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For tenantsRenting in Newark and Sherwood: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Newark and Sherwood can get help.
Homes to rent in Newark and Sherwood
Newark and Sherwood stretches from the historic market town of Newark across the Trent valley to the former mining villages of Sherwood Forest. Private lets range from Victorian terraces and new-build estates in Newark to colliery-era houses in Ollerton, Rainworth and Blidworth, and cottages in villages such as Southwell and Collingham. Many Trent valley homes are low-lying and some rural properties are off mains gas.
Average rent: £818 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 5.3% 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 Newark and Sherwood homes
- Low-lying homes near the River Trent in Newark and the Trent villages: photograph floors, lower walls and skirting for flood marks or damp.
- Colliery-era houses in Ollerton, Rainworth and Blidworth: note cracks in walls and around doors and windows that may come from old mine workings.
- Georgian and listed homes in Newark and Southwell: record sash windows, fireplaces, uneven floors and any damp in old walls.
- New-build estates in Balderton and Fernwood: record snagging marks, sealant and any cracks so they are noted before the tenancy.
- Rural homes off mains gas: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and the boiler service label.
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 Newark and Sherwood District Council's environmental health team, which deals with private housing standards and HMO licences. Newark and Sherwood District Council: private renting.
Renting in Newark and Sherwood: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Newark and Sherwood?
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 Newark and Sherwood get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact Newark and Sherwood District Council's environmental health team, which deals with private housing standards and HMO licences.
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.
Ready when you have the keys
Record your Newark and Sherwood home’s condition today, on your phone.
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