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Renting a home abroad: dealing with a landlord in another language

When you move for a job, a course or family, the first task is finding a home, and it usually happens in the local language: listing, messages, calls, contract. Renting without the language is possible; translation carries most of the writing and talking. But money and signatures are involved, so you need to know where to trust translation and where to ask for confirmation.

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Reading the listing

Rental listings use their own abbreviations in every country. Is the rent on its own or with heating, water and service charges included; how many months' deposit; furnished or not; how many rooms (in some countries the living room counts as one) — these are the most important lines and the easiest to muddle in translation.

After translating, look up any abbreviation you're unsure of, or ask the landlord: “Does the rent include heating and service charges?” Asking for the total monthly payment as a single figure, in writing, is the safest way.

Your first message to the landlord

The first message should be short, polite and informative. Landlords get many messages; a tidy one stands out:

  • Introduce yourself in one sentence: who you are, why you're moving, how many people.
  • Give the move-in date and how long you plan to stay.
  • Offer times when you can view the flat.
  • Ask which documents they need: proof of income, employment contract, ID.
  • Use the formal form of address; in many languages a landlord expects it.

Viewing by video call

If you're not in the country yet, ask for a video-call viewing. Ask to be shown: the view from the windows, water flow in the bathroom and kitchen, the heaters, any damp on the walls, the building entrance.

Prepare your questions in short sentences beforehand and ask them one by one. A video viewing is not a reason to send money unseen; see the scam warnings below.

The contract: read it translated, confirm before signing

Translate the lease with your camera or as text and read it from start to finish. Translation gives you the general meaning, but in legal text a single word (notice period, deposit return, repair obligations) can make a real difference.

Check these clauses in particular and ask in writing about anything you're unsure of:

  • The term of the lease and what happens if you leave early (notice period).
  • The deposit: amount, where it is held and when it is returned.
  • How rent increases work.
  • Which costs you pay and which the landlord pays.
  • The condition at handover: a check-in report and photos.

Watch out for scams

People looking for a home in a foreign country are a favourite target. Stop if you see any of these:

  • The landlord asks for a holding fee or deposit before showing the flat.
  • They say “I'm abroad, I'll post you the keys”.
  • The rent is far below similar flats in the area.
  • They want payment through a money transfer service or crypto, not to a bank account.
  • They rush you: “pay today or I'll give it to someone else”.

After you move in

The messages don't stop once you have the keys: reporting repairs, booking a plumber, meeting the neighbours, notices from the building manager. When reporting a problem, keep it short and attach a photo: “The kitchen tap is dripping, photo attached. When can someone come?” A photo says the same thing in every language.

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