Renting an apartment: pre-lease checks
What to check before signing a lease: proof of ownership, the apartment's condition, key contract clauses and common rental scams to avoid.

[ ] Verify the landlord is the actual owner
    Ask for the landlord's passport and a recent ownership record (land registry extract or title deed). A mismatched name is a reason to walk away.
[ ] Check consent from all co-owners
    If the property has multiple owners (spouses, heirs), every one of them needs to sign — or grant a notarized power of attorney to one who signs for the rest. Skip this and any co-owner can contest the lease later.
[ ] Verify who's actually renting out the apartment
    "I'm renting it out for a friend who's abroad" is a classic scam script involving an apartment the person doesn't actually own. Insist on direct contact with the real owner and never send money before verifying documents in person.
[ ] Ask for recent utility bill receipts
    Unpaid utility bills can become a headache for whoever ends up living there. Recent receipts showing a zero balance settle the question upfront.
[ ] Check hot water pressure
    Turn on the tap and wait. Weak pressure or a long wait for hot water often only shows up in winter, when moving out is a hassle.
[ ] Test every outlet
    Bring a charger and test the outlet in every room, kitchen and hallway included — dead ones tend to go unmentioned.
[ ] Check that windows close properly
    Draughty windows mean higher heating bills and a cold apartment. Check the seals and hardware on each one.
[ ] Check corners and windowsills for mold
    Dark spots under windowsills and in ceiling corners signal damp or a leak the landlord won't mention out loud.
[ ] Turn on every appliance
    Stove, washing machine, water heater, AC — switch each one on during the viewing. Anything that breaks after move-in may be on your dime unless it's noted in the handover report.
[ ] Visit again in the evening
    A quiet daytime viewing tells you nothing about noisy neighbors upstairs or traffic outside. A second visit in the evening reveals the real soundscape.
[ ] Check which internet providers cover the address
    Not every building has fiber from the provider you want — check before moving day, not after.
[ ] Make a photo inventory of everything in the apartment
    Photograph every scratch, chip and stain BEFORE moving in and get both sides to sign the inventory — it's what protects your deposit at move-out.
[ ] Confirm the lease term
    A fixed term protects you from a sudden "move out in a month," but it binds you too — make sure the dates work for both sides.
[ ] Get the rent-increase terms in writing
    Without a clause, the landlord can raise the rent whenever and however much they like. Pin down a cap and how often it can happen.
[ ] Clarify who pays for repairs
    Split it in the contract: everyday wear (a lightbulb, a tap washer) is on the tenant; a major appliance or utility breakdown is on the owner.
[ ] Agree on the move-out notice period
    Usually two weeks to a month — put a number in the contract so you're not billed for an extra month you didn't know you owed.
[ ] Spell out the deposit return conditions
    Note the return deadline (usually up to two weeks after move-out) and exactly what can justify a deduction — otherwise you have nothing to argue with.
[ ] Record the meter readings
    Write down water, electricity and gas readings in the handover report with photos on move-in day — it rules out getting billed for someone else's usage.
[ ] Put the house rules in writing
    Pets, kids, overnight guests, minor changes (hanging a shelf, painting a wall) — a verbal "we'll figure it out" means nothing once there's a dispute.
[ ] Always pay with proof
    A bank transfer with a note ("March rent under lease #…") or a signed receipt from the owner — cash with no paper trail is impossible to prove later.
[ ] Scope out the neighborhood
    Walk around in the evening: night transport options, parking, the nearest shop and pharmacy — this is your daily experience, not just the view from the window.
[ ] Don't fall for "three other people are viewing it"
    It's a classic tactic to rush you into paying before you've checked the documents. A genuinely good apartment can wait a day; a scammer can't.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/rent-apartment-check