DIY InventoryRenting in Cheltenham: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Cheltenham can get help.
Homes to rent in Cheltenham
Cheltenham is known for its Regency architecture: large stucco terraces and villas in Montpellier, Pittville and the Suffolks, many of them listed and split into flats. Victorian terraces around St Paul's and the Tewkesbury Road area are let to students and young professionals, while the west of the town has post-war estates. New building has added apartment blocks in the centre and family estates on the edges. GCHQ, the University of Gloucestershire and the racecourse all add demand for lets.
Average rent: £1,240 a month (ONS Price Index of Private Rents, May 2026 edition), up 2.1% 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 Cheltenham homes
- Regency flats in Montpellier and Pittville: photograph sash windows and shutters, ornate ceilings, cornices and any cracks.
- Listed buildings: record original features such as fireplaces and doors carefully, as changes may need consent.
- Basement and lower-ground flats in the Regency terraces: check for damp, condensation and working extractor fans.
- Shared houses near the University of Gloucestershire campuses: photograph each bedroom's lock, the fire doors, smoke alarms and the shared kitchen.
- Communal hallways in converted villas: note shared meters, door entry systems, bins and the number of keys and fobs handed over.
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 Cheltenham Borough Council's private sector housing team. Cheltenham Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Cheltenham: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Cheltenham?
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 Cheltenham get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a privately rented home can contact Cheltenham Borough Council's private sector housing team.
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.