DIY InventoryRenting in Stafford: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Stafford can get help.
Homes to rent in Stafford
Stafford borough is the county town of Stafford, the canal town of Stone, and a large rural area of villages and farmland between Cannock Chase and the Shropshire border. Homes range from Victorian terraces near Stafford's centre to large post-war estates and recent new-build developments, with Georgian and older cottages in Eccleshall and the villages. Private renting is a little below average; the barracks at Beaconside add demand for family lets. HMOs are licensed only under the national scheme.
Average rent: £902 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 6.5% 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 Stafford homes
- Victorian terraces near Stafford town centre: record the back yard, rear gate, gutters and any damp in rear rooms and cellars.
- Canal-side homes in Stone and Great Haywood: check for damp, condensation and mould in ground-floor rooms and photograph moorings or gardens that run to the towpath.
- Homes near the River Sow and Trent: check ground floors and gardens for signs of past flooding.
- 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 Stafford and Stone: photograph snagging items, sealant, paintwork and the garden, and note any estate management charge 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 Stafford Borough Council's Housing Standards team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords. Stafford Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Stafford: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Stafford?
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 Stafford get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Stafford Borough Council's 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.