DIY InventoryRenting in Rutland: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Rutland can get help.
Homes to rent in Rutland
Rutland is England's smallest county, almost all rural, with Oakham and Uppingham as its only towns. Much of the older housing is built of local limestone and ironstone, often thatched or with Collyweston slate roofs, and many villages are conservation areas. Private renting is below the national average; a large part of the rented stock is family houses near the barracks at Cottesmore and Edith Weston, and cottages in the villages. Prices are high for the East Midlands.
Average rent: £969 a month (ONS, February 2026), up 7.4% 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 Rutland homes
- Stone cottages: photograph walls inside for damp, chimney breasts, beams and low doorways, and the condition of any open fire or wood burner.
- Thatched roofs: note the visible condition of the thatch, ridge and netting, and record smoke alarms and any fire-safety notes for the property.
- Rural homes off the gas grid: photograph the oil tank, its gauge level and the boiler, or the LPG tank and meter reading.
- Homes with private drainage: record the location and condition of the septic tank or treatment plant cover and any service record left.
- Former service family homes near the barracks: photograph kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and gardens, as these are often refurbished before letting.
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, damp or safety problems can contact Rutland County Council's housing standards team (run with Peterborough City Council), which can inspect homes and take action against landlords. Rutland County Council: private renting.
Renting in Rutland: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Rutland?
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 Rutland get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Rutland County Council's housing standards team (run with Peterborough City Council), which can inspect homes and take action against landlords.
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.
Nearby areas
South KestevenNorth NorthamptonshireHarboroughMeltonAll areas