5 Common Mistakes When Renting Out Your Flat (and How to Avoid Them)

Because sometimes what seems easy… ends up being expensive.

Renting out a flat might seem simple:

You post a listing, pick someone who seems nice, sign a contract you found online, and done… right?

If only.

The truth is, many property owners—especially those renting on their own—make small mistakes that seem harmless at first, but can cause serious problems later.

If you're thinking about renting your flat (or already have and something feels off), keep reading.

Mistake 1: Choosing a tenant based on a “good feeling”

“She seemed really nice...”
“He said he had a job…”
“They were in a hurry and I felt bad saying no…”

We get it—everyone wants to trust people. But renting out a flat isn’t about having faith. It’s a legal agreement.

That means you need to verify:

• Official ID

• Employment contract and proof of regular income

• References (if possible)

• How they act during the process (if they’re already making excuses before signing… imagine later)

Solution: Always screen tenants with professional criteria. It’s not about being paranoid—it’s about protecting yourself and your property.

Mistake 2: Using a generic (or outdated) contract

That PDF your cousin sent you back in 2018 won’t help if there’s a dispute.
In fact, it might not even be legally valid anymore.

Rental regulations change every year, and most DIY contracts are missing key clauses on:

• Lease duration and automatic renewals

• Maintenance responsibilities

• Penalties for non-payment or damage

• Residency registration restrictions, etc.

Solution: Use a contract drafted by professionals and tailored to your rental type (long-term, seasonal, tourist…). Better safe than sorry.

Mistake 3: Not protecting yourself against unpaid rent or damage

“The deposit is enough…”

We wish. But the deposit covers very little—and if someone stops paying for months or causes serious damage, you could lose money (and patience).

Solution: Get non- payment + liability insurance.
It’s affordable, and in many cases, you’ll get advanced payments while the issue is resolved legally.

Mistake 4: Leaving your flat empty between rentals

It feels safer, but it’s actually the opposite.

Empty flats with no activity are prime targets for squatters.
And every month without a tenant is money lost.

Solution: Plan ahead when leases are ending.
Make quick improvements if needed, but keep the property active and monitored.

Mistake 5: Trying to do it all yourself

“I don’t want to pay commission…”
“I’ll figure it out…”
“How hard can it be?”

Rental management seems simple—until:

• You’re writing a last-minute contract

• The tenant stops paying and you don’t know what to do

• There’s a leak and you’re out of the country

Solution: Delegating isn’t giving up. It’s taking care of yourself.
A professional agency (like us) won’t just find the right tenant—we’ll guide you, protect you, and handle it all.

You collect rent. We handle everything else.

Sound familiar?

You're not alone.
We’ve helped many property owners who came to us frustrated from past experiences.

And believe us—with the right strategy, renting can be smooth and profitable.

👉 Have a flat and wondering if you're doing things right?
Message us. We’ll give you an honest, professional opinion—no pressure, no fine print.