DIY InventoryRenting in Plymouth: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Plymouth can get help.
Homes to rent in Plymouth
Plymouth's private rented sector is concentrated in the Victorian terraces close to the centre, especially in Mutley, Greenbank and North Hill, where many homes are let to University of Plymouth students. Stonehouse and Stoke have Georgian and Victorian terraces split into flats, and Devonport and Keyham have dockyard-era terraces, with large regeneration schemes in Devonport. The waterfront has converted warehouses and new apartment blocks, while Plymstock, Plympton and Estover are mostly post-war and later suburban estates. Many homes face exposure to wind and rain off the Sound.
Average rent: £1,004 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 4.7% 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 Plymouth homes
- Student houses in Mutley and Greenbank: photograph each bedroom lock, fire doors, alarms and the shared kitchen and bathroom separately.
- Exposed homes facing the Sound and on the hills: record damp and mould, salt marks on windows and rust on railings and fittings.
- Flats in Stonehouse and Stoke's split Victorian houses: note communal hallways, meter cupboards, fire doors and the key count.
- Waterfront apartments in the Barbican and Royal William Yard: note fob counts, parking bays, balconies and any listed-building features.
- Hillside terraces: photograph steps, retaining walls, gutters and the state of rear lanes and yards.
- New-build homes in Sherford: record snagging marks, sealant and new turf, fences and parking.
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 can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Plymouth City Council's private sector housing team.
Renting in Plymouth: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Plymouth?
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 Plymouth get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Plymouth City Council's private sector housing team.
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.