. Cannock Chase District Council: private renting.
Renting in Cannock Chase: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Cannock Chase?
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 Cannock Chase get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a privately rented home can contact Cannock Chase District Council's private sector housing team, part of its environmental health service.
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.
Nearby areas
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