DIY InventoryRenting in Dudley: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Dudley can get help.
Homes to rent in Dudley
Dudley borough is part of the Black Country, with Victorian terraces built for its industries, large post-war council-built estates and inter-war suburbs such as Kingswinford and Halesowen. Stourbridge has more Victorian and Edwardian villas. Past mining and limestone workings under parts of the borough mean some homes have suffered subsidence, and canals run through many neighbourhoods.
Average rent: £858 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.4% 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 Dudley homes
- Victorian terraces: photograph back yards, outhouses and any damp low on walls or in cellars.
- Areas with past mining or limestone workings: photograph any cracks in walls, ceilings and around door frames so later movement can be compared.
- Post-war estate homes: photograph fences, gates, sheds and garden condition, which are often disputed at check-out.
- Flats near Brierley Hill and Merry Hill: photograph the communal entrance, bin store and parking bay, and count fobs and keys.
- Canal-side homes: photograph gardens and boundaries near the water and any damp 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 or unsafe conditions can contact Dudley Council's private sector housing team. Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Dudley: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Dudley?
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 Dudley get help?
Private tenants with disrepair or unsafe conditions can contact Dudley 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.