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For tenantsRenting in East Staffordshire: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in East Staffordshire can get help.
Homes to rent in East Staffordshire
East Staffordshire is centred on Burton upon Trent, a brewing town with large areas of Victorian terraced housing, and the market town of Uttoxeter, with villages across a rural north. Private lets in Burton are mostly older terraces and flats near the town centre, alongside new-build estates on the edges. Some terraced streets in central Burton have been converted to shared housing. Homes near the Trent and Dove are in areas at risk of flooding.
Average rent: £822 a month (ONS, January 2026), up 3.0% 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 East Staffordshire homes
- Victorian terraces in central Burton: photograph back yards, rear outbuildings, damp at the base of walls and the condition of windows and doors.
- Shared houses in Burton: photograph each bedroom and its lock, the shared kitchen and fire doors, and note the key count for each room.
- Homes near the Trent and Dove: photograph any damp tide marks, air bricks and flood barriers left for the tenant.
- New-build estates around Burton and Uttoxeter: photograph snagging marks and meter readings, and note any estate management charges or parking rules.
- Rural cottages off the gas grid: photograph the oil tank, its gauge and level, and the boiler service label.
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 Staffordshire Borough Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect rented homes and take action against landlords. East Staffordshire Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in East Staffordshire: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in East Staffordshire?
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 East Staffordshire get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact East Staffordshire Borough Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect rented homes and take action against landlords.
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.
Ready when you have the keys
Record your East Staffordshire home’s condition today, on your phone.
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