Your Move-in Playbook

Most people jump straight to scrolling through listings. That is the wrong first step. Before you open any app, get these three things sorted: your timeline, your real budget, and what you will not compromise on.

Timeline

Start looking at least 3-4 weeks before your move-in date. If you are relocating from another city, do your research online first. Shortlist areas, compare rents, and narrow things down before you arrive. The goal is to have a clear plan so that when you land, you can visit a few places and close quickly instead of spending weeks figuring things out on the ground.

The real budget math

Your rent is not your cost. Here is what the move-in actually looks like:

If your rent is Rs 20,000, your actual move-in cost is closer to Rs 70,000-80,000. Most people do not plan for this. Factor it in early so it does not catch you off guard.

On brokerage: the standard in most cities is 15 days of rent. Do not let a broker push you beyond that. Some will try for a full month. Know the local norm and hold firm.

Choosing the wrong neighbourhood is probably the most expensive mistake you can make. Breaking a lease early usually means losing your deposit. So spend time on this step.

One rule that works everywhere: live within 20-30 minutes of your office or campus. Rush hour traffic in most Indian cities can turn a 5 km drive into a 40 minute ordeal. That extra rent for a closer place saves you real hours every week.

Questions to answer before you pick

• Where is my office or campus? (Pin it on Google Maps first. Everything else follows from this.)
• Do I need public transport access? (If you do not have a vehicle, this is non-negotiable.)
• Do I cook or eat out mostly? (Some areas have way more food options than others.)
• What is my monthly budget including everything, not just rent?

The process is roughly the same in most Indian cities. Here is what to expect, without the sugarcoating.

You are about to commit a significant chunk of your salary for the next 11-12 months. Spend 20 minutes going through these before saying yes.

• Water: Turn on taps in kitchen and bathroom. Ask about supply timings and backup during summer.
• Power: Ask if there is generator backup, what it covers, and what it costs per unit.
• Doors and windows: Open and close every single one. Check all locks.
• Walls and ceiling: Look for cracks, water stains (leakage from above), and paint peeling.
• Electrical: Test switches and sockets. Bring your phone charger and plug it in.
• Plumbing: Flush toilets. Check under sinks for leaks.
• Phone signal: Check reception in every room. Some buildings kill your signal.
• Lift and parking: How many lifts work? Is parking covered? Is there a dedicated spot?
• Security: Guards, CCTV, visitor process. Talk to the guard, not the landlord, for honest answers.
• Noise: Stand quietly for a minute. Traffic? Construction? Nearby temples or mosques?
• Ventilation: Open windows. Is there cross-ventilation? This matters a lot in summer.
• Nearby essentials: Grocery store, pharmacy, ATM within walking distance?
• The landlord: Try to find out what the landlord does for a living. If the rental income from your flat is their primary source of income, getting your deposit back can become a fight. This is one of those things people only learn the hard way.

Most tenants sign agreements without reading them. Then they lose Rs 15,000 to “painting charges” at move-out. Read everything. Push back where it matters.

What to look for in the agreement

• Lock-in period: Usually 3-6 months. If you leave before this, you lose your deposit.
• Rent escalation: Negotiate to 5% annually. 10% sounds small but compounds fast.
• Deposit refund: Get a date in writing. "Within 30 days of move-out" is fair.
• Repairs: Minor ones are usually yours. Major ones (plumbing, electrical) should be the landlord's.
• Notice period: Should be mutual. If they can ask you to leave in 1 month, you should be able to leave in 1 month too.
• Painting at move-out: Try to negotiate this out or cap the amount.
• HRA clause: If you are salaried and plan to claim HRA tax benefits, ask the landlord upfront if they will share their PAN card and provide rent receipts. Some landlords refuse, and you do not want to find that out after signing.

Things that should make you walk away

• "Pay token money before visiting." Legitimate landlords never ask for money before you see the place.
• Listings that look too good to be true. They are bait to get your number.
• "I am the owner" but they cannot show you a bill or document with their name.
• "Someone else is seeing it tomorrow, decide now." Classic pressure move.
• Cash-only deposit with no receipt.
• No proper agreement, just a verbal deal.

Day one essentials

• Take a video walkthrough of the entire flat. Every room, every wall. Timestamp it.
• Photograph any existing damage and send it to your landlord on WhatsApp immediately.
• Note down all meter readings: electricity, water, gas. Photo each one.
• Test every appliance that came with the flat: AC, geyser, washing machine.
• Get Wi-Fi booked. Installation usually takes 2-3 days.
• Complete police verification. Your landlord should initiate this.
• Join the society WhatsApp group. This is where you find electricians, maids, plumber contacts, everything.

What your monthly costs actually look like

Beyond rent, expect to spend an additional Rs 5,000-15,000 per month on electricity, maintenance, water, Wi-Fi, and cooking gas. In summer months, electricity alone can be Rs 4,000-8,000 if you are running ACs. The apartment that costs Rs 20,000 in rent really costs Rs 27,000-35,000 when you add everything up.

Rent, without the chaos.

Homeie is a verified rental platform where every apartment is visited in person and evaluated honestly. No middlemen, no fake listings.

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This guide is free to share. If it helped you, send it to someone who is also moving. That is the best compliment.