DIY InventoryRenting in Malvern Hills: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Malvern Hills can get help.
Homes to rent in Malvern Hills
Malvern Hills is a rural district centred on the Victorian spa town of Malvern, with the small towns of Upton-upon-Severn and Tenbury Wells and many villages. Most households own their homes, and the rented stock includes Victorian villas converted into flats, terraces in Malvern Link and rural cottages. Upton and Tenbury lie beside rivers that flood, and many rural homes are off mains gas.
Average rent: £955 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 7.1% 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 Malvern Hills homes
- Victorian villas converted into flats in Great Malvern: photograph communal stairs, fire doors, sash windows and any damp in basements.
- Riverside homes in Upton-upon-Severn and Tenbury Wells: record floors, walls and skirting for flood marks or damp.
- Stone cottages along the hills: note damp patches, condensation and the state of any wood burner and its flue.
- Rural homes off mains gas: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and the boiler service label.
- Homes on steep hillside plots: photograph steps, retaining walls, paths and gutters at the start of the tenancy.
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 private sector housing team that serves Malvern Hills and Wychavon through the council website. Malvern Hills District Council: private renting.
Renting in Malvern Hills: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Malvern Hills?
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 Malvern Hills get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact the private sector housing team that serves Malvern Hills and Wychavon 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.
Nearby areas
HerefordshireWorcesterWychavonWyre ForestTewkesburyShropshireAll areas
Ready when you have the keys
Record your Malvern Hills home’s condition today, on your phone.
Start free