Before moving into a property, one of the most important documents you will receive is your tenancy agreement.
A tenancy agreement is not just a formality. It explains the main rights, obligations, payment rules, property rules, move-in responsibilities, move-out expectations, and possible consequences if the agreement is not respected.
At HomeInZagreb, the tenancy agreement is used to make the rental relationship clearer for both tenants and landlords. It helps prevent misunderstandings by putting the most important conditions in writing before the rental period begins.
This blog post explains the main parts of a typical tenancy agreement in simple language, so tenants can better understand what they are signing.
The Basic Terms Come First
At the beginning of the agreement, the basic information is listed: who the landlord is, who the tenant is, the property address, rental period, monthly rent, utilities model, cleaning fee if applicable, and security deposit.
This section is important because it summarizes the key rental conditions in one place.
Before signing, tenants should carefully check their personal details, property address, rental dates, rent amount, deposit amount, utility arrangement, and any additional fees.
If something is incorrect, unclear, or different from what was agreed, it should be corrected before signing.
The Property Being Rented
The agreement identifies the property and describes what is included in the rental.
This may include the apartment, room, kitchen, bathroom, hallway, balcony, or other parts of the property, depending on the specific case.
Tenants should make sure that the property described in the agreement matches the property they reserved. If the property is shared, the agreement should make clear who is using the property and what areas are included.
Rent and Payment Schedule
The agreement states the monthly rent and explains when rent must be paid.
In most cases, rent is paid directly to the landlord according to the payment schedule in the agreement.
Payment deadlines should be taken seriously. Late rent may lead to additional costs, default interest, termination of the agreement, or other consequences depending on the agreement.
Tenants should always save payment confirmations. If needed, they can ask the landlord for written confirmation that rent was received.
Shared Responsibility When There Is More Than One Tenant
If more than one tenant signs or uses the property together, the agreement may state that all tenants are jointly responsible for rent and other costs.
This is very important for students or roommates.
It means that if one tenant does not pay their part, the landlord may still expect the full agreed amount from the tenants together.
Before signing a shared agreement, tenants should clearly agree between themselves how payments will be organized.
Utilities and Additional Costs
Utilities are separate from rent unless the agreement clearly says otherwise.
Utilities may include electricity, water, gas, heating, internet, garbage collection, building fees, TV subscription, common area costs, or other property-related costs.
Utilities may be charged in different ways. They may be based on actual consumption, calculated according to invoices, or charged as a fixed monthly amount.
If utilities are based on actual consumption, the tenant usually pays according to bills, meter readings, or calculations provided by the landlord.
If utilities are fixed, they are usually paid together with rent. However, tenants should still use energy responsibly. Excessive consumption or irresponsible use may create additional costs depending on the agreement.
Tenants should always read the utility section carefully and understand whether utilities are fixed, included, or calculated by consumption.
The Rental Period
The agreement is usually signed for a fixed period.
This means the start date and end date are clearly written in the agreement.
Tenants should not assume they can leave early without consequences. A fixed-term agreement normally means that the tenant is expected to stay for the agreed period.
If a tenant leaves before the agreed end date, the landlord may have the right to keep the security deposit or apply other consequences stated in the agreement.
Security Deposit
The security deposit is paid as protection for the landlord if the tenant does not follow the agreement, leaves early, causes damage, does not pay agreed costs, or has unresolved obligations at move-out.
After the rental period ends, the deposit should be returned within a reasonable time, depending on the final condition of the property and any final costs.
The deposit return may take longer if final utilities still need to be calculated or if damage needs to be repaired.
The deposit is not normally used as rent or utilities during the stay. Tenants should not assume that the last month’s rent can simply be paid from the deposit unless this is clearly agreed in writing.
The best way to protect your deposit is to pay on time, report problems early, keep the property clean, document the condition at move-in and move-out, and follow the agreement.
Move-in and Property Handover
At move-in, the landlord should hand over the property in a clean, tidy, habitable condition, with working appliances and basic equipment needed for normal use.
However, tenants should understand that landlords are not always required to provide consumable items such as cleaning products, toilet paper, or similar daily-use items.
Additional items such as kitchenware, tableware, or small household objects may depend on the specific property and what was agreed.
After receiving the property, tenants should check the condition carefully. If there are defects, appliance issues, missing items, cleanliness concerns, or visible damage, they should report them to the landlord as soon as possible, ideally within the agreed reporting period.
Photos, videos, and written messages are very important. They help show the condition of the property at the beginning of the stay and can prevent misunderstandings later.
Taking Care of the Property
During the stay, tenants are expected to use the property responsibly and with due care.
The property should be used for residential purposes and in line with the house rules.
Tenants are responsible for everyday care, such as keeping the property clean, ventilating properly, using appliances responsibly, replacing small regular-use items where applicable, and reporting problems early.
If an appliance that is part of the basic equipment stops working, the tenant should inform the landlord immediately.
The landlord is usually responsible for repairs or replacement when the problem is caused by age, normal use, or technical fault. However, if damage is caused by improper use, negligence, or the tenant’s actions, the tenant may be responsible for the cost.
Cleaning, Decoration, and Wall Damage
Tenants are expected to keep the property clean and orderly throughout the stay, not only before move-out.
Tenants should not bring in or install additional furniture without the landlord’s consent. They should also avoid sticking, nailing, drilling, or attaching objects to walls if this may leave marks or cause damage.
This is especially important for posters, shelves, hooks, LED strips, tape, and wall decorations.
Even small marks can create cleaning, repainting, or repair costs at move-out.
If the property is not maintained properly, the landlord may have the right to arrange cleaning at the tenant’s expense, depending on the agreement.
Guests, Overnight Stays, and Subletting
Only the people listed in the tenancy agreement are officially allowed to live in the property.
If a tenant wants to have someone stay overnight, invite a guest for a sleepover, or have someone stay longer than a short visit, they should ask the landlord in advance.
Some properties may have specific rules about guests, overnight stays, maximum number of people, or visitor limits. This information may also be stated in the property listing, house rules, or tenancy agreement.
Tenants should not assume that guests are automatically allowed, especially for overnight stays.
Subletting is not allowed without the landlord’s written consent. This means tenants cannot rent the property, room, bed, or any part of the property to someone else.
Tenants should also not use the property for short-term rental, commercial use, parties, events, or group gatherings unless this is clearly allowed in writing.
Inspections and Privacy
The landlord or an authorized person may need to inspect the property during the rental period.
For normal situations, this should be announced in advance and handled respectfully.
In urgent situations, such as fire, flood, water leak, gas risk, or serious safety concerns, access may be needed immediately.
Tenants should cooperate with reasonable inspections, while landlords should respect the tenant’s privacy and follow the notice rules stated in the agreement.
House Rules, Noise, Parties, Smoking, and Safety
Tenants must respect the house rules of the property and building.
This includes being considerate toward neighbors, roommates, shared spaces, and common areas.
Parties and group gatherings are usually not allowed unless expressly approved. Tenants should respect quiet hours, especially during the night.
Smoking inside the property is usually not allowed unless clearly stated otherwise. The use or possession of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
Breaking serious house rules may lead to consequences such as warnings, termination of the agreement, deposit deductions, or other actions depending on the agreement.
For tenants, the message is simple: treat the property as your home, but remember that it is also part of a building where other people live.
Emergencies
In emergency situations such as fire, flood, water damage, gas problems, or other serious risks, tenants must react immediately to protect people and property.
This may include contacting emergency services, turning off water or electricity if safe and appropriate, and informing the landlord as soon as possible.
Tenants should not wait until the next day if the situation is urgent.
Move-out and Departure
Before leaving the property, tenants should inform the landlord of the departure date and time according to the notice period in the agreement.
At move-out, tenants should remove all personal belongings, empty the fridge, take out garbage, clean the property, return keys and access items, and leave the property in the agreed condition.
The landlord or an authorized person may inspect the property after the tenant leaves. Both sides may document the final condition of the property, appliances, furniture, equipment, and meter readings.
A good move-out process should include cleaning, returning keys, checking meters, documenting the condition, and keeping written communication about any open issues.
Early Termination
A fixed-term tenancy agreement normally ends on the agreed end date.
If the tenant wants to leave earlier, there may be financial consequences. In many cases, early termination by the tenant may allow the landlord to keep the deposit, depending on the agreement.
The landlord may also have the right to terminate the agreement if the tenant seriously breaks the rules, does not pay rent or other costs, sublets without permission, causes serious damage, or repeatedly violates the agreement.
This is why tenants should think carefully before signing a fixed-term lease and should communicate early if they are facing a serious problem.
Croatian Version and Croatian Law
Many tenancy agreements in Croatia are bilingual, with Croatian and English text.
The English version helps international tenants understand the agreement. However, the Croatian version is usually the legally authoritative version if there is a misunderstanding.
The agreement is governed by Croatian law.
For international tenants, this is important. Before signing, tenants should ask questions if something is unclear and make sure they understand the main obligations.
Final Advice for Tenants
Before signing your tenancy agreement, read it carefully from beginning to end.
Check the rent, deposit, utilities, dates, payment schedule, house rules, move-in process, move-out process, and termination rules.
Ask questions before signing, not after a problem happens.
Once you move in, document the property, report issues early, keep the property clean, respect neighbors, pay on time, save written records, and communicate calmly with the landlord.
A tenancy agreement is not there to make the rental process complicated. It is there to make expectations clear.
When tenants understand the agreement and follow it responsibly, the rental experience becomes smoother, safer, and more predictable for everyone involved.