Renting in Westmorland and Furness: check-in and getting your deposit back

Homes to rent in Westmorland and Furness

Westmorland and Furness was formed in 2023 from Barrow-in-Furness, Eden and South Lakeland. Barrow has dense Victorian terraces built for the shipyards, a large private rented sector and growing numbers of HMOs. South Lakeland and Eden are dominated by stone cottages, farmhouses and Victorian villas, and in the Lake District many homes are second homes or holiday lets, which keeps long-term lets scarce. Many rural homes are off the gas network.

Average rent: £816 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 6.4% on a year earlier. Source

On moving-in day

1. Before unpacking, photograph every room: a wide shot, then each item, with the date and time on every photo.
2. Photograph the meters (gas, electricity, water) and write down the readings.
3. Count the keys and fobs, and test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
4. Note anything worn, marked or not working, and send it to the landlord or agent within a few days.

Things to look at in Westmorland and Furness homes

• Victorian terraces in Barrow: photograph damp in back kitchens, rear yards, back alleys and older sash or replacement windows.
• Stone cottages in the Lakes and Eden valley: record damp, condensation and mould, which are common in solid-walled homes in a wet climate.
• Rural homes off the gas network: note the oil tank level, solid-fuel stoves, private water supplies and septic tanks.
• Coastal homes on Walney and around Morecambe Bay: photograph metalwork, window frames and render for salt and storm damage.
• Homes in flood-hit towns such as Kendal and Appleby: check for flood damage, airbricks, flood doors and watermarks.
• Former holiday lets now let long-term: record every item of furniture and equipment, as inventories can be long.

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

Westmorland and Furness Council's private sector housing team deals with disrepair and unsafe conditions in private rented homes and licenses HMOs. Westmorland and Furness Council: private renting.

Do your check-in free Moving-in checklist