DIY InventoryRenting in Rushcliffe: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Rushcliffe can get help.
Homes to rent in Rushcliffe
Rushcliffe lies south of the Trent from Nottingham and is one of the most affluent districts in the East Midlands. West Bridgford, Lady Bay and Edwalton are suburbs of Edwardian, inter-war and modern family homes, with flats near Trent Bridge, and they attract renters who work in Nottingham. The rest of the borough is villages and small towns such as Bingham, Radcliffe on Trent, Ruddington, Keyworth and East Leake, many with large new-build estates. Private renting is a modest share and only larger HMOs need a licence.
Average rent: £1,037 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 2.6% 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 Rushcliffe homes
- Edwardian terraces and semis in West Bridgford and Lady Bay: photograph sash or bay windows, original fireplaces and small rear gardens.
- Homes near the Trent in Lady Bay and Radcliffe: photograph any tide marks, damp low on walls and air bricks.
- New-build estates in Edwalton, Bingham and East Leake: record snagging marks, sealant, new turf and fences and any shared management areas.
- Flats near Trent Bridge: note fob and key counts, parking bays.
- Village cottages in Ruddington and the Wolds: photograph stoves, chimneys, damp in older walls and any oil tank.
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 Rushcliffe Borough Council's environmental health team. Rushcliffe Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Rushcliffe: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Rushcliffe?
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 Rushcliffe get help?
Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Rushcliffe Borough Council's environmental health 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.