If you pay rent late, the landlord may:

• charge statutory default interest (extra amount) for each day of delay, and

• if you are seriously or repeatedly late (for example, more than 15 days, depending on the contract), start the process to cancel/terminate the tenancy agreement.

In such a case, the landlord may also:

• use your security deposit to cover unpaid rent and related costs, and

• request that you move out earlier than planned.

Because of this, rent must always be treated as a top priority payment.

If your move-in or move-out date is in the middle of a month:

• some contracts use a pro-rata calculation (you pay only for the exact number of days),

• others may charge the full month if most of the month is used.

Your Tenancy Agreement or offer should explain how partial months are handled. If it’s not clear, ask the landlord or the agency before signing.

Usually, yes. The standard process is:

1. You pay the HomeInZagreb service fee and security deposit according to the offer.

2. You pay the first month’s rent to the landlord before or at the start of the tenancy (exact date is in the contract).

3. You then pay rent every month by the agreed due date.

Always check your offer and contract to know exactly when the first rent payment is due.

Normally, rent is paid by bank transfer to the landlord’s account.

Good practices:

• Always use a clear payment reference, e.g. “Rent – March 202x – [Your Name]”.

• Keep payment confirmations or bank statements, especially for the first and last payments.

• If you want to pay by a different method (cash, payment app, etc.), this must be agreed with the landlord and still clearly documented.

The rent is usually due on Start Rent Date

Your Tenancy Agreement will specify:

• the rent amount, and

• the due date (for example, every 1st, 5th or 10th of the month).

In most cases:

• rent is paid monthly,

• in advance for the upcoming month (e.g. rent for March is due at the beginning of March),

• always by the exact date written in the contract.

Unless your contract says otherwise, rent usually does not include:

• monthly utilities (electricity, water, gas, heating, internet, etc.),

• the HomeInZagreb service fee,

• the security deposit,

• move-out or special cleaning fees (if applicable),

• personal services such as regular cleaning, additional parking, etc.

Always read your contract to see exactly what you pay in addition to rent.

Rent always includes:

• the right to use the property (room, apartment, house), and

• the use of furniture and equipment listed in the inventory or described in the contract.

Depending on the agreement, rent may:

• include some utilities,

• exclude utilities, which are then paid separately, or

• be combined with a fixed utility amount.

Your Tenancy Agreement clearly states what is included in rent and what is not included.

No, they are three completely different things:

• Rent – paid to the landlord, usually every month.
• Service fee – a one-time agency fee for finding and securing the property, paid to HomeInZagreb when you book or extend.
• Security deposit – money held as a guarantee for damage/unpaid amounts, usually held by the landlord and returned according to the contract.

Rent does not replace the service fee or deposit, and the service fee/deposit do not replace rent.

You always pay rent directly to the landlord.

• The landlord’s name and bank details are written in your Tenancy Agreement or offer.

• You do not pay rent to HomeInZagreb. The agency only handles the service fee and usually the deposit.

Rent is the amount you pay to the landlord for the right to live in the property (apartment, room or house) for a specific period of time, as defined in your Tenancy Agreement.

Rent is separate from:

• the HomeInZagreb service fee (paid to the agency), and

• the security deposit (held as a guarantee for damage or unpaid obligations).

Depending on the contract, rent may or may not include utilities – always check your Tenancy Agreement.

Some practical tips:

• At move-in, take photos of meter readings (electricity, gas, water) together with the landlord.

• Ask clearly: “Are utilities included, fixed, or by consumption?” and write it down.

• Keep records of every payment (bank statements, confirmations).

• Use heating, air conditioning and hot water reasonably.

• If you do not understand a charge, ask the landlord for a detailed explanation or breakdown.

• Report any leaks, strange noises, or problems (with radiators, water, electricity) as soon as you notice them.

Your obligation as a tenant is to:

• pay the agreed rent and utilities to the landlord, on time and in full.

If you have paid everything as agreed and the landlord has not paid the utility provider:

• this is an issue between the landlord and the provider.

• you should keep your payment confirmations and inform the landlord (and, if needed, the agency) in writing.

HomeInZagreb can help with communication, but cannot control or replace the landlord’s obligation to pay the providers.