How do rental contracts and deposits work in Moldova in 2026?

Name both parties, the exact address, rent amount and currency (often euro quoted, lei paid), payment date, lease term, notice rules, who pays electricity, Termoelectrica heating, water, and fibre, and how the deposit returns. Romanian or Russian is the language that matters in a dispute; keep a translation you understand if you cannot read the signed text: How to rent a home.

Confirm the signer matches the owner on a Register of Immovable Property extract or holds a valid power of attorney. Do not confuse cadastral ownership proof with tax registration. IGM treats a lease as lawful housing proof when it is registered under Moldovan rules and accompanied by State Tax Service confirmation: Register your address and Apply for a residence permit.

Expect roughly one to two months’ security deposit plus first month on move-in. Some Chișinău landlords also push a second guarantee against early termination; negotiate it down and write every euro or leu into receipts, not chat screenshots. Separate deposit, first rent, and any agenție fee. Photograph meters, appliances, damp patches, and walls at handover, then share the set with the owner the same day.

Individual landlords who are not running a business must register the lease with the State Tax Service within seven days of signing, often via SIA e-Cerere or an SFS counter. Resident landlords generally pay 7% of the monthly contract value; qualified non-resident landlords face 12%. That tax is the landlord’s duty, yet refusal to register is your problem when IGM asks for stamped confirmation. Prefer bank transfers that match named parties once you have a local account: Open a bank account. Spell utility rules clearly so winter heating does not become a surprise: Utilities, internet, and transport and How much is rent.