DIY InventoryRenting in West Devon: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in West Devon can get help.
Homes to rent in West Devon
West Devon is a rural borough taking in much of Dartmoor, with Tavistock and Okehampton as its main towns. Many homes are built of granite, stone or cob, some thatched and listed, and a large share are off the gas network. Private renting is close to the national level, with farm cottages and flats over shops in the market towns. Holiday lets and second homes are common in the moorland villages.
Average rent: £846 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 3.3% 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 West Devon homes
- Granite and stone cottages: photograph damp patches, condensation and mould, which are common in solid-walled homes on and around Dartmoor.
- Homes off the gas network: record the oil tank level, LPG bottles, wood burners and any private water supply or septic tank.
- Cob and thatched cottages around Hatherleigh: photograph the thatch, lime render and timber windows, and note any fire safety advice.
- Moorland homes in Princetown and Yelverton: check heating, gutters and windows for weather damage after winter.
- Flats over shops in Tavistock and Okehampton: note the separate entrance, stairs, meters and any shared bin store.
- Farm cottages: photograph yards, gates, outbuildings and the access track if it is 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
West Devon Borough Council's Environmental Health team deals with disrepair and unsafe conditions in private rented homes and licenses HMOs. West Devon Borough Council: private renting.
Renting in West Devon: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in West Devon?
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 West Devon get help?
West Devon Borough Council's Environmental Health team deals with disrepair and unsafe conditions in private rented homes and licenses HMOs.
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
South HamsTeignbridgeMid DevonTorridgePlymouthCornwallAll areas