25 Questions to Ask a Landlord Before Renting a Flat in Bangladesh

Finding a flat in Dhaka or Chattogram often happens in a rush. You spot a to-let sign, the caretaker shows you around for ten minutes, the landlord mentions the rent, and you feel pressure to pay an advance before someone else does. Then, after moving in, you discover the service charge is higher than you thought, the water supply stops every afternoon, gas pressure is weak and the landlord expects two months' notice you never agreed to. Asking the right questions before renting a flat prevents most of these surprises.

This guide lists 25 practical questions to ask a landlord in Bangladesh, grouped by topic: money, utilities, the building, rules, the agreement and moving out. For each one, we explain why it matters and what a good answer looks like. Print the list or keep it on your phone when you go for viewings.

Before You Start: How to Ask

Most landlords are reasonable people who also want a reliable, long-term tenant. Ask politely and in a matter-of-fact way; you are simply gathering information both sides need. It helps to:

• Visit at least once in the daytime and once in the evening if possible, to see light, noise and water supply at different times.
• Talk to the landlord directly, not only the caretaker or a broker.
• Write the answers down, and later ask for the important ones to be included in the rental agreement.
• If possible, have a short, friendly chat with a current tenant in the building.

Questions About Rent and Money

1. What exactly is the monthly rent, and what does it include?

Clarify whether the quoted rent includes service charge, water, gas, lift, generator, guard and cleaning. "Tk 25,000" can mean very different totals depending on what is included.

2. Is there a separate service charge, and what does it cover?

Many apartment buildings charge a monthly service charge for the caretaker, guard, cleaning, lift, generator and common electricity. Ask for the amount and how often it changes. See what a service charge in apartments means for details.

3. How much advance is required, and how is it adjusted?

In Bangladesh, landlords commonly ask for one to three months' rent in advance. Ask whether it is an advance adjusted against future rent, or a security deposit (jamanat) returned at the end. They work very differently.

4. When and how is the advance or deposit returned?

Ask what deductions might be made (unpaid bills, damage) and how long the refund takes after you leave. Our guide on advance rent and security deposit rules explains common practice and the legal background.

5. On what date is rent due, and how can I pay?

Typical due dates are the 1st to the 10th of the month. Ask whether you can pay by bKash, Nagad or bank transfer, or only cash, and whether there is any extra charge for mobile payments.

6. Will I get a receipt for every payment?

Always. A receipt protects both you and the landlord. If the landlord does not usually give receipts, ask politely for a signed receipt or at least a written confirmation by SMS or WhatsApp.

7. How often is rent increased, and by how much?

Ask how rent increases have been handled in the past and whether the agreement will state when a review can happen. Unexpected mid-year increases are a common source of disputes.

Questions About Utilities

8. How is the electricity bill calculated?

Is there a separate prepaid or postpaid meter in your name or the landlord's name, or a sub-meter where the landlord bills you? If it is a sub-meter, ask what rate per unit is charged and how the reading is taken.

9. What is the water supply like, and is there any water bill?

Ask whether water comes from WASA, a deep tube-well or both, whether supply is continuous or at fixed times, and whether there is a separate water charge or it is included in the service charge. Turn on the taps during the viewing.

10. Is there a piped gas line or cylinder?

Many newer buildings in Dhaka do not have piped Titas gas and rely on LPG cylinders. If there is a line, ask about the monthly gas bill and how it is shared. If cylinders are used, ask where they are stored and whether there is a safe connection point.

11. Is there a generator or backup power, and what does it cover?

Some generators only run the lift, pump and stair lights; others supply a few lights and fans in each flat. Ask which, and whether it is included in the service charge.

12. Is internet available, and which providers serve the building?

If you work from home, ask which broadband providers already have lines in the building and whether the landlord allows new connections to be installed.

Questions About the Flat and the Building

13. Are there any known problems with leaks, damp or drainage?

Look at ceilings, bathroom walls and under the kitchen sink. Ask directly about monsoon leaks and whether the road outside gets waterlogged. Top-floor flats are especially prone to roof leaks.

14. Who handles repairs, and how quickly?

Ask who to call when something breaks and who pays for which repairs. A good landlord will have a clear answer and a caretaker or handyman on call.

15. Is there a working lift and how is it maintained?

For higher floors, a reliable lift matters. Ask whether it has a maintenance contract and runs on generator power during load-shedding.

16. Is parking available, and is it included?

Car and motorcycle parking is often limited and charged separately. Ask whether a specific spot is assigned and whether there is an extra monthly fee.

17. What security arrangements are in place?

Ask about the guard's hours, gate locking times, CCTV, and visitor entry rules. Also ask whether the main door lock was changed after the last tenant.

18. Which fittings and appliances come with the flat?

Fans, lights, geyser, kitchen cabinets, curtain rails, AC points: list what is included and note their condition in writing so there is no dispute when you leave.

Questions About House Rules

19. Are there rules on guests, overnight visitors or gate timings?

Some buildings lock gates at a fixed hour or restrict overnight guests. Know the rules before you commit, especially if you work late shifts.

20. Are pets allowed?

If you have a cat, bird or dog, ask clearly and get the answer in writing.

21. What documents and police information form are required?

In Dhaka, tenants are usually asked to fill in the DMP tenant information form and provide NID copies and photos. Ask what the landlord needs and how your information will be stored. Our DMP tenant information form guide explains the process.

22. Can I make small changes, like painting or wall hooks?

Ask before drilling holes for TV mounts, curtain rods or shelves, and whether you must restore anything when leaving.

Questions About the Agreement and Moving Out

23. Will there be a written rental agreement?

A written agreement protects both sides. Ask to read it before paying anything, and check that rent, advance, deposit, notice period, service charge and repair responsibilities are all included.

24. How much notice is needed to leave, and can the landlord ask me to leave early?

Two months' notice is common in Bangladesh, but it varies. Make sure the notice period applies to both sides and is written in the agreement.

25. What condition must the flat be in when I leave?

Ask whether you must repaint, what counts as normal wear and tear, and how the final inspection and deposit settlement will be done.

Bonus: Things to Check Yourself in the Neighbourhood

Some answers you will not get from the landlord; you have to see them yourself. Spend 20 minutes walking around the area before you decide.

• Commute: check the route to your office, school or university at the time you would actually travel. A flat that is 3 km away can take an hour in Dhaka traffic.
• Daily shopping: is there a kacha bazar, pharmacy and grocery shop within walking distance?
• Waterlogging: look for water marks on boundary walls and ask the local shopkeepers whether the lane floods in heavy rain.
• Noise: construction sites, markets, mosques, schools and busy junctions all affect noise at different times of day.
• Mobile signal: check your phone network inside the flat, not just on the street.
• Waste collection: ask how and when garbage is collected from the building.
• Safety at night: is the lane lit, and do people walk around comfortably after dark?

If you are new to the city, our tenant's guide to renting a flat in Dhaka walks through the whole search process, from finding listings to moving in.

Quick Checklist Table

Calculating the True Monthly Cost

The rent figure alone does not tell you what you will actually pay. Add everything up before comparing flats.

For example (illustrative)

You are comparing two flats in Mohammadpur.

• Flat A: rent Tk 22,000, service charge Tk 3,000, gas bill about Tk 1,080, water included, estimated electricity Tk 2,500. Total: 22,000 + 3,000 + 1,080 + 2,500 = Tk 28,580 per month.
• Flat B: rent Tk 24,000 including service charge and water, no gas line so LPG cylinder about Tk 1,500 per month, estimated electricity Tk 2,500. Total: 24,000 + 1,500 + 2,500 = Tk 28,000 per month.

Flat B looks Tk 2,000 more expensive at first but is actually about Tk 580 cheaper per month once everything is included. Over a year that is 580 x 12 = Tk 6,960. Also compare advance amounts: if Flat A asks for two months' advance (Tk 44,000) and Flat B asks for three (Tk 72,000), your upfront cash needs differ by Tk 28,000. All figures here are illustrative; actual bills depend on usage and current tariffs.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Pressure to pay a large advance immediately, before you see the agreement.
• Refusal to give any receipt for payments.
• Vague answers about service charge or utility billing.
• Fresh paint only on one wall or ceiling patch, which can hide damp.
• No clear answer on who fixes what.
• Someone other than the owner collecting money with no proof of authority.

Sample message after a viewing: "Thank you for showing me the flat today. To confirm what we discussed: rent Tk 22,000, service charge Tk 3,000, two months' advance adjusted against rent from month 7, rent due by the 7th by bKash or bank, and two months' notice from either side. Could we include these in the agreement? Thank you."

Common Mistakes Tenants Make

• Paying the advance before reading the agreement. Once money is paid, your bargaining position weakens.
• Relying on verbal promises. "I will fix it after you move in" should be written with a date.
• Not photographing the flat at move-in. Dated photos protect your deposit.
• Ignoring the evening and monsoon situation. Noise, mosquitoes and waterlogging are easy to miss on a sunny afternoon.
• Not checking the true monthly cost. Service charge and utilities can add a significant amount.
• Losing receipts. Keep every receipt or payment screenshot in one folder.

What Good Landlords Appreciate

Asking questions does not make you a difficult tenant. Most experienced landlords prefer tenants who clarify things upfront, because it means fewer disputes later. In return, be ready to share your own information: your job or business, family size, NID, previous address and a reference if you have one. A clear, respectful conversation on both sides is the best start to a long tenancy. Landlords who use tools such as Bariwala ERP can usually send you digital invoices and receipts, which makes it easier for both sides to keep track of payments.

Final Thoughts

Twenty-five questions may sound like a lot, but most can be covered in a 15-minute conversation. The answers tell you not just about the flat but about the landlord: whether they are organised, transparent and responsive. Write the key points down, compare the true monthly cost of each option, and make sure the important answers end up in your rental agreement. A little time before signing can save months of frustration after you move in.