DIY InventoryRenting in Doncaster: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Doncaster can get help.
Homes to rent in Doncaster
Doncaster has a large stock of Victorian terraces near the town centre and many former colliery villages with pit terraces and council-built estates, where private renting has grown as homes have been sold on. Bessacarr and the southern suburbs have larger inter-war and post-war homes. Low-lying areas along the River Don, including Bentley and the north and east of the borough, flooded in 2007 and 2019.
Average rent: £690 a month (ONS, June 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 Doncaster homes
- Colliery terraces in former pit villages: photograph back yards, rear walls and any cracking that could be from settlement.
- Homes in low-lying areas near the Don and Ea Beck: note flood-protection products and photograph tide marks or damp on low walls.
- Victorian terraces near the town centre: photograph cellars, chimney breasts and window frames for damp and rot.
- Flats over shops in the town centre: photograph the street door, stairs, smoke alarms and any shared meter cupboard.
- Post-war estate homes: photograph fences, sheds and garden condition, which are often disputed at check-out.
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 unsafe conditions can contact City of Doncaster Council's private sector housing team. City of Doncaster Council: private renting.
Renting in Doncaster: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Doncaster?
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 Doncaster get help?
Private tenants with disrepair or unsafe conditions can contact City of Doncaster 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.