Apartment guarantee:
What international students need to know
When you rent an apartment in Romania, you always have to pay a security deposit.
It is an amount of money required by the owner at the beginning of the contract as a security measure.
If you're an international student, here's everything you need to know about this guarantee: what it is, why it's required, when you can lose it and how to get it back.
What is the guarantee?
The deposit is a sum of money, usually the equivalent of one or two months’ rent, that you pay when you sign the contract.
It’s not a lost fee — it’s refundable at the end, if all is well.
This amount covers any damages caused to the apartment or unpaid bills.
Why do owners ask for a guarantee?
And under what circumstances can you lose it?
Leaving earlier than the contract stipulates
Most contracts stipulate that if you don't respect the established period, you lose the guarantee. In Romania, if you signed for 6 or 12 months, you have to pay until the end — otherwise, the guarantee is not returned.
Damages in the apartment
Sometimes tenants leave their apartment damaged without informing or paying. The guarantee covers such problems, whether they are accidents or intentional damage.
Unpaid bills
Utility bills in Romania sometimes come with a delay of 1–2 months. So there will always be a few bills after you leave that you will have to pay. That becomes a problem, especially in the winter when costs are higher. Unfortunately, some tenants refuse to pay after they leave.
How do you get your guarantee back?
To get your money back:
Return the apartment clean and in the same condition as when you first arrived
Pay all bills corresponding to your stay.
Respect the contract, including the rental period.
Useful tips – so you don't have any surprises
Take pictures at the beginning of your stay, with any existing problems. We make a video at check-in and check-out, but it's good to have your proof too.
Read the contract carefully. It's normal to not know how things work in Romania, but the contract period is very important.
Listen to our recommendations. We suggest periods or options for your benefit, from experience. Sometimes, if you ignore the advice, the situation doesn't end as you hoped.
Conclusion
The guarantee is not a loss, but a protection for the owner and a commitment of seriousness for the tenant.
We carefully select the apartments and owners we work with.
We are with you throughout your stay — including when it comes time to recover your guarantee.
