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For tenantsRenting in Staffordshire Moorlands: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Staffordshire Moorlands can get help.
Homes to rent in Staffordshire Moorlands
Staffordshire Moorlands runs from the edge of Stoke-on-Trent up into the Peak District, with Leek, Biddulph and Cheadle as its towns. Leek has Victorian terraces and converted silk mills, while the hill villages have stone cottages, farmhouses and barn conversions, many off the gas grid. Private renting is low, at about one in eight households, and few properties need an HMO licence. Affordability worsened sharply between 2019 and 2024.
Average rent: £732 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 7.6% 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 Staffordshire Moorlands homes
- Stone cottages and farmhouses in the Peak District villages: photograph walls inside for damp, window reveals, chimney breasts and the condition of any wood burner.
- Homes off the gas grid: record the oil tank and gauge level or LPG tank, and any septic tank or treatment plant cover.
- Upland homes exposed to winter weather: check gutters, roof slates, outside pipes and any frost damage, and note any snow and ice arrangements for access.
- Victorian terraces and converted mills in Leek: record the back yard, rear gate, large mill windows and any condensation marks.
- Homes near the Caldon Canal and the Churnet: check ground floors and gardens for damp or signs of past flooding.
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 Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council: private renting.
Renting in Staffordshire Moorlands: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Staffordshire Moorlands?
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 Staffordshire Moorlands get help?
Tenants with disrepair, damp or safety problems can contact Staffordshire Moorlands 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 Staffordshire Moorlands home’s condition today, on your phone.
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