Condo move-in costs: what to ask beyond the advertised rent
Urban Hive · Content updated
Before reserving a condo, ask for an itemized written move-in total. The advertised monthly rent alone does not tell you the deposit, advance rent, utility charges, parking entitlement or building move-in fees. Confirm each item with the advertiser and the building where relevant.
Separate recurring charges from one-off payments
List the monthly rent, electricity, water, internet and parking separately from the security deposit, advance rent and moving charges. Ask who collects each payment, when it is due and how receipts are issued. Do not assume a common-area charge is included unless the agreement says so. Compare homes using the same cost categories rather than headline rent alone.
Deposits and advance rent need written terms
Ask what each payment covers, what happens if the tenancy does not proceed, and how deductions and refunds are assessed at move-out. Keep the written quote and the final agreement consistent. Deposit requirements vary by the actual arrangement and applicable rules; this guide does not state a universal legal amount or replace advice from a qualified professional.
Verify the person and the unit before transferring
Match the unit, viewing appointment and written agreement. Check the advertiser’s identity and authority to let the property, confirm the payment recipient independently and retain the payment evidence. A listing page or a platform account alone is not proof of ownership or an instruction to pay. If details conflict or payment is pressured, pause and ask for clarification.
Record the handover
Document meter readings, keys and access cards, the inventory and existing damage with dated photographs agreed by both parties. Ask how repairs, emergencies and move-out inspections are handled. Keep these records with the lease so later questions can be resolved from evidence, not memory. Reconfirm price and availability before making a decision: a recorded listing may have changed.
Common questions
Does the listed monthly rent include the deposit?
Do not assume it does. Ask for a separate written breakdown of the deposit, advance rent and every additional charge.
Does Urban Hive guarantee the price or payment recipient?
The listing reflects the advertiser’s recorded information. Independently confirm the current terms and the authorized recipient before paying.