DIY InventoryRenting in Wyre Forest: check-in and getting your deposit back
What to check when you move in, how to protect your deposit, and where renters in Wyre Forest can get help.
Homes to rent in Wyre Forest
Wyre Forest is made up of the former carpet town of Kidderminster, the canal town of Stourport-on-Severn and the riverside town of Bewdley, with villages and woodland around them. Kidderminster has many Victorian terraces and converted mill buildings, and HMOs are concentrated there. Large interwar and post-war estates surround the town, and park homes and holiday caravans are common around Stourport. Bewdley and Stourport sit on the Severn, which floods regularly.
Average rent: £823 a month (ONS, July 2026), down 2.3% 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 Wyre Forest homes
- Riverside homes in Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn: photograph flood defences, airbricks, flood doors and any watermarks.
- Victorian terraces in Kidderminster: photograph back yards, damp in rear kitchens and older windows.
- Converted carpet mill and factory flats: note fobs, ventilation, shared areas and parking.
- Park homes around Stourport: record the pitch, skirting, steps, sheds and the site rules that apply.
- Listed Georgian homes in Bewdley: record original features carefully, as repairs need consent.
- Woodland homes near Far Forest: check gutters, roofs and trees close to the house, and note any oil tank or septic tank.
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
Wyre Forest District Council's Private Sector Housing team investigates disrepair and unsafe conditions in private rented homes and licenses HMOs. Wyre Forest District Council: private renting.
Renting in Wyre Forest: questions
What should I check when I move into a rented home in Wyre Forest?
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 Wyre Forest get help?
Wyre Forest District 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.
Nearby areas
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Ready when you have the keys
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