DIY InventoryRenting in West Lindsey: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in West Lindsey can get help.
Homes to rent in West Lindsey
West Lindsey is a large rural district north of Lincoln, with Gainsborough its main town. Gainsborough's Victorian terraces near the town centre have a high share of private lets and were the focus of the council's earlier selective licensing scheme. Former RAF housing at Hemswell Cliff and elsewhere is now largely let privately. The villages close to Lincoln have grown with bungalows and modern estates, while the Wolds have older stone and brick homes.
Average rent: £671 a month (ONS, July 2025), up 9.6% 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 West Lindsey homes
- Victorian terraces in Gainsborough: photograph rear yards, damp in back kitchens, older windows and the condition of shared alleys.
- Former RAF houses at Hemswell Cliff and Kirton in Lindsey: note heating type, insulation, windows and any shared parking or play areas.
- Rural homes off the gas network: record the oil tank or LPG level and any septic tank or soakaway.
- Bungalows in the villages north of Lincoln: photograph gardens, garages, driveways and any mobility adaptations.
- Riverside homes near the Trent: check for any flood damage, airbricks and watermarks.
- Flats over shops in Gainsborough and Market Rasen: note separate entrances, meters and rear access.
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 Lindsey District Council's housing team looks into disrepair and unsafe conditions in private rented homes and licenses HMOs. West Lindsey District Council: private renting.
Renting in West Lindsey: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in West Lindsey?
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 Lindsey get help?
West Lindsey District Council's housing team looks into 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.
Ready when you have the keys
Record your West Lindsey home’s condition today, on your phone.
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