Renting in South Cambridgeshire: check-in and getting your deposit back

Homes to rent in South Cambridgeshire

South Cambridgeshire is a ring of around a hundred villages around Cambridge, with no large town of its own. Older homes are thatched and timber-framed cottages and Victorian brick terraces in the villages, but much of the recent growth is in new settlements such as Cambourne, Northstowe and the edges of Cambridge. Private renting is below the national average, but rents are high because of demand from the city's universities, hospitals and science parks. The council runs its own lettings service for private landlords.

Average rent: £1,407 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 3.0% on a year earlier. Source

On moving-in day

1. Before unpacking, photograph every room: a wide shot, then each item, with the date and time on every photo.
2. Photograph the meters (gas, electricity, water) and write down the readings.
3. Count the keys and fobs, and test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
4. Note anything worn, marked or not working, and send it to the landlord or agent within a few days.

Things to look at in South Cambridgeshire homes

• New-build homes in Cambourne, Northstowe and on the edge of Cambridge: photograph snagging items, sealant, paintwork and gardens, and note who maintains shared green spaces.
• Thatched and timber-framed cottages: record the visible condition of the thatch, beams and plaster, and photograph smoke alarms and any wood burner.
• Village homes off the gas grid: photograph the oil tank and gauge level, or the LPG tank, and any septic tank or treatment plant cover.
• Homes near the science parks let to research staff: note the furniture and appliances in detail, as many lets are furnished and short.
• Fenland-edge villages such as Cottenham: check for damp, cracks from ground movement and the condition of drains and gutters.

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 South Cambridgeshire District Council's environmental health team, which can inspect privately rented homes and take action against landlords. South Cambridgeshire District Council: private renting.

Do your check-in free Moving-in checklist