DIY InventoryRenting in Sefton: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Sefton can get help.
Homes to rent in Sefton
Sefton stretches along the coast from Bootle on the edge of Liverpool to Southport in the north. In the south, Bootle, Litherland and Seaforth have dense Victorian terraces and post-war estates, and selective licensing applies in part of Bootle. Southport, Waterloo and Crosby have many large Victorian houses converted into flats and shared houses, which is why those areas have additional HMO licensing. Formby, Maghull and Ainsdale are mostly owner-occupied post-war suburbs.
Average rent: £932 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 5.6% 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 Sefton homes
- Converted Victorian villas in Southport and Waterloo: note which rooms and fittings belong to the flat, and photograph the communal hall, stairs, meters and fire doors.
- Homes near the seafront at Southport, Ainsdale and Crosby: check window frames, outside paint and metal fittings for salt and wind damage, and look for sand in door tracks.
- Victorian terraces in Bootle: check the selective licence, and photograph the back yard, rear alley gate, gutters and any damp on the back walls.
- Shared houses in the additional licensing areas: photograph each bedroom lock, fire doors, smoke alarms and the shared kitchen and bathroom.
- Bungalows and semis in Formby and Maghull: record the garden, fencing, garage and driveway, which tenants are often expected to keep up.
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 Sefton Council's private sector housing team, which inspects privately rented homes and enforces the licensing schemes. Sefton Council: private renting.
Renting in Sefton: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Sefton?
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 Sefton get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Sefton Council's private sector housing 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.