At move-in, you usually have 48 hours to report:

• existing damage

• missing items

• issues with cleanliness, equipment, or other property conditions

If something is not reported within that period and is only discovered at move-out, it may be considered to have happened during your stay.

This means:

• the landlord may treat it as tenant-caused damage

• the repair or replacement cost may be deducted from your deposit

That is why it is very important to:

• inspect the property carefully at move-in

• take photos and report all issues within the allowed time frame

• keep a copy of everything you reported, such as an email or form confirmation

If you lose the keys or damage the lock:

• you must inform the landlord immediately,

• the landlord may need to change the cylinder and keys for security reasons,

• the cost of new keys and lock is usually your responsibility.

If you do not pay directly, these costs can be deducted from your deposit at the end of the tenancy.

The landlord pays for:

• repairs of major installations and appliances (heating system, electrical system, fridge, washing machine, serious plumbing issues), unless the problem is clearly caused by improper use.

The tenant pays for:

• damage caused by misuse, negligence or accidents

• small, routine items like light bulbs, batteries, minor drain cleaning if blocked by hair or food.

If something stops working:

1. inform the landlord as soon as possible.

2. explain what happened and when.

3. do not try risky DIY repairs that could make things worse.

Normal wear and tear is the gradual, expected change that happens with responsible use over time, for example:

• slightly worn chair legs,

• minor marks on the floor or walls,

• small signs of usage on appliances.

Damage is something caused by negligence, misuse or accidents, such as:

• broken furniture,

• large holes or many screw marks in walls,

• deep stains on mattresses, sofas or carpets,

• mold caused by not ventilating and not cleaning,

• broken windows, doors, or locks.

In short:

• Ventilate regularly, even in winter (short, strong airing).

• Heat rooms to a reasonable temperature, especially those you use or where you store things.

• Dry clothes carefully and ventilate more when you do. Do not dry clothes on radiators.

• Clean regularly and don’t ignore small spots.

• Report serious or persistent issues early, with photos.

By doing this, you:

• protect your health,

• protect the property of the landlord,

• protect your deposit,

• and make your stay more comfortable and problem-free.

HomeInZagreb and landlords appreciate tenants who take mould and humidity seriously and cooperate to prevent damage. If you are ever unsure, ask us – we are happy to advise.

This is usually a bad idea.

A room that is:

• never heated
• never ventilated
• and perhaps contains furniture or clothes
• becomes a perfect place for mould.

Even if you use only part of the apartment, all rooms need some ventilation, and in cold months at least minimal heating, to avoid serious humidity problems.

Some signs of excessive humidity:

• water drops on the inside of windows for long periods,

• walls feeling cold and damp to the touch,

• a strong, musty smell,

• clothes and bedding feeling slightly wet or never fully dry,

• small black/grey spots appearing in corners or around window frames.

If you notice any of these regularly, you should:

• ventilate more often and more intensively,

• avoid drying clothes in that room,

• heat the room properly in cold weather,

• clean small spots immediately.

Yes.

If mould and humidity damage are clearly related to lack of ventilation and cleaning during your stay, the landlord can:

• charge cleaning and repainting costs,

• charge for damaged furniture, curtains, mattresses or other items,

• deduct these costs from your security deposit.

Examples of tenant-related damage:

• thick mould behind wardrobes pressed tightly to outside walls,

• heavy mould in bathroom where there is a window that was almost never opened,

• windows and frames black with mould and never cleaned,

• rotten silicone and grout due to months of standing water and no cleaning.

Act early:

1. Ventilate more – especially the room where mould appears.

2. Clean the affected area with appropriate cleaning products (there are specific anti-mould sprays in supermarkets and drugstores).

3. Move furniture slightly away from the wall if mould is behind it.

4. Check your habits – drying clothes, closed windows, lack of heating.

If:

• the mould comes back quickly,

• spreads despite better ventilation, or

• seems to be connected to a leak (wet patches, peeling paint, dripping),

then:

• take clear photos,

• inform the landlord in writing,

• describe since when you noticed it and what you already tried.

Early information makes it easier to find the real cause.

It depends:

• Small spots in bathroom, around windows, corners that appear due to daily living (steam, condensation) and lack of ventilation

Tenants are expected to clean these quickly using normal household cleaning products (and to improve ventilation habits).

• Large, persistent mould that keeps returning even when you ventilate and clean properly

You should report this to the landlord with photos. If it is caused by a structural problem, the landlord is usually responsible for repairs.

If you ignore small mould spots and let them grow for months, this is usually considered negligence, and cleaning/repair costs can be deducted from the deposit.

Bathrooms are high-risk areas for mould. After a shower:

• If there is a window, open it fully for 5–10 minutes.

• If there is an exhaust fan, let it run for a while.

• Wipe excess water from tiles, shower walls and the floor if it stays very wet.

• Don’t keep wet towels piled up in the bathroom for days – they release a lot of moisture.

A bathroom that stays wet and unventilated almost always develops mould on ceilings, corners and silicone joints.

Check out the DAMAGE section

Check out the MOULD section