How do rental contracts and deposits work in Romania 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, district heating, water, Digi or Orange fibre, and how the deposit returns. Spell out întreținere so the monthly asociație de proprietari bill is not a surprise after keys. Romanian 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 or holds a valid power of attorney before you transfer money. Treat suspiciously cheap Floreasca asks as unverified leads: Avoid rental scams. Furnished and unfurnished stock both need the same contract discipline: Furnished rentals.

Expect roughly one to two months’ security deposit plus first month on move-in. When you use an agenție imobiliară, budget a tenant agency fee near one month’s rent on top. Separate deposit, first rent, and agency fee in receipts, not chat screenshots. Photograph meters, appliances, damp patches, and walls at handover with a proces-verbal inventory list, then share the set with the owner the same day.

Individual landlords who earn rental income from personal property generally must register the lease with ANAF (Agenția Națională de Administrare Fiscală) using form C168 within about 30 days of signing. Amendments and termination are also reported on that clock. Refusal is a practical red flag when you need housing proof for Register your address. A private signed lease that is registered with the tax office can become an enforceable title for unpaid rent under Civil Code rules; notarial authentic form is the other path. Exact enforcement steps change with practice, so verify live with a Romanian lawyer if a dispute is already brewing.

Prefer bank transfers that match named parties once you have a local account. Use short furnished stays only as a bridge while you finish viewings: Short-term housing for newcomers. Compare advertised asks against real district maths: How much is rent.