Payments

Yes, in most cases internet and TV packages are treated as part of utilities or monthly running costs.

Your contract or property offer should state:

• whether internet/TV is included in the rent,

• whether it is included in the fixed utilities, or

• whether you pay it separately (by consumption or by a flat fee).

It depends on the property and the contract. Your Tenancy Agreement will state one of the following:

1. Utilities are included in the rent

2. Utilities are paid by consumption (based on actual bills)

3. Utilities are paid as a fixed / lump-sum amount, in addition to the rent

Always check your contract to see which option applies to you.

This is also visible during the booking/reservation for each property.

As a rule: No.

• The deposit is not a prepayment of rent.

• You must continue to pay monthly rent as usual until the end of your tenancy.

Only if there is a clear written agreement with the landlord (signed or confirmed in writing) that the deposit will be used as payment for the last month’s rent can this be done. Without such a written agreement, skipping the last rent payment and “using the deposit” is considered unpaid rent.

No. The security deposit is not a prepayment of utilities or rent.

• During the tenancy, you must pay each rent and utility payment regularly and on time.

• You cannot “skip” utility payments because you have paid a deposit.

At the end of the tenancy, unpaid utilities may be deducted from your deposit

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.

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.

Yes, the security deposit is refundable, provided that:

you have paid all rent, utilities and other charges, and you return the property in the agreed condition, without damage beyond normal wear and tear.

If there is unpaid rent or utilities, damage, missing items or other costs as defined in your Tenancy Agreement, part or all of the deposit may be kept to cover these costs. You will be informed about any deductions and the reason for them.

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.

If utilities are included in the rent:

• You pay one combined amount to the landlord.

• As long as you use utilities in a normal and reasonable way, there are no separate monthly utility payments.

• If you use utilities irresponsibly or excessively (for example, heating on full with open windows, air conditioning running constantly), the landlord may charge extra for the additional costs, if the contract allows it.

If utilities are paid by consumption:

• You pay based on actual usage, according to the bills (electricity, gas, water, etc.).

• The landlord informs you of the amounts and can provide copies of the bills or a calculation.

• You then pay these utility amounts to the landlord in addition to your rent.

It is strongly recommended that you and the landlord:

• record the starting meter readings (electricity, gas, water) at move-in, and

• record the final meter readings at move-out.

This protects both sides and makes it clear what was consumed during your stay.

The security deposit (amount shown in the Basic Terms) is paid as a guarantee that you will:

• pay rent and utilities, and

• take care of the apartment and follow the contract.

At the end of the tenancy, the landlord returns the deposit within a reasonable time, but can legally:

• wait for final utility bills and

• check and repair any damage before returning it.

The landlord can keep all or part of the deposit if:

• you terminate the contract early,

• you owe rent or utilities, or

• there is damage or cleaning needed beyond normal wear and tear.

The deposit cannot be used as rent or utilities during the contract, unless the landlord and tenant make an exceptional, written agreement for the last month’s utilities.

The security deposit is an amount of money you pay before moving in, as a financial guarantee for the landlord and the agency.

You do not pay this to the landlord directly – the deposit is paid to the agency and held as security for your obligations under the Tenancy Agreement.

The security deposit is separate from the monthly rent, utilities and the HomeInZagreb service fee. It is not a prepayment of rent.