DIY InventoryRenting in Manchester: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Manchester can get help.
Homes to rent in Manchester
Manchester has one of the largest private rented sectors in the North, with almost a third of households renting from a private landlord. The city centre has thousands of apartments in towers and converted mills, while the south of the city has large numbers of student houses and Victorian conversions around Fallowfield, Withington and Rusholme. Inner areas such as Levenshulme, Longsight and Cheetham are lined with terraces, several of them under selective licensing.
Average rent: £1,380 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 4.6% 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 Manchester homes
- Student houses in Fallowfield and Withington: photograph every bedroom lock, fire doors, smoke and heat alarms, and the shared kitchen and bathroom.
- City-centre apartments: record fob, key, post-box and parking counts, photograph balconies, and note any mould around windows.
- Victorian terraces in Levenshulme, Longsight and Moss Side: photograph back yards, alley gates, gutters and any damp on rear walls.
- Converted mills and warehouses in Ancoats: note exposed brickwork, large windows and their seals, and communal areas.
- Homes on selective licensing streets: photograph the licence and check it shows the right address and expiry date.
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 Manchester City Council's private rented sector team, and can check whether their landlord has a licence on the council's website. Manchester City Council: private renting.
Renting in Manchester: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Manchester?
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 Manchester get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact Manchester City Council's private rented sector team, and can check whether their landlord has a licence on the council's 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.