DIY Inventory← All areas · Stockton-on-Tees
For tenantsRenting in Stockton-on-Tees: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Stockton-on-Tees can get help.
Homes to rent in Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees has a smaller share of private renters than the North East as a whole, but renting is concentrated in Central Stockton and North Thornaby, where the council found around 41 to 50 per cent of homes privately rented. These areas are mostly Victorian terraces, which led to the selective licensing scheme. Billingham and Hardwick are largely post-war estates, while Ingleby Barwick, Yarm and Eaglescliffe are newer family housing. Rents and prices are low compared with England.
Average rent: £735 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.6% 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 Stockton-on-Tees homes
- Victorian terraces in Central Stockton and Newtown: photograph back yards, outhouses and rear doors, and note any damp in back rooms.
- Licensed homes in the selective licensing streets: record smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and keep the gas and EICR certificates with the report.
- Post-war houses in Billingham and Hardwick: check window seals, boiler cupboards and any condensation or mould on outside walls.
- Newer estate homes in Ingleby Barwick: photograph gardens, fences, driveways and any snagging marks inside.
- Flats over shops on Stockton High Street: note the separate entrance, stairs, bin arrangements and keys for each door.
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
Private tenants can report disrepair or poor conditions to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's private sector housing team. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in Stockton-on-Tees: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Stockton-on-Tees?
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 Stockton-on-Tees get help?
Private tenants can report disrepair or poor conditions to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's private sector housing team.
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 Stockton-on-Tees home’s condition today, on your phone.
Start free