DIY InventoryRenting in Gloucester: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Gloucester can get help.
Homes to rent in Gloucester
Gloucester is a cathedral city with a dense Victorian core, where terraced streets in Barton, Tredworth and Kingsholm hold much of the private rented stock, including houses split into flats and shared homes. The historic Docks have been regenerated with warehouse conversions and new apartments, while the outer city is made up of interwar and post-war estates and large later developments at Quedgeley and Kingsway. Private renting grew noticeably between 2011 and 2021, one of the larger rises in the South West.
Average rent: £1,069 a month (ONS, January 2026), up 6.8% 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 Gloucester homes
- Victorian terraces in Barton and Tredworth: check for damp at the base of walls and in rear kitchens, and photograph back yards and rear access.
- Houses split into flats or shared homes: photograph each room's lock and furniture, fire doors, alarms and the fire blanket.
- Warehouse conversions and apartments at the Docks: note fob and key counts, lifts, bike stores, parking and any condensation around large windows.
- Homes in low-lying areas near the Severn: look for signs of past flooding or damp in ground-floor rooms.
- Post-war estate houses in Matson and Tuffley: record the boiler, windows and doors, and the condition of gardens and fencing.
- Newer homes at Kingsway and Quedgeley: note any snagging still outstanding, plus meter readings and parking allocations.
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 Gloucester City Council's private sector housing team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord. Gloucester City Council: private renting.
Renting in Gloucester: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Gloucester?
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 Gloucester get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a private let can contact Gloucester City Council's private sector housing team, 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.