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For tenantsRenting in South Staffordshire: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in South Staffordshire can get help.
Homes to rent in South Staffordshire
South Staffordshire is a rural and commuter district wrapped around the west and north of Wolverhampton and the Black Country, mostly Green Belt. Homes are mainly inter-war and post-war semis, bungalows and detached houses in large villages such as Codsall, Perton, Wombourne and Penkridge, with Georgian cottages in Brewood and Kinver. Private renting is among the lowest in England, at about one household in ten. There are no towns of any size, so few shared houses.
Average rent: £945 a month (ONS, May 2026), up 5.7% 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 Staffordshire homes
- Post-war semis and bungalows in Codsall, Perton and Wombourne: photograph gardens, fences, garages and driveways, which tenants are often expected to keep up.
- Former mining villages such as Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley: record any cracks in walls or ceilings and doors that stick, which may come from old ground movement.
- Period cottages in Brewood and Kinver: photograph damp on solid walls, beams, chimney breasts and any wood burner.
- Canal-side homes along the Shropshire Union and Staffordshire and Worcestershire canals: check for damp, condensation and mould in ground-floor rooms.
- Rural homes off the gas grid: record the oil tank and gauge level or LPG tank, and any septic tank or treatment plant cover.
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 Staffordshire Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords. South Staffordshire Council: private renting.
Renting in South Staffordshire: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in South Staffordshire?
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 Staffordshire get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact South Staffordshire 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 Staffordshire home’s condition today, on your phone.
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