In this guide
Fast answer
Before you book a room abroad, get the total monthly price, what bills it includes, the deposit and how it is returned, the exact address and room, the dates, the notice period and the contract itself in writing, and see the place on a live video call. Then read eight clauses before you sign: who is renting, which room, dates, rent, bills, deposit, inventory, leaving early and whether you are liable for flatmates. If any answer stays vague, treat it as missing, not as a yes.
- Still choosing the type of housing? Start with student accommodation abroad or student residences by city.
- Renting in a specific country? See the country guides at the end.
Most rental problems on an exchange do not come from scams but from contracts nobody read: a ten-month minimum for a five-month stay, bills that were “included” up to a limit, a deposit with no inventory. This guide follows the real order: questions to send before you book, then the clauses to check before you sign and pay.
The 12 questions to send before booking
| Area | Ask in writing |
|---|---|
| Price | What is the monthly rent? Which bills are included and which are extra? |
| Deposit | How much is it, where is it held and when is it returned? |
| Room | Which exact room is it? Does it have a lock, a window, a desk and the furniture in the photos? |
| Dates | From which day to which day? Is there a minimum stay or a penalty for leaving early? |
| Contract | Can you send the contract before I pay? Who is named as landlord or agency? |
| Location | What is the full address, and can we do a live video call from the property? |
| Flatmates | How many people live there, and how are cleaning, guests and bills shared? |
| Paperwork | Can I register at this address if the city or university requires it? |
A useful answer has a figure, a condition and a document: what the price covers, when the deposit comes back and where that is written. “All included” or “we’ll see” is not an answer.
A message you can adapt
*”Hello, I am interested in the room for my exchange semester. Before booking, could you confirm in writing: the monthly rent and which bills are included, the deposit and how it is returned, the exact address and room, the contract dates, any minimum stay, the notice period, and whether we can do a live video call from the flat? I would also like to see the contract before making any payment. Thank you.”*
The 8 clauses to read before signing
| Clause | What must be clear |
|---|---|
| Parties and property | Who is renting, the address, the exact room and who signs |
| Dates | Start, end, renewal, notice and what happens if your exchange dates change |
| Rent | Amount, payment day, account and receipts |
| Bills | Water, electricity, heating, internet, cleaning and any cap on “all included” |
| Deposit | Amount, receipt and conditions for getting it back |
| Inventory | Furniture, condition, keys, photos and existing damage |
| Leaving early | Notice, finding a replacement, penalties and final cleaning |
| Liability | Whether you sign only for your room or are jointly liable with the other tenants |
Room or whole flat. With a single room you usually have an individual contract and house rules for shared areas. If several of you rent a whole flat, the contract can make everyone jointly responsible for the rent and damage, so one person leaving becomes everyone’s problem. Read who is liable in the contract itself, not in the listing.
The deposit is not your last month’s rent. It is a guarantee. Keep the payment receipt, a signed inventory and dated photos from the day you move in and the day you leave.
Rules change by country
The questions are universal; the rules are not. Deposit limits, registration and contract types differ between countries and sometimes cities. Our country guides cover what is specific:
- Renting in Spain: contract types, deposit and empadronamiento.
- Renting in France
- Renting in Germany: including the Anmeldung.
- Renting in Italy
- Renting in Portugal
- Renting in the Netherlands
Stop and ask for help if
- you are asked to pay before getting a contract that matches the listing, or the landlord cannot be identified;
- “bills included” comes with no detail or limit;
- penalties are vague or a clause contradicts the dates you were promised;
- you are not allowed to keep a copy of the contract or the inventory.
If the contract is in a language you do not read, ask your host university’s international or housing office for help before you sign; the European Commission recommends exactly that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I ask for the contract before booking?
Yes. You need to know the dates, price, bills, deposit and exit conditions before committing money.
Is a video call enough to check a room?
It is much better than photos, but not enough on its own. Combine it with the address, the landlord’s identity, the contract and a traceable payment.
What if the landlord does not answer a key question?
Treat it as missing information, not a good sign. Ask again in writing or move on to another offer.
Can I sign a rental contract from abroad?
Often yes, but still check identity, the property, the full document, cancellation terms and a traceable payment method.
What happens if my exchange dates change?
Only what the contract says. Ask for a clause on early departure or changed mobility dates before you sign, especially for a one-semester stay.