DIY InventoryRenting in Sandwell: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Sandwell can get help.
Homes to rent in Sandwell
Sandwell is an industrial Black Country borough made up of six towns: West Bromwich, Smethwick, Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Tipton and Wednesbury. A large share of homes are social rented, and the private rented sector has grown fast, much of it in Victorian terraces in Smethwick and West Bromwich and in former council houses bought under right to buy. Shared houses are common enough that the whole borough has additional HMO licensing. Prices are among the lowest in the West Midlands.
Average rent: £937 a month (ONS, February 2026), up 10.4% 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 Sandwell homes
- Victorian terraces in Smethwick and West Bromwich: photograph the back yard, entry passage, rear gate, gutters and any damp on rear walls.
- Shared houses: check the HMO licence and photograph each bedroom lock, fire doors, smoke alarms and the shared kitchen, as the whole borough needs a licence.
- Former council houses: record the condition of the boiler, fencing, sheds and any non-standard construction such as concrete panel walls.
- Homes by the canals in Tipton and Oldbury: look for and photograph condensation, mould and damp around windows and in corners.
- Flats in post-war blocks: note key and fob counts, the bin store, the door entry system and the communal stairs.
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 Sandwell Council's private sector housing team, which inspects privately rented homes and enforces HMO licensing. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Sandwell: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Sandwell?
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 Sandwell get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Sandwell Council's private sector housing team, which inspects privately rented homes and enforces HMO licensing.
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.