DIY InventoryRenting in Chichester: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Chichester can get help.
Homes to rent in Chichester
Chichester district stretches from Chichester Harbour and the Manhood Peninsula north into the South Downs National Park. The city has Georgian and Victorian terraces, many let to University of Chichester students and young workers, plus modern flats and estates. The coast around Selsey and the Witterings has many bungalows, holiday lets and second homes, while the north of the district has flint and stone cottages in villages and the market towns of Midhurst and Petworth. House prices are high for West Sussex and a lot of new housing has been built at Tangmere, Southbourne and west of the city.
Average rent: £1,326 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 2.8% 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 Chichester homes
- Student lets near the University of Chichester: photograph each bedroom's lock, furniture and the shared kitchen and bathroom separately.
- Georgian and Victorian terraces in the city: check sash windows, cords and catches, and any damp in basements or on chimney breasts.
- Coastal homes in Selsey and the Witterings: look for salt corrosion on metal window frames, gates and outdoor lights, and sand or damp at doorsteps.
- Flint and stone cottages in the Downs villages: photograph solid walls for damp, low beams, wood burners and the oil tank level.
- Homes near the harbour and low-lying coast: note any signs of past flooding or high-water marks and the condition of drains.
- New-build estates at Tangmere and Southbourne: record any snagging still open, parking spaces and estate management arrangements.
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 or safety problems in a private rented home can contact Chichester District Council's housing standards (private sector housing) team. Chichester District Council: private renting.
Renting in Chichester: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Chichester?
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 Chichester get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety problems in a private rented home can contact Chichester District Council's housing standards (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.