DIY InventoryRenting in Melton: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Melton can get help.
Homes to rent in Melton
Melton is a rural borough centred on the market town of Melton Mowbray, with dozens of villages across the Wolds and the Vale of Belvoir. Rented homes are mostly terraces and semis in Melton Mowbray, alongside cottages and farmhouses in the villages. Many rural homes are built of ironstone or old brick and are off mains gas.
Average rent: £793 a month (ONS, January 2026), up 10.0% 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 Melton homes
- Ironstone and older brick cottages in the villages: photograph damp patches, flaking plaster and condensation in cold rooms.
- Rural homes off mains gas: photograph the oil tank or LPG bottles, gauge levels and the boiler service label.
- Victorian terraces in Melton Mowbray: record the rear yard, outbuildings, gutters and any damp in back kitchens.
- Homes near the River Eye and River Wreake: note any signs of past flooding on floors and lower walls.
- Farm and barn conversions: record septic tanks or private drainage, gates, fencing and outbuildings included in the let.
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 Melton Borough Council's environmental health team, which deals with private housing standards. Melton Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Melton: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Melton?
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 Melton get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact Melton Borough Council's environmental health team, which deals with private housing standards.
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.