DIY InventoryRenting in Derby: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Derby can get help.
Homes to rent in Derby
Derby has a large stock of Victorian and Edwardian terraces in inner areas such as Normanton, Arboretum and Pear Tree, where private renting and shared houses are common. The University of Derby brings student lets around the Kedleston Road campus and the city centre. Further out are inter-war and post-war suburbs and council-built estates, with large new-build estates on the city's edges.
Average rent: £871 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 4.7% 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 Derby homes
- Victorian terraces in Normanton and Pear Tree: photograph cellars, back yards and any damp on ground-floor walls.
- Student and shared houses near the university: photograph each bedroom's lock, furniture and the shared kitchen appliances, and count every key.
- Converted mill and office flats in the city centre: photograph ventilation, window restrictors and the communal entry system.
- Homes near the River Derwent: note any flood boards or air-brick covers and photograph them in place.
- Larger villas split into flats in the Arboretum area: photograph fire doors, door closers and alarms in shared hallways.
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 or safety problems can contact Derby City Council's private sector housing team. Derby City Council: private renting.
Renting in Derby: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Derby?
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 Derby get help?
Private tenants with disrepair or safety problems can contact Derby City 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.