DIY InventoryRenting in Stoke-on-Trent: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Stoke-on-Trent can get help.
Homes to rent in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent is a city of six towns with a large stock of Victorian and Edwardian terraces built for pottery workers, many now privately rented. Private renting rose from 14% to 20% of households between 2011 and 2021, one of the biggest rises in the West Midlands. Shelton has many student HMOs near Staffordshire University, and the council has proposed limits on new HMOs across the city. Prices and rents are among the lowest in the region.
Average rent: £718 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 5.1% 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 Stoke-on-Trent homes
- Victorian terraces in Burslem, Tunstall and Fenton: photograph back yards, rear walls and any damp or salt marks low on the walls.
- Student HMOs in Shelton: record each bedroom door lock and key, fire doors, alarms and the kitchen equipment shared between tenants.
- Older homes with solid walls: check bedroom corners and behind furniture for condensation and black mould, especially in winter.
- Flats over shops in Hanley and Longton: note the separate entrance, stairs, fire door and any shared meter cupboard.
- Terraced houses with gas fires or back boilers: photograph the appliance and its service label, and attach the gas safety certificate.
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 contact Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Private Sector Housing Team about disrepair, damp and unsafe conditions. Stoke-on-Trent City Council: private renting.
Renting in Stoke-on-Trent: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Stoke-on-Trent?
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 Stoke-on-Trent get help?
Private tenants can contact Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Private Sector Housing Team about disrepair, damp and unsafe conditions.
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.
Nearby areas
Newcastle-under-LymeStaffordshire MoorlandsStaffordAll areas
Ready when you have the keys
Record your Stoke-on-Trent home’s condition today, on your phone.
Start free