Expat Lease Checklist for Golf Course Extension Road

Quick Answer: Use a checklist and verify key facts in writing before you pay. For furnished homes, the inventory annexure (signed list + photos) matters as much as the lease. If a term affects money or daily life, make it unambiguous.

Key Takeaways

Verify the exact unit + inclusions before paying a full deposit.
Put money terms in writing: rent, deposit, notice, maintenance, repairs.
Use a signed inventory annexure with photos for furnished apartments.
Confirm move-in rules (timings, lift booking, gate passes).
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Apartment building exterior (representative image)

Furnished apartment living room (representative image)

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Step 1: before you pay anything (keep it safe)

Direct answer: Your risk is highest before you have seen the exact unit and before you have written confirmation of terms. If you must reserve a unit, keep it small, get a receipt, and make it contingent on a successful inspection and inventory sign-off.

Payment safety checklist

See the exact unit (not just the society) before paying a full deposit
If you pay a token amount, get a written receipt and what it reserves
Keep payments traceable when possible; avoid cash without receipts
Collect owner/agent details on paper (name, phone, address)
Keep a single folder with all confirmations (WhatsApp/email/PDF)

Watch Out

If someone pressures you to pay immediately or discourages a unit inspection, treat it as a risk signal.

Step 2: the lease terms expats should never leave vague

Direct answer: Most disputes come from ambiguity, not malice. If a term affects money or daily life, confirm it in writing in the lease or a signed annexure. If you cannot explain a term in one sentence, it is not clear enough.

Term	What to confirm (in writing)	Why it matters
Rent + due date	Amount, due date, late fee (if any)	Prevents confusion and friction
Security deposit	Amount, refund timeline, deduction rules	This is where most disputes happen
Notice period	Notice length for each side + how it is served	Makes exits predictable
Maintenance charges	Included in rent or separate; what it covers	Avoids surprise monthly costs
Repairs and servicing	Who pays for AC/appliance servicing and replacements	Furnished homes need clarity
Utilities	Electricity, water, gas, internet responsibility	Avoids finger-pointing
Inventory	Signed list + photos + replacement rules	Your protection on handover

Minimum lease clauses (copy/paste to ask for)

Deposit refund timeline (example: within X days after handover)
Deduction rules: what counts and how it is documented
Appliance servicing: who calls, who pays, what is "wear and tear"
Power backup: what load is supported inside the apartment
Move-out: cleaning expectations and final inspection process

Step 3: furnished inventory annexure (your best protection)

Direct answer: For expats, the inventory annexure is the single highest-value document. It should be signed at handover, include photos, and clearly state what is included, what is working, and who pays for what.

Inventory annexure essentials

Item list: appliance make/model where relevant (AC, fridge, washer, microwave)
Condition notes: "working", "minor scratch", "needs replacement"
Photo set: wide shots + closeups of existing marks
Counts: keys, remotes, access cards, parking stickers
Consumables: which are provided at handover (gas cylinder status, etc.)

Cost Saver

A 15-minute inventory walk-through prevents weeks of deposit disputes later.

Step 4: move-in and move-out process (gated society reality)

Direct answer: Many gated societies have move-in timing windows and elevator booking rules. Clarify these before you sign. It prevents last-minute chaos and hidden friction.

Move-in process to confirm

Move-in date/time window allowed by society
Lift booking process and any charges
Gate pass requirements for movers and large deliveries
Visitor/delivery rules: lobby pickup vs tower-door delivery
Handover checklist and meter readings (if applicable)

Deposits: what is "standard" and what is negotiable

Direct answer: Deposits are often quoted as "months of rent". The Model Tenancy Act, 2021 (a central model law) says a residential security deposit should not exceed two months' rent and should be refunded on taking over vacant possession (after deductions for tenant liabilities). Real-world practice can vary by city and landlord, so treat the deposit as negotiable and document refund rules clearly.

Reality Check

This is not legal advice. Lease and deposit practices vary by city, society, and landlord. Use the model law as a reference point and negotiate for clarity.

The cost sheet expats should ask for (before you decide)

Direct answer: Price surprises happen when you only compare rent. Ask for a simple cost sheet and keep everything written down. Even if you are not negotiating hard, you want predictability: what you pay now, what you pay monthly, and what you pay on exit.

Cost line item	Ask for (in writing)	Why it matters
Base rent	Monthly rent + due date	Your core recurring cost
Security deposit	Amount + refund timeline + deduction rules	Biggest cash lock-up risk
Maintenance	Included in rent or separate	Common surprise for expats
Utilities	Electricity/water/gas billing responsibility	Avoids handover confusion
Internet	Provider options + installation lead time	You may need it day 1 for work
Servicing	AC/appliance servicing responsibility	Furnished homes need clarity
Move-in/out	Lift booking rules + any society charges	Avoid last-minute friction

Two lines that prevent most disputes (copy/paste)

Deposit refund: timeline + deduction method (photos, invoice proofs, signatures)
Repairs/servicing: who pays for appliance servicing vs replacement

Tenant verification (Haryana)

Direct answer: Some landlords and societies request tenant verification as part of onboarding. Use the official Haryana Police portal for the latest workflow because details can change.

Tenant verification basics (practical)

Ask early if verification is required (do not discover it on move-in day)
Use official portals or official police instructions only
Keep your document scans in one folder (passport, visa, photos)

Handover day checklist (15 minutes that protects your deposit)

Direct answer: The handover day is where expats win or lose time. Do a fast, structured walkthrough, take photos, and get signatures on the inventory annexure. If something is broken, capture it in writing before you move your suitcase in.

Handover day checklist

Photos: wide shots of every room + closeups of existing marks
Keys/remotes/cards: count them and record it (gate, lift, parking, mailbox)
Appliances: run AC, geyser, fridge, washer; note any issues immediately
Furniture: check stability, stains, and any missing items vs the inventory list
Move-in rules: confirm lift booking and mover entry so you are not blocked at the gate

Watch Out

If the owner/agent says "we will fix it later", write the fix list with a date and keep it in the same folder as your lease and inventory annexure.

Negotiation (safe defaults for first-time expats)

Direct answer: Negotiate on clarity and predictability first, then on price. Your goal is a calm first year, not a "win" in negotiation. Focus on written terms: deposit refund, servicing responsibility, and a clean inventory list.

Negotiation checklist (expat-first)

Ask for a signed inventory list and photo handover
Confirm AC/appliance servicing responsibility
Confirm deposit refund timeline and deduction rules
Confirm notice period and early-exit rules
Ask for a written fix list with dates before you pay full deposit

Brokerage and intermediaries (keep it explicit)

Direct answer: Many expats use an agent or an intermediary. That is fine, but keep money terms explicit: who is being paid, what they are being paid for, and when. If the fee is not written down, it will be disputed later.

Brokerage checklist

Get an invoice/receipt that names the payer and the service provider
Confirm what the fee covers (viewing, negotiation, paperwork, move-in support)
Confirm whether renewal has any separate fee (if applicable)
Avoid paying large cash amounts without receipts

Renewal and exit planning (avoid last-month panic)

Direct answer: Expats often move for work reasons, so plan exits early. The easiest move-outs happen when the notice period, handover checklist, and deposit refund steps are clear from day 1.

Exit planning checklist

Notice period: confirm how it is served (email/letter) and to whom
Final inspection: what "acceptable condition" means (photos and written notes)
Cleaning expectations: what is expected and who pays
Deposit refund: timeline, method, and deduction proof requirements
Utility closures: what you must settle before handover

FAQs

Is a 2-month security deposit standard?

Direct answer: Many rentals quote deposits in months of rent. The Model Tenancy Act, 2021 says residential deposits should not exceed two months' rent, but real-world practice varies. Treat the deposit as negotiable and confirm refund rules in writing.

Should I sign before seeing the exact unit?

Direct answer: Avoid it when possible. If you must reserve, keep payments small, get a written receipt, and make it contingent on inspection and inventory sign-off at handover.

What if the listing says fully furnished but an item is missing?

Direct answer: Use a written inventory list in the lease/annexure and take photos during handover. If an appliance is essential, ensure it is explicitly listed.

What should I do if someone asks for OTP or screen sharing?

Direct answer: Do not share OTPs and do not install remote-access apps. Use RBI guidance and report suspected fraud through official channels.

What if I need to leave early due to a job transfer?

Direct answer: Plan this at signing time, not at exit time. Confirm the notice period, early-exit rules (if any), and how the deposit is handled. If the owner agrees to flexibility, get it in writing.

How do I get a shortlist faster?

Direct answer: Send a structured request: move-in date, budget range, lease length, office location, family size, and 3 must-haves.

Want a shortlist faster? (copy/paste template)

Direct answer: Copy/paste this and fill in the blanks. It reduces back-and-forth and improves matching.

Item	Your answer
Move-in date	___
Lease length	___ months
Family size	___
Budget range	INR ___ to ___
Office location	___
School (if any)	___
Must-haves	example: quiet bedroom, strong backup, pet-friendly

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