Renting your first apartment in a new country is overwhelming — unfamiliar processes, different legal protections, and the pressure of securing housing before your temporary accommodation runs out. This checklist walks through every step, from document preparation to key collection.
Before You Start: Document Pack
Create a digital folder with:
- Passport (photo page)
- Visa grant notice / residence permit
- University enrollment confirmation or employment contract
- Bank statement (last 3 months)
- Payslips (last 3 months, if working)
- Previous landlord reference letter (if available)
- Local mobile number (get a prepaid SIM in your first week)
- Proof of address history (previous leases, utility bills)
Having these ready lets you apply the moment you find a good place. In competitive markets, a complete application submitted within 30 minutes of viewing can be the difference between getting it and losing it.
During the Inspection
- Test every tap (hot and cold water, water pressure)
- Flush every toilet
- Turn on the heating/cooling — does it work? How loud is it?
- Open and close every window and door
- Check for mold (bathroom ceilings, behind furniture, window frames)
- Test all power outlets with a phone charger
- Ask about internet — what’s available? Fibre? Who’s the provider?
- Check mobile signal in every room
- Look at the electrical panel / fuse box — is it modern or ancient?
- Ask about the boiler/water heater — how old? When was it last serviced?
Before You Sign
- Read the entire lease. Every clause. If you don’t understand something, ask.
- Verify the landlord/agent’s identity. Look them up on the relevant licensing body website.
- Confirm the bond/deposit amount and where it will be held
- Check for any mandatory fees (some countries ban letting fees for tenants)
- Verify the break clause — under what conditions can you end the lease early?
- Confirm who pays for utilities and how they’re billed
- Check the rent increase terms
- Ask about the inventory/condition report process
Before You Move In
- Take timestamped photos of EVERYTHING. Every wall, floor, appliance, fixture. Email them to the agent/landlord to create a record.
- Note meter readings (electricity, gas, water)
- Set up utility accounts (or confirm they’re included in rent)
- Register your address with immigration authorities if required (e.g., Australia — within 7 days for visa holders)
- Set up internet (can take 1–4 weeks — book early)
- Get contents insurance — covers your belongings against theft, fire, water damage
Red Flags to Walk Away From
- Landlord refuses to provide a written lease
- Landlord refuses to lodge the bond/deposit with the official scheme
- Signs of unresolved water damage or mold
- Heating/cooling that clearly doesn’t work
- Landlord is evasive about basic questions
- Price is 30%+ below market — likely a scam
After Moving In
- Confirm bond receipt from the official scheme
- Set up mail redirection if needed
- Meet your neighbors — they’ll keep an eye on your place
- Learn the bin/recycling schedule
- Locate the water shut-off valve and fuse box
Before you arrive, sort your health coverage. Compare OSHC for Australia or get travel insurance via SafetyWing.