DIY InventoryRenting in Salford: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Salford can get help.
Homes to rent in Salford
Salford has one of the fastest-growing private rented sectors in England: more than a quarter of households rented privately in 2021. Much of the growth is in new apartment towers at Salford Quays, MediaCityUK and around Chapel Street, alongside Victorian terraces in Broughton, Ordsall and Eccles where selective licensing applies. Students at the University of Salford rent shared houses around Seedley and Pendleton. Further west, Swinton, Walkden, Worsley and Irlam are mostly owner-occupied suburbs with post-war semis.
Average rent: £1,170 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.3% 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 Salford homes
- Apartment towers at the Quays and Chapel Street: note fob, key and parking counts, the concierge or post room arrangements and any balcony furniture.
- Flats in high-rise blocks: photograph fire doors, smoke alarms and any notices about cladding or building safety works.
- Victorian terraces in Broughton, Eccles and Ordsall: record the back yard, rear gate, outhouse, gutters and any damp in rear rooms and cellars.
- Student shared houses near the university: photograph each bedroom door lock, the shared kitchen appliances and fire blankets, room by room.
- Homes in a selective licensing area: check the licence and note its number in the report, as landlords must hold one.
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 Salford City Council's housing standards team, which inspects privately rented homes and enforces the licensing schemes. Salford City Council: private renting.
Renting in Salford: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Salford?
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 Salford get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Salford City Council's housing standards team, which inspects privately rented homes and enforces the licensing schemes.
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.