DIY InventoryRenting in Wigan: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Wigan can get help.
Homes to rent in Wigan
Wigan borough is made up of several former mining and mill towns, including Wigan, Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley and Ashton-in-Makerfield. Red-brick Victorian terraces are common, alongside large post-war council estates and many new estates built on former colliery and industrial land. Prices are among the lowest in Greater Manchester, and private renting rose quickly between 2011 and 2021 though it stays below the national level. Much of the private rented stock is older terraces and ex-council houses.
Average rent: £741 a month (ONS, May 2026), up 7.5% 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 Wigan homes
- Victorian terraces: photograph back yards, outhouses, damp in rear kitchens and the condition of back alleys and gates.
- Older homes in former mining areas: note any cracks in walls, sticking doors or uneven floors that could point to movement.
- Ex-council houses and maisonettes: record communal areas, bin stores, fences and any garages in blocks.
- New-build estates in Standish, Leigh and Golborne: check sealant, flooring and snagging marks, and who maintains shared land.
- Flats over shops in town centres: note separate entrances, meter cupboards and rear fire escapes.
- Homes near the canal and flashes: photograph any damp, gutters and gardens prone to waterlogging.
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
Wigan Council's private sector housing and HMO team investigates disrepair and unsafe conditions in private rented homes. Wigan Council: private renting.
Renting in Wigan: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Wigan?
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 Wigan get help?
Wigan Council's private sector housing and HMO team investigates disrepair and unsafe conditions in private 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.
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