DIY InventoryRenting in Knowsley: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Knowsley can get help.
Homes to rent in Knowsley
Knowsley lies on the eastern edge of Liverpool, made up of Huyton, Kirkby, Prescot, Whiston, Halewood and smaller villages. Much of the borough was built after the war as overspill housing for Liverpool, so council-built estates, now largely run by housing associations, make up a big share of homes, and private renting is below the regional average though it grew quickly between 2011 and 2021. Prescot has an older core of Victorian terraces, and large new private estates have been built at Halewood and elsewhere. Rents rose sharply in the year to August 2026.
Average rent: £858 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 11.4% 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 Knowsley homes
- Former council houses now privately let in Kirkby and Huyton: record the boiler, windows and external doors, and the state of gardens, sheds and fencing.
- Post-war flats and maisonettes: note communal entrances, stairwells, bin stores and the number of keys and fobs.
- Victorian terraces in Prescot and Whiston: check for damp at the base of walls and in rear kitchens, and photograph yards and back entries.
- New-build homes at Halewood and Stockbridge Village: note snagging still outstanding, meter readings and parking allocations.
- Shared homes: photograph each room's lock and furniture, fire doors and alarms, and note the HMO licence where five or more people share.
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 Knowsley Council's private sector housing team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord. Knowsley Council: private renting.
Renting in Knowsley: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Knowsley?
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 Knowsley get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a private let can contact Knowsley 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.