DIY InventoryRenting in Stroud: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Stroud can get help.
Homes to rent in Stroud
Stroud is a district of Cotswold stone towns in the Five Valleys, with old mill buildings, steep terraced streets and many listed or conservation-area homes. Private renting is below the national average, with lets concentrated in Stroud, Stonehouse, Dursley and Cam. Large new-build estates have been added around Stonehouse, Cam and the edge of Gloucester. Rural villages have stone cottages, some off the gas grid.
Average rent: £1,047 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 Stroud homes
- Cotswold stone cottages and terraces: photograph thick walls, window reveals and any damp patches or flaking limewash.
- Hillside homes in Stroud and Nailsworth: record steps, retaining walls, sloping gardens and access paths.
- Converted mill flats in the valleys: note shared entrances, lifts, parking and any signs of damp near the water.
- Rural homes off the gas grid: photograph the oil tank or LPG supply, fuel level and boiler service label.
- New-build estates at Great Oldbury and Cam: note snagging marks, fences, turf and allocated parking.
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 Stroud District Council's Private Sector Housing team about disrepair, damp and unsafe conditions. Stroud District Council: private renting.
Renting in Stroud: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Stroud?
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 Stroud get help?
Private tenants can contact Stroud District 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
GloucesterCotswoldTewkesburyForest of DeanSouth GloucestershireAll areas