Renting a home: from viewing to registering the contract

Renting is a faster decision than buying and cheaper to get wrong — but getting it wrong still costs a full year of discomfort.

Before viewing

Set a full budget: rent, utilities, service charges, and the refundable deposit. Then choose the district by travel time rather than distance — ten kilometres at rush hour is not ten kilometres.

During the viewing

Check what photos never show:

• **Water pressure** — open the taps, flush the toilets
• **Air conditioning** — run every unit and wait for it to cool
• **Damp** — inspect below windows, ceiling corners, and around bathrooms
• **Sound insulation** — listen for the street and the neighbours
• **Natural light** — visit during the day, not only in the evening
• **Parking** — how many dedicated spaces, and are they shaded
• **Signal** — check mobile coverage inside the rooms

Photograph every existing defect before signing. Those photos are your reference when you move out.

In the contract

Ask for these to be stated explicitly:

• Term with start and end dates
• Rent, number of instalments, and due dates
• Deposit, when it is returned, and what may be deducted
• Who covers air conditioning, plumbing and electrical maintenance
• Whether municipal and service fees fall on landlord or tenant
• Renewal terms and any increase percentage
• Early termination conditions for both parties

What is not written cannot be claimed later. A verbal understanding is no substitute for a written clause.

Registration

The **Ejar** platform registers contracts electronically. Registration is not a formality — it preserves your rights in a dispute and links the contract to government services.

On moving out

Request a joint inspection, compare it against your move-in photos, and obtain a written clearance before handing over the keys.

The single rule that summarises all of the above: document everything — in photos and in writing.