Renting an apartment — a practical guide

Renting is the fastest property decision you will make — which is exactly why it is easy to skip the checks. This guide walks you through what really matters, from the first viewing to the day you hand back the keys.

What it actually costs

The rent in the listing is only part of it. Your real monthly budget includes:

• the rent;
• the building maintenance charge (higher in winter, sometimes double);
• utilities not covered by maintenance: electricity, gas, internet;
• the deposit, paid once at the start;
• an agency fee, where one applies.

Ask from the beginning who pays what. Many misunderstandings happen because "maintenance included" means different things to a landlord and to a tenant.

What to check at the viewing

Look at the things you will use every day:

• hot and cold water pressure, at the shower and at the sink;
• whether the boiler or the radiators actually work;
• sockets, switches, the fuse board;
• the condition of the cooker, fridge and washing machine, if they stay;
• windows: do they close properly? is there condensation?;
• signs of damp in bathrooms, on exterior walls, behind furniture;
• noise from the street and from neighbours;
• parking, storage, bicycle access.

Photograph every existing defect, even if the landlord says it is nothing. The same photos will be useful when you move out.

The contract: what must be written down

A fair contract protects both sides. Make sure it contains:

1. The parties — the landlord must be the person on the title deed, or someone formally authorised.
2. The exact address and what is being rented (apartment, parking space, storage).
3. The rent, the currency, the due date and the payment method.
4. The term and the conditions for extending it.
5. The deposit: the amount, when it can be withheld, and when it must be returned.
6. Who pays utilities, maintenance, small repairs and major ones.
7. The notice period — usually one month — for each side.
8. The rules on pets, smoking, subletting and redecorating.
9. A handover report, with meter readings and a list of the items in the property.

Ask for a copy of the title deed and the landlord's ID. Never pay anything before signing, and never send money for a place you have not seen.

The deposit, briefly

The deposit is money you hand over at the start to cover possible damage or unpaid rent. It is not the last month's rent, unless the contract explicitly says it can be used that way.

To get it back in full: return the property clean, in the condition described in the handover report, with all bills paid. Normal wear and tear (slightly worn paint, door hinges) is not deducted — damage is.

Living there without surprises

Keep proof of every payment, even if you pay cash — ask for a receipt or use a bank transfer. Report any major fault in writing, so there is a record of the request. Repairs to the structure, the installations and the landlord's appliances are usually their responsibility; light bulbs and consumables are yours.

Move-out day

Send written notice a month in advance. Schedule the handover in daylight, read the meters together with the landlord, sign a final handover report and agree clearly when and how the deposit comes back.

Housing law and market practice change. This guide is indicative — for specific situations, consult a lawyer or official sources.

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