DIY InventoryRenting in Forest of Dean: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Forest of Dean can get help.
Homes to rent in Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a rural district between the Severn and the Wye, with small towns such as Cinderford, Coleford, Lydney and Newent and many scattered villages. Much of the older housing is local stone, built for the coal and iron industries, alongside post-war estates and newer developments, particularly around Lydney. Many homes are off the gas grid, and private lets range from town terraces to isolated cottages.
Average rent: £828 a month (ONS, August 2026), about the same as 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 Forest of Dean homes
- Stone cottages from the mining era: check solid walls for damp, and photograph chimneys, wood burners and any sweep certificate.
- Homes off the gas grid: record oil tank levels and condition, LPG bottles or tanks, and storage heaters, and photograph the meters.
- Rural properties: note septic tanks or treatment plants, private water supplies and the condition of long drives and gates.
- Riverside homes near the Severn and Wye: look for signs of past flooding or damp in ground-floor rooms and outbuildings.
- Woodland and forest-edge homes: photograph gutters and roofs for leaf build-up and any overhanging trees.
- Newer estate houses around Lydney: photograph gardens, fences and parking areas, and note any snagging in recent builds.
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 in a private let can contact Forest of Dean District Council's private sector housing team, after first telling their landlord. Forest of Dean District Council: private renting.
Renting in Forest of Dean: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Forest of Dean?
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 Forest of Dean get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a private let can contact Forest of Dean District Council's private sector housing team, after first telling their landlord.
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.
Nearby areas
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