Know what you will pay, and what it is like to live there, before you rent.
Rent is the smallest part of your first payment. Find the real move-in cost, see what the listing already tells you, and know what to ask before you pay a deposit.
What you need on the day you move in
Most people plan only for the rent and get surprised by other costs. Enter the numbers from a listing to see your full first payment, and how much of it you get back.
₹18,000
That is ₹54,000
₹2,000
That is ₹18,000. Enter 0 if the owner lists it directly
The months you agree to stay
Flat or PG: what to check
People choose them for very different reasons. Here is what matters for each. It also shows if the listing already has the answer, or if you must ask at the visit.
Renting a flat
- Rent, deposit and maintenanceOn the listing
- Whether brokerage applies, and how muchOn the listing
- Lock-in period and minimum leaseOn the listing
- Who the owner will rent to: families, bachelors or anyoneOn the listing
- Furnishing, and whether pets are allowedOn the listing
- Water supply hours and power backupAsk at the visit
- Who pays for repairs, and how quickly they happenAsk at the visit
- How much notice either side must give to end itAsk at the visit
Choosing a PG or co-living
- Single, double or shared roomsOn the listing
- Men, women, or anyoneOn the listing
- Whether meals are included, veg or non-vegOn the listing
- Attached bathroom or sharedOn the listing
- Notice period and gate closing timeOn the listing
- What the rent includes: electricity, Wi-Fi, laundryAsk at the visit
- Rules on guests and visitorsAsk at the visit
- Who else lives there, and how long they have stayedAsk at the visit
“On the listing” means the page shows it if the owner has given it. If it is missing, ask.
See it before you pay anything
Every property page has two ways to see the place for free, with no commitment. We save both requests, and a coordinator follows up.
Ask for a visit
If you can get there
Pick a date and leave your number. A coordinator arranges a time with the owner and confirms it with you.
Ask for a video
If you work far away, or are moving from another city
Someone records an unedited video of the place and sends it to you. It shows the rooms, the view and the road to it.
Never pay a token advance without seeing it
If anyone asks you to send money to “hold” a place you have not seen in person or on video, stop. It is the most common rental scam.
Both buttons are on every property page, next to the enquiry buttons.
Before you sign the agreement
This is general advice, not legal advice. But these six things prevent most problems tenants face.
Check stamp duty on a lease- The name on the agreement matches the owner's ID and property papers
- Rent, deposit, lock-in, notice period and any yearly increase are all written in
- The deposit refund terms say when it is returned, and what may be deducted
- A list of fittings and their condition, with photos, signed on the day you move in
- A receipt or a bank transfer for every payment. Never pay cash without a receipt
- Registering the agreement. A lease has its own stamp duty
Where next
Questions people ask
See all answersHow much do I need to move into a rented flat?
Usually much more than the rent. You pay the deposit, the first month's rent and maintenance, and any brokerage. A POP listing must show the brokerage amount. The Renting guide has a calculator. It shows how much of your first payment you get back and how much you spend.
How much is the deposit, and when do I get it back?
The listing shows the deposit amount. It is refunded when you move out, after the owner takes off any unpaid rent, bills or damage. Write the deposit amount and the refund terms in the rent agreement, and take a receipt when you pay.
Will there be a rent agreement?
Yes, ask for one. An 11-month agreement is the most common. An agreement longer than 11 months must be registered. If you claim HRA, ask the owner for rent receipts. Their PAN is needed if your rent is more than ₹1 lakh a year.
Someone wants a token advance to hold a flat I have not seen. Should I pay?
No. Paying to “hold” a place you have not seen, in person or on video, is the most common rental scam. See it first, get the terms in writing, and pay only with a receipt. If this happened through a listing on POP, tell us.
Do you list PGs, hostels and co-living spaces?
Yes, in their own category, separate from flats. You can search them the way people choose a bed: how many share a room, who it is for, whether meals are included, and the price per bed.
What should I check before I join a PG?
Check the rent per bed and what it includes (food, Wi-Fi, laundry, electricity), how many share a room, the gate closing time, visitor rules, the deposit and the notice period. Each PG page on POP shows these. Visit once before you pay, and check the CCTV and the security at the gate.