DIY InventoryRenting in Mansfield: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Mansfield can get help.
Homes to rent in Mansfield
Mansfield is a former mining and textile town where almost one in five households rent privately. Much of the rented stock is Victorian and early 1900s terraces near the town centre and in the former colliery villages such as Forest Town and Warsop, alongside large post-war estates. Since September 2025 privately rented homes in five designated areas need a selective licence.
Average rent: £764 a month (ONS, December 2025), up 4.8% 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 Mansfield homes
- Victorian terraces near the town centre and West Bank: photograph the back yard, outbuildings, gutters and any damp in rear kitchens.
- Colliery-era terraces in Warsop, Forest Town and Clipstone: note cracks in walls and around windows and doors, and any uneven floors.
- Homes in the selective licensing areas: photograph the licence and check it shows the right address and expiry date.
- Older homes with solid walls: record mould or condensation in bedrooms and bathrooms, and how the extractor fans work.
- Flats over shops in the town centre: record the shared entrance, fire doors and the number of keys handed over.
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 Mansfield District Council's private sector housing team, which runs the selective licensing scheme and can inspect homes. Mansfield District Council: private renting.
Renting in Mansfield: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Mansfield?
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 Mansfield get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact Mansfield District Council's private sector housing team, which runs the selective licensing scheme and can inspect 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.