DIY InventoryRenting in Mid Sussex: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Mid Sussex can get help.
Homes to rent in Mid Sussex
Mid Sussex is a mostly owner-occupied commuter district on the London to Brighton railway, with the towns of Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and East Grinstead and many villages. About one in seven households rent privately, often in Victorian and Edwardian houses near stations, flats in the town centres and new-build homes in Burgess Hill's growth areas. The villages have older timber-framed and listed cottages.
Average rent: £1,423 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.4% 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 Sussex homes
- Listed and timber-framed cottages in Cuckfield, Lindfield and East Grinstead: photograph beams, uneven floors, leaded or sash windows and any damp.
- New-build homes in Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath: record snagging marks, sealant and any cracks so they are noted before the tenancy.
- Flats near the stations and town centres: note the communal entrance, bike and bin stores, and key and fob counts.
- Homes on Weald clay: photograph cracks around doors, windows and in plaster that could come from ground movement.
- Homes near Gatwick in Copthorne and Crawley Down: note window seals and any secondary glazing, and test that windows open and lock.
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 Sussex District Council's Environmental Health Housing Standards Team, which deals with private rented housing. Mid Sussex District Council: private renting.
Renting in Mid Sussex: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Mid Sussex?
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 Sussex get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact Mid Sussex District Council's Environmental Health Housing Standards Team, which deals with private rented housing.
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.