DIY InventoryRenting in Solihull: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Solihull can get help.
Homes to rent in Solihull
Solihull is one of the most owner-occupied boroughs in the West Midlands. The south, around Solihull town, Knowle, Dorridge and Balsall Common, is mostly inter-war and post-war semi-detached and detached family housing, much of it in the Green Belt. The north, around Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst and Smith's Wood, was built as overspill housing for Birmingham in the 1960s and 70s and has more social and ex-council homes now let privately. Lets near the airport, the NEC and Jaguar Land Rover draw workers and commuters.
Average rent: £1,279 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.2% 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 Solihull homes
- Ex-council houses and maisonettes in Chelmsley Wood and Kingshurst: record the boiler, fencing, communal stairs, bin stores and door entry system.
- Larger family homes in Knowle, Dorridge and Shirley: photograph gardens, hedges, garages, driveways and conservatories, which tenants are often expected to keep up.
- Flats in Solihull town centre: note fob, key and parking permit counts and the post box and bin store arrangements.
- Homes near Birmingham Airport in Elmdon and Marston Green: record the windows and any secondary glazing or acoustic insulation.
- Tower blocks in the north of the borough: photograph fire doors, smoke alarms and any building safety notices in the communal areas.
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 Solihull Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords. Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Solihull: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Solihull?
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 Solihull get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Solihull Council's private sector housing team, 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.