DIY InventoryRenting in South Holland: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in South Holland can get help.
Homes to rent in South Holland
South Holland is a flat, low-lying fenland district centred on Spalding, with farming and food processing as the main employers. Homes are mostly brick-built terraces, bungalows and post-war and new-build estates, with Georgian houses in the centres of Spalding and Long Sutton. Private renting grew quickly between 2011 and 2021, much of it shared and family houses let to workers in agriculture and food factories. Most of the district is below sea level at high tide and relies on drainage boards.
Average rent: £759 a month (ONS, March 2026), up 3.8% 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 Holland homes
- Shared houses let to farm and factory workers: photograph each bedroom lock, fire doors, smoke alarms and the shared kitchen, and note the number of occupiers.
- Homes on low-lying fenland: check ground floors, skirting boards and gardens for damp or past flooding, and photograph drains and soakaways.
- Bungalows and older houses on peat or clay soils: photograph any cracks in walls, door frames that stick and uneven floors, which may come from ground movement.
- Rural homes off the gas grid: record the oil tank and gauge level or LPG tank, and any septic tank or treatment plant cover.
- New-build estates around Spalding and Holbeach: photograph snagging items, sealant, paintwork and the garden.
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 Holland District Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords.
Renting in South Holland: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in South Holland?
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 Holland get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact South Holland District 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.
Ready when you have the keys
Record your South Holland home’s condition today, on your phone.
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