The contract will tell you the rent due date (for example, the 1st, 5th or 10th of the month).

Typically:

• the first rent payment for the period starting on the start rent date is due on or before that due date.

• In many cases, the first rent is paid before or at the beginning of the first month, so rent is paid in advance for the period that is starting.

Example:

• Start rent date: September 1

• Rent due date: every 1st of the month

• First rent for September is due on or before September 1.

Always follow the exact rule written in your Tenancy Agreement.

Check out the MOVE IN section

The total rent for the property usually stays the same, regardless of how you split it among yourselves.

• If several tenants sign the contract, they are usually jointly responsible for the full rent amount, not just their “share”.
• How you divide the payments between roommates is a private arrangement between you, but it does not change your joint responsibility toward the landlord.

Important:

If one tenant leaves the property before the contract expiration, the remaining tenants are still responsible for covering the full rent amount for the property, unless the landlord agrees in writing to change the contract or to accept a new tenant as a replacement.

This means:

• the landlord can still request the full monthly rent,
• the remaining tenants must arrange between themselves how to cover the amount, and/or
• they may, with landlord and agency approval, find a replacement tenant to share the rent.

Practical tips:

• Check the rent amount, due date and what is included before signing.

• Set a reminder a few days before each due date.

• Keep proof of every payment.

• If you expect a delay, inform the landlord early and try to agree on a short-term solution.

• Never assume “the deposit will cover it” unless this is clearly agreed in writing.

The total rent for the property usually stays the same, regardless of how you split it among yourselves.

• If several tenants sign the contract, they are usually jointly responsible for the full rent amount.

• How you divide the payments between roommates is a private arrangement between you.

Make sure you have a clear agreement among yourselves about who pays how much and when to avoid internal conflicts.

If you extend your tenancy (for example, stay for another semester or another year):

• the landlord may offer the same rent or

• propose a new rent amount in a new contract or extension agreement.

Extensions are treated like a new agreement in many cases, so:

• rent conditions (amount, due date) and

• HomeInZagreb service fee for the extension

will be communicated to you before you confirm the extension.

Rent changes depend on what is written in your Tenancy Agreement.

Some contracts:

• fix the rent for the entire duration (no increases),

• include annual indexation (adjustments based on inflation/index), or

• allow a rent increase after a certain period (e.g. at renewal), with written notice.

If there is no clause allowing rent increases during the fixed term, the rent usually stays the same until the end of that period, unless you and the landlord agree in writing to change it.

If you leave earlier than the date in the contract:

• you normally remain responsible for rent until the end of the fixed period, unless:

  • the landlord agrees in writing to end the contract earlier, or

  • a new tenant is found and accepted under the conditions agreed with the landlord.

Early departure without agreement can be considered a breach of contract and may lead to:

• the landlord keeping part or all of your deposit, and

• a request to pay the remaining rent for the agreed period.

Always check the termination / early exit section of your contract before making decisions.

As a rule: No.

• The deposit is not a prepayment of rent.

• You must continue to pay monthly rent as usual until the end of your tenancy.

Only if there is a clear written agreement with the landlord (signed or confirmed in writing) that the deposit will be used as payment for the last month’s rent can this be done. Without such a written agreement, skipping the last rent payment and “using the deposit” is considered unpaid rent.

If you pay rent late, the landlord may:

• charge statutory default interest (extra amount) for each day of delay, and

• if you are seriously or repeatedly late (for example, more than 15 days, depending on the contract), start the process to cancel/terminate the tenancy agreement.

In such a case, the landlord may also:

• use your security deposit to cover unpaid rent and related costs, and

• request that you move out earlier than planned.

Because of this, rent must always be treated as a top priority payment.

If your move-in or move-out date is in the middle of a month:

• some contracts use a pro-rata calculation (you pay only for the exact number of days),

• others may charge the full month if most of the month is used.

Your Tenancy Agreement or offer should explain how partial months are handled. If it’s not clear, ask the landlord or the agency before signing.

Usually, yes. The standard process is:

1. You pay the HomeInZagreb service fee and security deposit according to the offer.

2. You pay the first month’s rent to the landlord before or at the start of the tenancy (exact date is in the contract).

3. You then pay rent every month by the agreed due date.

Always check your offer and contract to know exactly when the first rent payment is due.