DIY InventoryRenting in Gateshead: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Gateshead can get help.
Homes to rent in Gateshead
Gateshead stretches from the Tyne riverside to the rural Derwent valley. Inner areas such as Bensham, Saltwell and Felling are built up with Tyneside flats (pairs of upstairs and downstairs flats behind separate front doors) and Victorian terraces, where much of the private renting is found, while large post-war council estates surround the town and western areas such as Whickham and Ryton are more suburban. The council has used selective landlord licensing in parts of the inner borough and publishes information about its schemes on its website.
Average rent: £790 a month (ONS, May 2026), up 4.8% 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 Gateshead homes
- Tyneside flats in Bensham and Saltwell: record which yard, outhouse and bin belong to the flat, and photograph the separate front door, stairs and back lane access.
- Victorian terraces in Low Fell and Felling: check for damp at the base of walls and in rear kitchens, and photograph sash or replacement windows.
- Back lanes behind terraces: photograph rear gates, yard walls and bins, and note any fly-tipping at the start of the tenancy.
- Post-war estate houses: record the boiler, windows and doors, and the condition of gardens and fencing.
- Flats in town centre blocks: note fob and key counts, lifts, communal entrances and bin stores.
- Homes in the Derwent valley and on hillsides: photograph gutters, steps and retaining walls, and any damp on exposed 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
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a private let can contact Gateshead Council's private sector housing team, which also runs its landlord licensing, after first reporting the problem to their landlord. Gateshead Council: private renting.
Renting in Gateshead: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Gateshead?
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 Gateshead get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a private let can contact Gateshead Council's private sector housing team, which also runs its landlord licensing, after first reporting the problem to 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.