DIY InventoryRenting in Winchester: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Winchester can get help.
Homes to rent in Winchester
Winchester district is mostly rural, centred on the historic cathedral city, and is one of the more expensive parts of Hampshire. The city has many listed and period homes, Victorian terraces near the station and post-war estates, and the University of Winchester brings student lets, especially in Stanmore and Winnall. The market towns of Alresford and Bishop's Waltham have Georgian and older houses, while the south of the district around Whiteley has large modern estates.
Average rent: £1,504 a month (ONS, June 2026), up 3.6% 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 Winchester homes
- Listed and period homes in the city centre: photograph original windows, fireplaces and floors carefully, as repairs need consent.
- Student houses in Stanmore and Winnall: record each bedroom's lock, furniture and fire doors, and check a licence is in place for five or more sharers.
- Victorian terraces in Fulflood and Hyde: photograph sash windows, damp in cellars and rear gardens.
- Chalk-stream valley homes along the Itchen: check for groundwater flooding, airbricks and watermarks.
- Rural homes off the gas network: note the oil tank level, wood burners and any septic tank.
- Modern estates at Whiteley and Barton Farm: 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
Winchester City Council's private sector housing team investigates disrepair and unsafe conditions in private rented homes and licenses HMOs. Winchester City Council: private renting.
Renting in Winchester: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Winchester?
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 Winchester get help?
Winchester City 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.