What to check before renting an apartment in Lebanon
Before renting an apartment in Lebanon, confirm what the rent covers, how electricity and the building generator are billed, whether water supply is reliable, and what the building charges are. Visit the apartment in person, ideally during the day and again in the evening, before committing to anything.
Ask about running costs before the rent
The advertised rent is rarely the whole monthly cost. In most Lebanese buildings the generator subscription, water and building maintenance are separate, and together they can add substantially to what you pay each month.
- How the building generator is billed, and what the current rate is
- How many amperes the apartment is entitled to
- Whether water is supplied by the building, delivered, or both
- What the monthly building charges cover
- Which currency rent and charges are paid in, and how that is fixed
Inspect the apartment properly
- Visit in daylight and again after dark - light, noise and generator hours all change
- Run every tap and flush every toilet to check pressure and drainage
- Look for damp patches on ceilings and around windows
- Check phone signal and whether internet is already installed
- Confirm what furniture and appliances stay with the apartment
- Ask about parking, and whether it is included
Before you sign
- Get the agreed rent, currency, duration and notice period in writing
- Photograph the apartment's condition on the day you move in
- Agree in writing who pays for repairs and maintenance
- Confirm what deposit is held and the conditions for its return
Faq
What extra costs come with renting in Lebanon?
Beyond rent, expect a generator subscription billed by ampere, a share of building maintenance charges, water, and your own electricity and internet. Ask for the current monthly figure for each before agreeing to a rent, because together they can be a significant addition.
Is rent in Lebanon paid in dollars or Lebanese pounds?
Both are used, and it varies by landlord and building. Agree the currency, the amount, and how any conversion is calculated in writing before signing, so there is no dispute later.
What should I check on a viewing?
Water pressure and drainage, damp on ceilings and around windows, phone signal, generator hours and entitlement, parking, and exactly which furniture and appliances remain. Visit once in daylight and once after dark before deciding.