DIY InventoryRenting in Mid Devon: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Mid Devon can get help.
Homes to rent in Mid Devon
Mid Devon is a largely rural district built around the towns of Tiverton, Cullompton and Crediton, with many small villages and farms. Rented homes range from Victorian terraces and post-war houses in the towns to cob and stone cottages in the villages, and large new estates are being built near the M5. Many rural homes are off mains gas and some are listed or thatched.
Average rent: £881 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 1.5% 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 Mid Devon homes
- Cob and thatched cottages in the villages: photograph wall surfaces, damp patches, the thatch condition where visible and any wood burner and flue.
- Rural homes off mains gas: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and the boiler service label.
- Homes on private water or drainage: record the septic tank or treatment plant, and any borehole or spring supply.
- Riverside homes in Tiverton and along the Exe and Culm: note any signs of past flooding on floors and lower walls.
- New-build homes near the M5: record snagging marks, sealant and any cracks so they are noted before 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 Mid Devon District Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and take enforcement action. Mid Devon District Council: private renting.
Renting in Mid Devon: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Mid Devon?
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 Mid Devon get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact Mid Devon District Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and take enforcement action.
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.