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For tenantsRenting in North Northamptonshire: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in North Northamptonshire can get help.
Homes to rent in North Northamptonshire
North Northamptonshire brings together Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Rushden and the towns and villages of the Nene valley. Private lets are often Victorian terraces built for the shoe industry in Kettering, Wellingborough and Rushden, new-town houses in Corby and new-build homes on the large urban extensions. The villages and Oundle have limestone and ironstone cottages, many listed.
Average rent: £992 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 5.2% 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 North Northamptonshire homes
- Victorian shoe-town terraces in Kettering, Wellingborough and Rushden: photograph the rear yard, alley access, gutters and any damp in back kitchens.
- 1950s to 1970s new-town houses in Corby: photograph windows, flat-roof sections, cladding and any condensation or mould.
- New-build homes at Priors Hall, Hanwood Park and Stanton Cross: record snagging marks, sealant and any cracks so they are noted before the tenancy.
- Ironstone and limestone cottages in the villages and Oundle: record damp patches, flaking mortar and any wood burner and flue.
- Homes near the River Nene: note any signs of past flooding on floors and lower walls.
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 North Northamptonshire Council's private sector housing team, which licenses HMOs and can inspect homes. North Northamptonshire Council: private renting.
Renting in North Northamptonshire: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in North Northamptonshire?
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 North Northamptonshire get help?
Tenants with disrepair or safety concerns can contact North Northamptonshire Council's private sector housing team, which licenses HMOs 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.
Ready when you have the keys
Record your North Northamptonshire home’s condition today, on your phone.
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