DIY InventoryRenting in Somerset: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Somerset can get help.
Homes to rent in Somerset
Somerset is a large rural county whose main towns are Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater and Frome. Older homes include stone cottages and terraces in the Mendips and south Somerset, Victorian terraces in the towns and seaside villas in Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead, with large new-build estates around Taunton and Bridgwater. The construction of Hinkley Point C has added demand for rooms and shared houses around Bridgwater. Much of the countryside is off the gas grid, and parts of the Somerset Levels flood.
Average rent: £1,016 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 6.2% 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 Somerset homes
- Homes on or near the Somerset Levels: check ground floors, skirting boards, outbuildings and gardens for signs of past flooding.
- Stone cottages in the Mendips, Frome and south Somerset: photograph walls inside for damp, chimney breasts, beams and the condition of any wood burner.
- Rural homes off the gas grid: record the oil tank and gauge level or LPG tank, and any septic tank or treatment plant cover.
- Shared houses and rooms let to Hinkley Point workers around Bridgwater: photograph each room's lock, fire doors, smoke alarms and the shared kitchen.
- Seaside homes in Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead: check window frames, outside paint and metal fittings for salt and wind damage.
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 Somerset Council's Private Sector Housing and Enforcement Service, which inspects privately rented homes and takes action against landlords. Somerset Council: private renting.
Renting in Somerset: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Somerset?
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 Somerset get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Somerset Council's Private Sector Housing and Enforcement Service, which inspects privately rented homes and takes 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.
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