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First-Time Renter Checklist: What to Check Before Signing

By Socials··3 min read
First-Time Renter Checklist: What to Check Before Signing

TL;DR: Before you sign anything, verify the landlord's identity, see the place (in person or on live video), read every line of the contract, and never transfer money until you have a signed agreement naming you as the tenant. Missing any of these = risk.

Here's the complete checklist every first-time renter should run through.

Before the viewing

  1. Google the address. Street View, map pin, nearby amenities. Confirm it's a real property in the neighborhood it claims.
  2. Reverse-image-search the listing photos. If they appear on another site or a different price, it's a scam.
  3. Confirm the landlord's name matches the name on any platform profile or agency website. Mismatches are red flags.

At the viewing (in person or live video)

  1. Check water pressure in both taps and shower. Low pressure is annoying forever.
  2. Test the heating. In winter, ask when it was last serviced. In summer, make sure the radiators are actually connected.
  3. Run the extractor fan in the bathroom if there's no window. Mold grows fast without ventilation.
  4. Check every window opens and closes properly. Security risk if they don't.
  5. Look under the kitchen sink for water damage or mold. This is where leaks hide.
  6. Check for mold on bathroom ceilings and corners. Dark spots = problem.
  7. Count electrical outlets in the bedroom. Old buildings often have 1 to 2 outlets per room. You'll need more.
  8. Test the Wi-Fi speed if internet is included. Ask for the router and run a speed test.
  9. Ask about noise levels at different times (early morning, late evening). Traffic, neighbors, nightlife.
  10. Photograph everything, every room, every existing damage (chipped paint, scratches, stains). This protects your deposit.

Before signing the contract

  1. Verify the landlord owns the property. In many countries, you can check public land registers (e.g., Kataster in Germany, Kadaster in the Netherlands, Catasto in Italy). Ask for a recent extract.
  2. Read the contract end-to-end. If it's in a language you don't speak, use a translator app. Never sign blind.
  3. Check the notice period for ending the contract. 1 month is standard. 3 months is common. More than 3 is a red flag for student leases.
  4. Confirm what's included in the rent. Utilities? Internet? TV license? Cleaning?
  5. Verify the deposit amount is legal. Max 1 to 3 months' rent in most countries. Anything higher is illegal.
  6. Ask for a proper inventory (état des lieux / Übergabeprotokoll) at move-in listing every existing defect. Without this, you can be charged for damage you didn't cause.

After signing, before moving in

  1. Get a signed copy of the contract with the landlord's signature AND address. This is your proof of residence for registering with the city.

Red flags to walk away from

  • Landlord refuses to meet in person or do a live video call
  • Payment requested via Western Union, crypto, or personal PayPal
  • Price significantly below comparable listings
  • Deposit higher than 3 months' rent
  • Contract only in a foreign language with no willingness to translate
  • Pressure to sign today "before someone else takes it"

If any of these show up, walk. There are always more rooms, and a bad contract costs you a semester.

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