DIY InventoryRenting in South Hams: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in South Hams can get help.
Homes to rent in South Hams
South Hams is a rural and coastal district between Plymouth and Torbay, with Dartmoor to the north. Many homes are stone or slate-hung cottages and period town houses in Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Modbury, and a high share in places like Salcombe and Dartmouth are second homes or holiday lets, which keeps long-term rentals scarce. Larger estates are in Ivybridge and the new town of Sherford. Few HMOs need a licence here.
Average rent: £1,005 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 2.9% 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 South Hams homes
- Coastal homes in Dartmouth, Salcombe and the estuary villages: check window frames, outside paint and metal fittings for salt corrosion, and photograph damp in north-facing rooms.
- Stone and cob cottages: photograph walls inside for damp, beams and uneven floors, and the condition of any wood burner or open fire.
- Rural homes off the gas grid: record the oil tank and gauge level or LPG tank, and any septic tank or treatment plant cover.
- Homes on steep streets in Totnes and Dartmouth: photograph steps, handrails, retaining walls and parking arrangements, which are often disputed.
- New-build homes in Sherford and Ivybridge: photograph snagging items, sealant, paintwork and the garden, and note who maintains shared 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 South Hams District Council's private sector housing team (shared with West Devon), which can inspect homes and take action against landlords. South Hams District Council: private renting.
Renting in South Hams: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in South Hams?
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 South Hams get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact South Hams District Council's private sector housing team (shared with West Devon), 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.