Arriving in a new city is exciting, but it can also feel stressful if you are tired, carrying luggage, or unsure what to do first. Your arrival day is the start of your rental period, so it is important to stay organized, communicate clearly, and document the property properly from the beginning.
This guide explains what tenants should do on arrival day and during the first 48 hours after Move-in.
Before You Arrive
Before traveling to Zagreb, make sure your arrival details are confirmed.
You should know:
- the exact address of the property
- the agreed Move-in date
- approximate arrival time
- how to contact the landlord or responsible person
If your arrival time changes, inform HomeInZagreb or the landlord as early as possible. Delays happen, especially with flights, buses, trains, border crossings, or traffic, but clear communication helps avoid confusion.
On Arrival: Key Handover
When you arrive at the property, first confirm that you received all keys and access items.
This may include:
- apartment key
- building entrance key
- mailbox key
- garage remote
- parking card
- building access chip
- room key, if you are renting a room
- any other access item connected to the property
If something is missing, ask immediately and make a note of it.
It is also useful to ask how the building entrance works, where the mailbox is, where to dispose of waste, and whether there are any building rules you should know from the first day.
Check the Property Before Settling In
Before you fully unpack, take a few minutes to walk through the property.
Check the main areas:
- entrance and doors
- bedroom
- bathroom
- kitchen
- living room, if applicable
- balcony or terrace
- windows and blinds
- heating and cooling
- appliances
- furniture
- lights and sockets
- Wi-Fi router
- water pressure and hot water
- washing machine, fridge, stove, oven and other included appliances
You do not need to inspect everything like a professional, but you should check whether the property generally matches what was agreed and whether there are any visible issues.
Take Photos and Videos
This is one of the most important steps on arrival day.
Take clear photos or short videos of the property before you start moving things around. Focus on the general condition and any visible issues.
Document:
- walls and floors
- furniture
- mattress and bed
- kitchen surfaces and appliances
- bathroom condition
- windows, doors and locks
- existing scratches, stains or damage
- missing or broken items
- cleanliness concerns
- meter readings, if relevant
Good documentation protects both you and the landlord. It helps avoid misunderstandings later, especially at Move-out.
Report Issues Within 48 Hours
If you notice pre-existing damage, missing items, technical problems or cleanliness concerns, report them as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours of Move-in.
Send a written message with:
- what the issue is
- where it is located
- when you noticed it
- photos or videos
- whether it is urgent or not
Examples of issues to report early:
- broken appliance
- missing key
- damaged furniture
- water leak
- mold or damp area
- dirty fridge or bathroom
- broken window or blind
- heating or hot water issue
- Wi-Fi not working
- visible damage that was already there
Do not wait until Move-out to mention something that was present on arrival. If it was already there, it should be documented early.
Understand the Basics
During handover or shortly after arrival, ask how the most important things work.
You may want to ask:
- how to use the heating
- how to use the boiler or hot water system
- how to connect to Wi-Fi
- where to dispose of waste and recycling
- how to ventilate properly
- how to use appliances
- what to do if something breaks
- who to contact for urgent issues
- how and when to pay rent and utilities
- whether there are specific house rules
A few minutes of explanation on arrival day can prevent many problems later.
Payments and Confirmations
Make sure you understand which payments were already completed and which payments are still due.
Keep all payment confirmations.
If you pay rent or utilities by bank transfer, save the confirmation and send it to the landlord if requested.
Move-in Record or Online Form
If you receive a Move-in Property Record form or QR code, complete it within the required timeframe.
This form is useful because it creates a structured record of the property condition at the beginning of your stay.
When completing the form, be accurate and practical. The goal is not to complain about every small detail, but to clearly document anything that could matter later.
If You Arrive Late or Tired
Many tenants arrive after a long trip. If you are tired, you may want to unpack and rest immediately, but do not completely skip the basic property check.
At minimum, before going to sleep:
- confirm you received the keys
- check that doors and windows close properly
- check that water, electricity and heating/hot water work
- take quick photos of the main rooms
- report urgent problems immediately
You can complete a more detailed check the next day, but still keep it within the first 48 hours.
If Something Is Urgent
Some problems should be reported immediately, not later.
Urgent issues may include:
- water leak
- no access to the property
- no electricity
- no heating in very cold weather
- gas smell
- broken lock or security issue
- major appliance or safety problem
- serious cleanliness or health concern
For emergencies involving police, fire, medical help, gas, electricity, water or building safety, contact the appropriate emergency service, public authority, utility provider, landlord or building contact. HomeInZagreb can help with communication where appropriate, but it is not a 24/7 emergency service.
Respect the Property From Day One
From the first day, use the property responsibly.
That means:
- keep the property clean
- ventilate regularly
- avoid noise and parties
- respect neighbors
- follow house rules
- do not smoke if smoking is not allowed
- do not move furniture or make changes without approval
- report issues early
- keep written communication
A good start makes the rest of the stay easier.
Final Arrival Day Checklist
Before or shortly after Move-in, make sure you have completed these steps:
- Confirm arrival time and handover person.
- Receive and check all keys and access items.
- Walk through the property.
- Take photos and videos.
- Report pre-existing issues within 48 hours.
- Ask how heating, hot water, Wi-Fi, waste and appliances work.
- Save payment confirmations.
- Complete the Move-in Property Record if provided.
- Keep written communication.
- Store important contact details.
Final Reminder
Arrival day is not only about getting the keys. It is the moment when your stay officially starts and when the initial property condition should be documented.
Take your time, communicate clearly, and keep records.
A careful Move-in helps protect your comfort, your relationship with the landlord, and your security deposit at the end of the stay.