DIY InventoryRenting in Rugby: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Rugby can get help.
Homes to rent in Rugby
Rugby grew faster than anywhere else in the West Midlands between 2011 and 2021, with large new-build communities such as Houlton and Cawston. Older housing is concentrated in the Victorian terraces of New Bilton and around the town centre, where much of the private renting and a growing number of HMOs are found. Bilton, Hillmorton and Brownsover are mostly inter-war, post-war and 1970s–80s estates, and the rural villages have period cottages, some thatched.
Average rent: £1,046 a month (ONS, July 2026), up 5.4% 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 Rugby homes
- New-build homes in Houlton and Cawston: photograph snagging marks, sealant, new turf and fences, parking spaces and any shared management areas.
- Victorian terraces in New Bilton and near the centre: record damp at the base of walls, rear yards and alleys and where bins are kept.
- Shared houses in the town: note the HMO licence number where needed and photograph each bedroom lock, fire doors and alarms.
- Thatched and period cottages in Dunchurch and the villages: photograph thatch, chimneys, stoves and any oil tank with the fuel level.
- Town-centre apartments: note fob and key counts, the intercom and allocated 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 Rugby Borough Council's private sector housing team. Rugby Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Rugby: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Rugby?
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 Rugby get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Rugby Borough 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.