DIY InventoryRenting in Lewes: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Lewes can get help.
Homes to rent in Lewes
Lewes District mixes the historic county town, the coastal towns of Newhaven, Seaford and Peacehaven, and villages in the South Downs and Low Weald. Fewer households rent privately than the national average, and many lets are period terraces in Lewes, flats in Newhaven and Seaford, and bungalows along the coast. Much of the north and centre of the district is in the South Downs National Park, where older cottages and farm buildings are common.
Average rent: £1,333 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 5.9% 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 Lewes homes
- Sash windows and old timber in the Lewes old town terraces: photograph cords, catches and any soft or rotten frames.
- Coastal homes in Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven: photograph salt-pitted metal, window seals and any damp on seaward walls.
- Chalk-built and flint cottages in the Downs villages: note damp patches, flaking lime render and condensation in cold rooms.
- Flats over shops in Lewes High Street and Newhaven: record the shared entrance, fire doors and how many keys and fobs are handed over.
- Rural homes off mains gas: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and the boiler or storage heaters.
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 the Lewes and Eastbourne Councils' private sector housing team through the council website. Lewes District Council: private renting.
Renting in Lewes: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Lewes?
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 Lewes get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact the Lewes and Eastbourne Councils' private sector housing team through the council website.
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.