DIY InventoryRenting in Darlington: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Darlington can get help.
Homes to rent in Darlington
Darlington is a market and railway town with a large stock of Victorian terraces close to the centre, where private renting is most concentrated; the council has reported that around half of homes in Northgate ward are privately rented. Further out are inter-war and post-war semis and council-built estates, with newer estates on the edges of the town and in villages such as Middleton St George. Rents and prices are low by national standards, and private renting has grown since 2011.
Average rent: £671 a month (ONS Price Index of Private Rents, 2026), up 5.7% 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 Darlington homes
- Victorian terraces in Northgate and Bank Top: photograph back yards, outhouses and rear gates, and any damp low on walls or in cellars.
- Flats over shops in the town centre: photograph the street door, stair lighting, smoke alarms on each landing and any shared meters.
- Older terraces with original features: photograph sash or replacement windows, fireplaces (blocked or open) and chimney breasts for damp.
- Post-war estate homes in Eastbourne and Firthmoor: photograph fences, gates and garden condition, which are often disputed at check-out.
- Riverside homes near the Skerne and Tees: note any flood-protection products and photograph damp or tide marks on low walls.
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
Private tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can ask Darlington Borough Council's private sector housing team to inspect.
Renting in Darlington: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Darlington?
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 Darlington get help?
Private tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can ask Darlington Borough Council's private sector housing team to inspect.
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.