The Deposit, the Cleaning Fee and Other Small Costs of Short Stays
On the first morning they counted what they had handed over, and it was more than they had planned for.
Picture a couple named Burt and Alice, 70 and 68. They signed a six-month rental in a small city abroad. The rent was US$900 a month. On the first morning they counted what they had handed over, and it was more than they had planned for.
They made a list on the back of the lease. This is what rentals often ask. Rules differ from country to country, so Alice put a question mark beside anything she was unsure about.
| Item | What is often asked | On US$900 rent |
|---|---|---|
| First month's rent | Paid in advance | US$900 |
| Deposit | 1 to 2 months | US$900 to US$1,800 |
| Deposit without a local guarantor | In some countries, 2 to 3 months | US$1,800 to US$2,700 |
| Cleaning fee on a short stay | A flat amount (illustration) | US$50 to US$150 |
| Utilities and internet | Often charged separately | Ask before booking |
| Agent fee | Usually the landlord pays; some agents who work with foreigners charge a finder's fee | Ask before booking |
Their first payment came to US$900 for the month, US$900 for the deposit and US$50 for cleaning. That is US$1,850. If the deposit had been two months and the cleaning fee US$150, it would have been US$2,850.
Six months later they cleaned the apartment top to bottom. The landlord was traveling and could not come to look. He wrote that he would return the deposit when he got back. It arrived five weeks later, with an apology.
"We could have asked him one thing on day one," Alice said. "When does it come back, and who checks?"
Burt had taken photos of every room on the first day. He sent them beside new ones, and the landlord agreed they matched. A dated set of photographs and a written date for the refund are small things that may save weeks of waiting.
You could…
- Ask in writing what the deposit covers and when it returns.
- Take dated photos of every room on the first day, and send them to the landlord.
- Ask what the cleaning fee covers and whether utilities and internet are included.
- Ask for a receipt for every payment, even a small one.
What small cost surprised you on your first rental abroad? Post it below. A reader packing a list of questions could add yours.
Figures are estimates for planning, based on public data.
Sources: rental guides for people living abroad in several countries. The US$900 rent and the cleaning fee are illustrations. Rules on deposits and fees differ by country and by landlord.
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