DIY InventoryRenting in South Ribble: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in South Ribble can get help.
Homes to rent in South Ribble
South Ribble sits just south of Preston and is mostly suburban: Leyland, Penwortham, Bamber Bridge and Lostock Hall are made up of Victorian mill terraces, inter-war and post-war semis and bungalows, and a lot of recent new-build. It is one of the most owner-occupied districts in the North West, and only about one in eight households rented privately in 2021. HMOs are few, and the council now controls new small HMOs through planning.
Average rent: £805 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 5.4% 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 Ribble homes
- Victorian terraces in Bamber Bridge and Leyland: record the back yard, rear gate, gutters and any damp on rear walls.
- New-build estates in Lostock Hall, Farington and Leyland: photograph snagging items, sealant, paintwork and the garden, and note any estate management charge areas.
- Bungalows and semis in Penwortham and Longton: photograph gardens, fences, garages and driveways, which tenants are often expected to keep up.
- Homes near the Ribble and Darwen in Walton-le-Dale: check ground floors and gardens for signs of past flooding.
- Shared houses: photograph each bedroom lock, fire doors and smoke alarms, and check whether planning permission and a licence are in place.
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 Ribble Borough Council's Environmental Health team, which can inspect privately rented homes and take action against landlords. South Ribble Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in South Ribble: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in South Ribble?
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 Ribble get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact South Ribble Borough Council's Environmental Health team, which can inspect privately rented 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 Ribble home’s condition today, on your phone.
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