DIY InventoryRenting in Wiltshire: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Wiltshire can get help.
Homes to rent in Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a large rural county of market towns and villages, with Salisbury, Trowbridge and Chippenham the largest towns. Many older homes are stone, brick and flint or thatched, a lot of them listed or in conservation areas, while the larger towns have grown with big new estates. Army bases around Salisbury Plain, at Tidworth, Bulford, Larkhill and Warminster, bring service family housing and rented homes for military personnel. Private renting is a little below the national level.
Average rent: £1,091 a month (ONS, September 2026), up 5.8% 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 Wiltshire homes
- Stone and thatched cottages in the villages: photograph thatch, damp at the base of walls and timber windows, and note fire safety advice.
- Listed homes in Salisbury, Bradford on Avon and Marlborough: record original features carefully, as repairs need consent.
- Rural homes off the gas network: note the oil tank level, wood burners and any septic tank or private water supply.
- Homes let to service families near Salisbury Plain: record every appliance and furnishing in detail, as postings can end tenancies at short notice.
- Riverside homes on the Avon in Salisbury and Bradford on Avon: check for flood damage, airbricks and watermarks.
- New-build estates in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Melksham: check sealant, flooring and snagging marks, and who maintains shared land.
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
Wiltshire Council's Private Sector Housing team investigates disrepair and unsafe conditions in private rented homes and licenses HMOs. Wiltshire Council: private renting.
Renting in Wiltshire: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Wiltshire?
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 Wiltshire get help?
Wiltshire Council's Private Sector Housing team investigates 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.