DIY InventoryRenting in Lincoln: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Lincoln can get help.
Homes to rent in Lincoln
Lincoln is a compact city where more than a quarter of households rent privately, helped by the University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University. Victorian terraces in the West End, Monks Road and around the High Street make up much of the rented stock, alongside purpose-built student blocks near the Brayford and older listed homes uphill. Planning controls limit new HMOs across the city.
Average rent: £947 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 3.9% 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 Lincoln homes
- Student lets in the West End and Monks Road terraces: photograph each bedroom door lock, fire doors, smoke alarms and shared kitchen appliances.
- Period homes uphill near the cathedral: record sash windows, steep stairs, fireplaces and any cracks in old plaster.
- Victorian terraces with rear yards: photograph the yard, outbuildings, gutters and any damp in back kitchens and bathrooms.
- Flats near the Brayford and the River Witham: note any damp or condensation, and record fob, key and parking permit counts.
- HMOs: photograph the posted licence, fire blanket and alarm panel in shared areas.
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 or safety concerns can contact the City of Lincoln Council's Private Housing Team, which licenses HMOs and can inspect privately rented homes. City of Lincoln Council: private renting.
Renting in Lincoln: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Lincoln?
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 Lincoln get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact the City of Lincoln Council's Private Housing Team, which licenses HMOs and can inspect privately rented homes.
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.