PORTUGAL | Accommodation | Contract

Rental contract

Renting a room or an apartment does not necessarily imply that a contract or lease is established. This is a better and safer option, but not always practised. If you find a place to rent through an estate agency, a contract will be established.

Rent doesn’t include utility expenses, such as electricity, gas, water, building administration and maintenance fees or communications (phone, Internet). Rent is paid on a monthly basis at the beginning of each month. Usually, landlords request payment of the first and last months' rent at the beginning of a rental period or contract. In other words, the first payment includes two months' rent. In some cases, it is required to pay a deposit that will be reimbursed at the end of a rental period or contract, given that there are no damages to the apartment.

Rental conditions

In most cases, apartments up for rent are furnished with the essentials, kitchen appliances, table and chairs, bed, sofas, etc. If an apartment is not furnished, rent will be cheaper.

The costs of building administration and maintenance expenses are usually paid by the tenant if a rental contract has been established. If there is no rental contract, the landlord will pay for these expenses. These expenses may be paid on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis. Utility expenses including water, electricity and gas are paid by the tenant on a monthly basis.