Long-Term Apartment Rental in Cyprus: What to Check Before Signing the Contract

A good-looking apartment in photographs does not guarantee a quiet year of renting. In Cyprus, many disputes arise not from the property itself, but from details the parties agreed verbally and forgot to put in writing. Who pays for minor repairs? Are pets allowed? Will the deposit be returned if the tenant leaves early? These questions are best settled before any money changes hands, especially when a long-term apartment rental in Cyprus is being arranged for the first time.

Start by checking the apartment and the person letting it

Before signing anything, make sure the person accepting payment is entitled to dispose of the property. If a representative is handling negotiations, ask on what basis they act. At the same time, verify the address, the apartment number, the parking space, the storage room and everything actually included in the rent. Sometimes a listing mentions parking, and at the viewing it turns out the space is shared between several residents.

It is worth viewing the apartment at more than one time of day. Check the water pressure, the boiler, the air conditioners, the windows, the blinds and the appliances. In coastal districts humidity deserves separate attention. Mould in the corners, blistered paint or a damp smell after the windows have been closed may mean that in winter you will need regular ventilation and a dehumidifier.

What must be fixed in the contract

The contract should answer simple everyday questions. The more precisely they are described, the fewer reasons to argue after moving in. Make sure to check:

• the rental term, the start date and the renewal conditions
• the monthly amount and the payment date
• the deposit, the cases in which it is withheld and the deadline for its return
• who pays for electricity, water, internet and the common expenses of the complex
• who is responsible for repairing air conditioners, appliances and plumbing
• the option of early termination and the notice period for the owner

From 1 January 2026, documents and contracts signed in Cyprus after that date are not subject to stamp duty. But the removal of the duty does not make a written contract any less important. On the contrary, it is the contract that shows what the parties actually agreed.

Do not hand over the deposit without recording the condition of the property

Before receiving the keys, it is convenient to draw up a short handover report, or at least a photo archive. Record scratches on the furniture, chipped tiles, marks on the walls, the condition of the mattresses and appliances. Take the photographs on the day you move in and keep them together with the correspondence. This is ordinary insurance in case the owner treats old damage as new a year later.

It is also worth understanding the full monthly budget in advance. In the hot months air conditioning accounts for a noticeable share of the costs. Complexes with a pool, security, a lift and landscaped grounds often charge separate common expenses. Comparing two apartments by the rental rate alone is therefore not quite accurate.

The right sequence is simple: viewing, checking the terms, a written contract, recording the condition, then payment and keys. This approach does not eliminate everyday questions entirely. But most unpleasant surprises become visible before the move.