DIY InventoryRenting in Rotherham: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Rotherham can get help.
Homes to rent in Rotherham
Rotherham grew on coal and steel, so much of its housing is Victorian terraces near the town centre and in former mining towns such as Wath, Maltby, Dinnington and Thurcroft, alongside large post-war council-built estates. Private renting is concentrated in terraced areas such as Eastwood, Masbrough and parts of the former pit villages, several of which are under selective licensing. Wickersley, Bramley and Brinsworth are more suburban, and prices are low by national standards.
Average rent: £686 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.2% 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 Rotherham homes
- Homes in the selective licensing areas: note the licence number and photograph smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, which are licence conditions.
- Victorian terraces in Eastwood and Masbrough: record damp at the base of walls, cellar heads, back yards and rear alleys.
- Former colliery terraces in Dinnington, Maltby and Thurcroft: photograph any cracks, uneven floors, outbuildings and the state of gutters.
- Post-war estate homes: photograph gardens, fences, sheds and older boilers and windows.
- Flats over shops in the town centre: record the separate entrance, stairs, fire doors and where the meters are.
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 Rotherham Council's housing standards team. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Rotherham: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Rotherham?
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 Rotherham get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Rotherham Council's housing standards 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.