Four Squares Property Management provides services across the property asset life-cycle: construction stage consultancy, registration and building approval, facility management and preventative maintenance of the property.
Property Management
Moscow apartment rental market is cyclical: a few high rental activity years with renters scrambling for any available apartment are followed by a glut in availability. In either scenario, the most desirable Moscow apartments for rent are snapped up the quickest.
Don't worry, professionals from Four Squares Apartment Rentals will help you to find and rent out an apartment in Moscow regardless of rental market condition.
Rental Process
Conduct the search
1. Be prepared: Create a renter's resume with your current and previous five addresses and landlord's phone numbers, your employer and length of employment, your current salary and other income, personal references, among other information. You want to look as good on paper as possible to stand out from other applicants.
2. Browse through the list of Moscow apartments for rent or search for an apartment in a certain Moscow borough or neighbourhood on our Search Moscow Apartment Rentals inventory.
3. While browsing through the list of the available rental units it is always a good idea to pick several apartments so that you'll have options in case you don't like rental conditions. Learn the detailed information about the rental unit and consider how much you are willing to pay. A good rule of thumb is no more than 30% of your after-taxes monthly income.
4. Contact a Four Squares apartment rental agent by sending us a Booking Request using the Apartment Reservation Form available on every page that displays apartment details. (for example, Apartment Reservation Form) An agent will help you to narrow your search or find more options that meet your search criteria. Four Squares Apartment Rental Agency has been operating on Moscow apartment rental market for over 15 years. Our rental managers know this market very well so use our knowledge to find an apartment that suites you budget and your lifestyle. This service is free for you.
Apartment Inspection
5. Inspect the rental unit carefully. If you discover any damage, you should ask that it be fixed. If for some reasons it can't be fixed in a timely manner, you'll need to ask to include detailed damage description in your lease agreement, so you won't be responsible for it later. The provision in your lease agreement shall state either that you agree to live with it, or the landlord agrees to fix it by a certain date.
Consider a common entrance in terms of how much privacy you may want. Ask if parking or an indoor garage usage is covered by rent. Ask about a yard, storage, washer and dryer, swimming pool, tennis, gym or concierge services.
If you find an apartment you love but it lacks services such as utilities, laundry facilities, cable TV and Internet access, ask the landlord to provide this amenities/facilities at no charge.
Negotiate the deal
6. Examine your apartment rental lease in detail: How much notice is required prior to moving, how large a security deposit you have to make (if any), how much cleaning is required upon leaving to get your deposit back, and other provisions. Some agreements require first and last months' rent plus a security deposit. Is the lease month to month, or a 6- or 12-month period?
Ask for a lease with an option to buy if you'd be interested in purchasing the property down the line.
Move in!
7. Sign the lease agreement and get the key for your new home.
Apartment Rental Tips & Warnings
- If the landlord of the Moscow apartment you like allows pets, don't be surprised if you have to pay additional damage security deposit.
- If the security deposit is required, make sure to get in writing how soon after you move out the landlord will return it to you.
- If you are relocating to Moscow temporarily for business, consider short-term rental by looking through a list of Moscow Serviced Apartments. Also you may consider our Corporate Relocation Service to make your move into a new home as smooth as possible.
At Four Squares we employ a team of real estate lawyers to follow the latest changes in legislation.
Once the landlord confirms a willingness to proceed we will draw up a contract for both parties to sign. This will allow you to proceed safe in the knowledge that your rights are safeguarded.
Inventory – an inventory of the contents and condition of the property is usually prepared as part of the tenancy contract.
Security deposit – an advance payment will be required before you move into the property. Likewise most landlords request a security deposit, which will be returned to you at the end of the lease subject to the findings of the check-out report.