Photos: stock images and your rental anxiety
Renting your first apartment is like falling in love for the first time: exciting, emotional, slightly chaotic — and not always with a happy ending.
There’s so much to think about: contracts, deposits, agents, sketchy landlords, utility bills, mystery neighbors. It’s easy to miss something important. Or make a big mistake.
So here’s a real-world guide: 5 tips to help you rent your first apartment safely — without getting scammed, overcharged, or kicked out after a week.
1. Don’t trust the photos — ever
“It looked great online. Modern kitchen, big bed, clean walls. I got there — mold on the ceiling and a weird smell in the hallway.”
Rental photos are Tinder for apartments: flattering angles, filters, and just the right lighting.
That’s why you should never rent without a viewing.
Can’t go in person?
💡 Ask for a live video tour. Tell them to show the ceiling, switches, windows, water meters, doors. And yeah — the fridge too.
2. Ask about all the costs — rent is just the beginning
“It’s $500 a month… plus utilities, plus a deposit, plus the neighbor’s cat’s parking fee.”
Listings often show the base rent — but that’s only part of the story. Ask about:
– Average utility bills
– Wi-Fi (included or not?)
– Security deposit
– Last month’s rent
– Parking, building fees, etc.
🧾 Tip: Make a spreadsheet before signing. Know your full monthly cost.
3. No contract = no protection
“The landlord seemed nice and said we don’t need paperwork — just trust.”
One week later: “He wants me out. Says his niece is moving in.”
Sounds like a sitcom. It’s not. It’s just how renting without a contract ends — badly.
📄 Always have a written rental agreement, even if it’s basic. It should include:
– Rental term
– Deposit amount and return rules
– Apartment condition
– Exit terms (how much notice is needed)
And yes, take photos of everything when you move in.
4. Explore the area — not just the address
“The apartment was cute, but the street had more dogs than people. At night it felt… haunted.”
A place might look great on Google Maps — but what’s it like after dark?
🏙 Before signing anything, visit the area:
– Walk around in daylight and evening
– Look for shops, transport, ATMs
– Listen for noise, smell the air, check the vibe
– Bonus: Ask the neighbors something random just to get a feel for who lives there
5. Verify the owner or agent — don’t just “trust your gut”
“The ‘owner’ says he’s abroad but can send keys if I wire the deposit now.”
Classic scam.
If someone wants money before you’ve seen the apartment — it’s 99.9% fake.
Real landlords or agents don’t rush or push. And they’re fine with paperwork.
✅ On Xmetr, we add message templates for Telegram/Viber/WhatsApp — so the owner knows you came from us. That way, there’s a trace.
Quick checklist for first-time renters
- 🏠 Visit the apartment (or video tour it)
- 💰 Ask about all monthly costs
- 📄 Get a written contract
- 🧭 Walk around the neighborhood
- 👤 Check the landlord/agent’s identity
Renting your first place doesn’t have to be scary — just smart.
Avoid scams, ask questions, and don’t send money to strangers who say “I’ll mail the keys.”
🎯 Looking for real apartments with verified listings?
Check out Xmetr — no fake listings, no bots, no BS.