Renting a whole house in Vietnam: 8 checks before you pay

Renting a whole house is different from renting a room: more money is at stake, the lease is longer and you handle more yourself, from utilities to repairs and security. A rushed decision can cost your family the deposit or force a move halfway through the lease. These tips for renting a whole house walk through eight checks in order, from choosing the area to the day you get the keys.

1. Choose the area first, then the house

Start with where the family needs to be: your workplaces, the children's school, a market, a hospital. Try the commute at rush hour and ask locals whether the street floods in heavy rain. On rentals.com.vn you can find a rental home by ward so you only see listings in the area you have chosen.

2. Meet the real owner and see the papers

Before paying a deposit, ask to see the land use and house ownership certificate, or a letter authorising the person to rent the property out if they are not the owner. Match the name on the papers with the ID of the person signing the lease. A house that is mortgaged or under dispute can cause trouble later, so ask directly.

3. Tips for renting a whole house: the viewing

• Run every tap, flush the toilets and test the water heater; check water pressure on upper floors.
• Switch on lights, air-conditioning and fans; look for scorch marks on sockets and the fuse box.
• Check ceilings, wall bases and window corners for damp, mould and cracks.
• Test doors, locks, window bars and the escape route in case of fire.
• Look at parking, rubbish collection and noise from nearby shops and cafés.

Visit at least twice at different times, including once in the evening, to see what the street is really like.

4. Ask exactly what the rent covers

Does the rent include management fees, internet and rubbish collection? Are electricity and water charged at the official rate or at the owner's rate? How often can rent rise, and by how much? Put all of it in the lease rather than relying on verbal promises.

5. Paying a deposit safely

The deposit amount is agreed between you and the owner. Only pay once you have viewed the house and have a receipt or lease stating the amount, when it will be returned and what can be deducted. Pay by bank transfer to an account in the owner's name so you have a record. Never send a "holding fee" for a place you have not seen with your own eyes.

6. What the lease should say

For long or high-value leases, have a lawyer read it first or ask about notarisation; rules can change, so get professional advice for your situation.

7. Move-in day: photos and a handover record

Walk through the house with the owner, photograph every room, note the electricity and water meter readings, and list the furniture provided and its condition. Both of you sign the handover record. This is the single most useful document for getting your deposit back when you leave.

8. Security in your new home

You cannot know whether a previous tenant still has a key. Ask the owner whether you may change the lock cylinder; many tenants fit a new one and keep the old one to put back when they move out. Extra door chains, a doorbell and a small indoor camera add peace of mind; see locks, doorbells and cameras. Moving soon? Read our moving checklist next.