Renting in East Lindsey: check-in and getting your deposit back

Homes to rent in East Lindsey

East Lindsey is a large, sparsely populated rural district stretching from the Lincolnshire Wolds to the coast, with an older population than average. Private lets range from flats in converted guest houses and terraces in Skegness and Mablethorpe to period houses in Louth and farm cottages inland. The coast has many caravan, chalet and park homes, some lived in year-round. Many rural homes are off the gas grid and some low-lying areas near the coast are at risk of flooding.

Average rent: £660 a month (ONS, September 2025), up 2.9% on a year earlier. Source

On moving-in day

1. Before unpacking, photograph every room: a wide shot, then each item, with the date and time on every photo.
2. Photograph the meters (gas, electricity, water) and write down the readings.
3. Count the keys and fobs, and test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
4. Note anything worn, marked or not working, and send it to the landlord or agent within a few days.

Things to look at in East Lindsey homes

• Former guest houses split into flats in Skegness and Mablethorpe: photograph fire doors, smoke alarms, the communal stairs and the meters for each flat.
• Coastal homes: photograph window frames, door furniture and outside metalwork for salt corrosion, and any damp or mould on outside walls.
• Homes off the gas grid: photograph the oil tank, its gauge and level, or the LPG tank, and the boiler service label.
• Bungalows and park homes near the coast: photograph the roof edges, guttering, skirting panels and any storm damage to fences and sheds.
• Older brick farm cottages inland: photograph walls inside for rising damp and condensation, and note how the home is heated.

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, damp or safety problems can contact East Lindsey District Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect rented homes and take action against landlords. East Lindsey District Council: private renting.

Do your check-in free Moving-in checklist