DIY InventoryRenting in Trafford: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Trafford can get help.
Homes to rent in Trafford
Trafford has the highest average house price in the North West, driven by Altrincham, Hale and Bowdon, and has some of Greater Manchester's most sought-after school catchments. Private renting is below the regional average and concentrated in Old Trafford, Stretford and Sale, close to the Metrolink into Manchester. Housing ranges from dense Victorian terraces in Old Trafford to large villas in Bowdon and post-war estates in Partington. New apartment blocks are going up around Stretford and Sale.
Average rent: £1,362 a month (ONS, May 2026), up 2.6% 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 Trafford homes
- Victorian terraces in Old Trafford and Gorse Hill: photograph back yards, rear walls and any damp low on the walls.
- Large villas in Hale and Bowdon: record gardens, gates, garages, alarm panels and codes, and any period features such as fireplaces.
- Apartments near Metrolink stops in Sale and Stretford: note fob and key counts, parking permits, bin store access and the intercom handset.
- Family semis in Urmston and Timperley: photograph gardens, fences, sheds and garage doors as lets often include them.
- Homes near the Mersey and the Bridgewater Canal: check ground floors and walls for damp or past flood marks.
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 Trafford Council's Housing Standards Team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions, or report a potentially unlicensed HMO online. Trafford Council: private renting.
Renting in Trafford: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Trafford?
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 Trafford get help?
Private tenants can contact Trafford Council's Housing Standards Team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions, or report a potentially unlicensed HMO online.
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.