DIY InventoryRenting in Wealden: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Wealden can get help.
Homes to rent in Wealden
Wealden is a large, rural district stretching from the coast at Pevensey Bay to the High Weald, and most homes are owner-occupied. Its towns, Hailsham, Uckfield, Crowborough and Heathfield, have grown with large new-build estates around older centres. Villages have tile-hung and weatherboarded cottages, farmhouses and barn conversions, many off the gas network. Bungalows are common in Polegate, Willingdon and along the coast, where many retired people live.
Average rent: £1,259 a month (ONS, February 2026), up 2.1% 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 Wealden homes
- Rural cottages off the gas network: record the oil tank or LPG level, boiler type and any septic tank or private drainage.
- Tile-hung and weatherboarded cottages in the High Weald: photograph cladding, timber windows, low beams and any damp patches.
- Wood burners and open fires in village homes: note the sweep certificate date and the condition of hearths and stoves.
- Coastal bungalows at Pevensey Bay: photograph window frames, door locks and any salt corrosion on metalwork and outdoor fittings.
- New-build estates in Hailsham and Uckfield: check sealant, flooring and any snagging marks, and note who maintains shared areas.
- Large gardens and driveways: photograph lawns, hedges, gates and outbuildings, as gardens often form part of the tenancy.
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
Wealden District Council's Private Housing team advises private tenants and can look into disrepair and unsafe conditions in rented homes. Wealden District Council: private renting.
Renting in Wealden: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Wealden?
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 Wealden get help?
Wealden District Council's Private Housing team advises private tenants and can look into disrepair and unsafe conditions in rented homes.
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.