DIY Inventory← All areas · Newcastle upon Tyne
For tenantsRenting in Newcastle upon Tyne: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Newcastle upon Tyne can get help.
Homes to rent in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle's private rented sector is concentrated in Jesmond, Sandyford, Heaton and Fenham, where Victorian terraces and the two-storey Tyneside flats are let to students of Newcastle and Northumbria universities and to young professionals. The city centre has added purpose-built student blocks and Quayside apartments, while the west end and Byker have older terraces under selective licensing. Smaller HMOs in designated areas need an additional licence.
Average rent: £1,220 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 7.9% 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 Newcastle upon Tyne homes
- Tyneside flats in Heaton, Jesmond and Fenham: record which yard, bins and outhouse belong to the flat, and photograph the separate front door and stairs.
- Student houses in Jesmond and Sandyford: photograph every bedroom lock, fire doors, smoke and heat alarms, and the shared kitchen.
- Victorian terraces in Benwell, Elswick and Byker: photograph the back lane, yard gate, gutters and any damp on rear walls.
- City-centre and Quayside apartments: note fob, key and post-box counts, and photograph balconies and window seals.
- Licensed homes: photograph the selective or HMO licence and check it shows the right address and expiry date.
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 Newcastle City Council's private sector housing team, which runs the licensing schemes and can inspect homes. Newcastle City Council: private renting.
Renting in Newcastle upon Tyne: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Newcastle upon Tyne?
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 Newcastle upon Tyne get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact Newcastle City Council's private sector housing team, which runs the licensing schemes 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.
Nearby areas
Ready when you have the keys
Record your Newcastle upon Tyne home’s condition today, on your phone.
Start free