First Apartment Rental: Practical Tips and Checklist

Short answer: before you sign your first lease, calculate your real budget (rent + utility deposits + security deposit, ideally plus a reserve), view the apartment in person and write everything down. Key documents are a written lease and a handover protocol with photos — they protect you if disputes arise later about the deposit or apartment condition.

Your first apartment rental is a big step and your first major financial experience. This guide will take you through the entire process from budgeting to moving in, so you can avoid common mistakes and prevent disputes later.

Budget: What You Pay For

The most common beginner mistake is calculating only the bare rent. Real monthly costs are actually higher. Before you start looking, add up:

• Rent — the amount you pay the landlord for using the apartment.
• Utility deposits — water, heating, common areas, elevator, sometimes trash. Usually settled once a year, so you might get a refund or have to pay extra.
• Energy — electricity and gas, if not included in deposits. You often take over these accounts and pay the provider directly.
• Internet and fees — connection, possibly broadcasting fees or home insurance.

How much to have upfront

At the very beginning, you'll typically pay more than one month's rent at once:

1. First month's rent (sometimes last month's rent too, paid in advance).
2. Utility deposits for the first period.
3. Security deposit — see below.
4. Possible realtor commission if an agency helped you find the apartment.

A good rule is to have savings equal to about three to four months' rent so you can start without stress.

Finding and Viewing an Apartment

When looking, clarify your priorities upfront: location, transit access, floor, elevator, furnishings. Filter by these and don't get seduced by a beautiful photo of an apartment on the other side of town.

What to check during a viewing

Bring a notebook or take notes on your phone. Go through:

• Apartment condition — windows, doors, floors, mold in the bathroom and on walls, whether heating works.
• Water and pressure — turn on faucets, flush, check drains.
• Appliances — what's included and whether it works (fridge, washing machine, stove).
• Noise and surroundings — busy street, neighbors, shop and transit access.
• Mobile signal and internet availability in the area.

What to ask the landlord

• How much exactly are the utility deposits and what do they cover?
• How are utilities billed and who is registered as the consumer?
• What's the security deposit amount and conditions for return?
• How long is the lease and what's the notice period?
• Are pets, smoking, and minor apartment modifications allowed?
• Who handles and pays for repairs (e.g., if hot water stops working)?

Security Deposit: How It Works

A security deposit, now legally called a deposit (jistota), is money you pay as insurance in case you don't pay rent or cause damage. Under civil law, the deposit can be at most three times the monthly rent (calculated on rent only, not including utility deposits).

Key principles:

• The deposit is not extra rent — it's returned to you when your lease ends, as long as you didn't owe money or damage the apartment.
• Insist that the amount and return conditions be stated in the lease.
• Pay it by bank transfer so you have proof. If paying cash, get a written receipt.

Handover Protocol and Photo Documentation

This is the step beginners most often skip — and later lose their deposit because of it. A handover protocol is a document recording the condition of the apartment when you move in.

It should include:

• Date of handover.
• Meter readings — electricity, water, gas (write down the numbers from the meters).
• Number of keys handed over (apartment, entrance, mailbox, basement).
• Description of condition of the apartment and furnishings, including existing damage (scratched wall, creaky door, stains).

Photo documentation step by step

1. Take photos of every room and any visible damage right at handover.
2. Make sure photos have date stamps (your phone saves these automatically in metadata).
3. Photograph meter readings as proof of the starting condition.
4. Save photos in two places (cloud, email to yourself).

Both parties sign the protocol and keep a copy. You'll do the same protocol when moving out — comparing the two protects both sides.

Lease: What to Watch For

The lease must be in writing. Before signing, read it carefully (take a day to think it over if needed) and check:

• Names and addresses of both parties and the exact apartment description.
• Rent and deposit amounts and payment method (bank account, due date).
• Security deposit amount and return conditions.
• Lease duration (fixed or open-ended) and notice requirements.
• Rules for repairs, pets, subletting, number of residents.

If you don't understand something, ask. Verbal promises ("we don't need to write that down, it won't happen") have no weight in a dispute — only what's on paper counts.

Living with Roommates

Renting with others is cheaper but has its challenges. Decide upfront:

• Who's on the lease — everyone or just one main tenant? This determines who's responsible for what.
• Cost sharing — rent, deposits, utilities, internet. Agree on a clear formula (split evenly? by room size?).
• Deposit — who paid how much and who gets refunded when they leave.
• House rules — cleaning, guests, quiet hours, shared groceries.

Even with friends, write down an informal agreement. Money and cleaning disputes have broken many friendships — a simple document is cheap insurance.

How AI Can Help with Your Search

Apartment hunting takes a lot of time — browsing portals, comparing prices and features. This is where AI assistants come in. Instead of manual filtering, you can tell ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Gemini directly what you need: "find me a 2-bedroom apartment under 18,000 with transit access and pets allowed."

For this to work, listings need to be readable and structured for AI. The free platform AssetLog (assetlog.ai) is built for exactly this: listings have data in fields (price, location, layout) and the site allows AI crawlers, so an assistant can find and recommend relevant offers to you. In ChatGPT or Claude, just add AssetLog as a Custom Connector at https://api.assetlog.ai/mcp. It's free and requires no registration for you as a searcher.

If you're listing an apartment yourself, you can post on AssetLog (even through AI) so those asking AI about housing can find you.

Summary: Checklist Before Signing

• Calculated real budget (rent + deposits + security deposit + reserve).
• In-person apartment viewing and notes on condition.
• Clarified utility deposits, energy costs, and who pays for repairs.
• Security deposit amount in lease, paid by bank transfer.
• Handover protocol with meter readings and key count.
• Photo documentation of every room and damage, saved in two places.
• Carefully read written lease.
• With roommates, written agreement on cost sharing and house rules.

If you pay attention to these things from the start, you'll save yourself a lot of stress — and most importantly, the money you might otherwise lose on your deposit.

How much money do I need upfront?

Plan for your first rent payment, utility deposits, and security deposit. Often you'll need to have about three to four months' rent ready at the start. If a realtor helped find the apartment, add their commission too.

How high can the security deposit be?

Under civil law, the security deposit can be at most three times the monthly rent. This limit applies to rent alone, not including utility deposits. The landlord must return it when your lease ends.

What should a handover protocol include?

The handover date, meter readings (electricity, water, gas), the number of keys handed over, a description of the apartment and furnishings condition, and ideally photos. Both parties sign and keep a copy.

Can I sign a lease agreement verbally?

No, the law requires a written lease. Verbal agreements are risky for both sides — without a document, it's hard to prove what you agreed to about rent, deposits, or notice periods. Always insist on a written contract.

What should I watch out for with roommates?

Mainly who's listed on the lease and how you split rent, deposits, and expenses. Agree upfront on cleaning rules, guests, and payments — ideally write it down, even informally. This prevents disputes between friends.

How can AI help me find an apartment?

AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Gemini can browse listings and recommend apartments based on your criteria. The free platform AssetLog (assetlog.ai) has structured listings that AI can read, so an assistant can directly suggest matching offers based on your budget and location.

Is it worth checking the apartment after moving in?

Absolutely. After handover, walk through, photograph any damage, and record it in the protocol. This protects you — you won't lose deposit money for damage you didn't cause when you move out.