Flat without a deposit – how to find one on the rental market?

People looking for a flat to rent must expect that most landlords will want them to pay a deposit. This is understandable, as it is meant to protect their interests. However, raising the required sum can sometimes be problematic, especially if it equals several months' rent. Is it possible to rent a flat without a deposit? Where can you find one? Read on.

Deposit – the standard when renting a flat?

On the market for flats to rent, a deposit is standard. If you browse the listings, you will see that most of them mention the need to pay a deposit. Only the amount differs. It is usually equal to one month's rent (the base rent), but for premium properties it can be much more.

The function of the deposit is clear – it is meant to protect the landlord's interests. The need to pay "extra money", which is to be returned if the tenant meets certain conditions, is also quite understandable.

Most often the deposit will not be returned if the tenant:

• damages the property or its furnishings,
• grossly neglects the flat – for example, makes it so dirty that it requires professional cleaning,
• moves out without informing the landlord and does not pay the last month's rent,
• is responsible for equipment going missing from the property, for example household appliances.

By handing their own flat over for use by another person, a landlord takes a big risk. Most often they do not know the person who will live in their property. They cannot therefore be sure that the tenant will not damage the flat or that they will pay the rent on time.

Unfortunately, almost everyone has heard of abuses on the rental market. Photos of properties that tenants have trashed or stripped of their furnishings circulate on the internet from time to time. Given such situations, the need to pay a deposit should not be surprising.

Unfortunately, harmful practices also occur on the landlords' side. Some landlords refuse to return the deposit even though the tenant looked after the property and caused no damage to it. When looking for a flat to rent, you should therefore be careful.

Flat without a deposit – is it possible?

The deposit is meant to secure the interests of the landlord, that is, the person letting the flat. But what about the tenant's interests? People looking for a place to live also want to feel safe.

If you are interested in studio flats to rent and do not want to or cannot pay a deposit, you have some options. First of all, it is worth looking at the listings of estate agencies that act as intermediaries between landlords and tenants.

A professionally drawn-up tenancy agreement and the knowledge that there is a third party between the owner of the flat and the person who will live in it secure the interests of both sides.

This is a favourable situation not only for the tenant, but also for the landlord. In the event of any problems, for example with paying the rent on time, the owner can count on the agent's support. The tenant, in turn, does not need to worry about the rent – they are not exposed to a sudden rent increase.

A detailed tenancy agreement drawn up by an estate agency covers all potentially contentious issues and is the basis for any claims between the parties.

Handover protocol – why is it so important?

The deposit paid to the landlord is above all meant to protect their interests if the flat or its furnishings were to be damaged. A handover protocol should always be attached to the tenancy agreement. It is an extremely important document that enables the landlord and the tenant to reach agreement on disputed matters.

It is worth drawing one up regardless of whether renting the flat involves paying a deposit or not. If, however, the parties want to waive such a payment, the handover protocol is absolutely necessary. What is it?

It is a document containing a detailed description of the property together with the furnishings in it. It includes, among other things, the following information:

• the number of rooms with a detailed description,
• an inventory of all the furnishings (furniture, household appliances, devices, accessories),
• the type of finish and its condition (for example a wooden floor in need of refinishing, ceramic tiles, wall panelling),
• a description of any defects known at the time of signing the agreement (for example scratched floor panels, a damaged cupboard door, a broken lampshade).

The last point is particularly important for the tenant. If any damage is recorded in the protocol, the landlord will not be entitled to demand that the tenant pay for repairing it.

The inspection of the property and its description should be carried out in the presence of both parties to the agreement. This way they will avoid misunderstandings and mutual grievances. It is also an effective way of doing without a deposit, because the interests of both sides are secured.