DIY InventoryRenting in St Helens: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in St Helens can get help.
Homes to rent in St Helens
St Helens is a former glass-making and coal-mining town between Liverpool and Manchester. Much of the housing is Victorian and Edwardian red-brick terraces in Thatto Heath, Parr and Sutton, with large post-war council estates and inter-war semis in Eccleston, Rainhill and Rainford. Private renting grew faster than the regional average between 2011 and 2021, much of it in the terraced streets. Prices remain well below the North West average.
Average rent: £790 a month (ONS, May 2026), up 5.6% 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 St Helens homes
- Victorian terraces in Thatto Heath, Parr and Sutton: record the back yard, rear alley gate, gutters, chimneys and any damp in rear rooms.
- Homes on former mining land: photograph any cracks in walls or ceilings and doors or windows that stick, which may come from ground movement.
- Former council houses in Parr and Haydock: photograph the boiler, fencing, sheds and gardens, and note any non-standard construction.
- Stone cottages in Billinge: check walls inside for damp, and photograph window reveals and chimney breasts.
- New-build homes on former industrial sites in Sutton and Newton-le-Willows: 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 St Helens Borough Council's Private Sector Housing Standards Team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords. St Helens Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in St Helens: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in St Helens?
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 St Helens get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact St Helens Borough Council's Private Sector Housing Standards 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.