Flat for Rent in Lahore: What to Check Before You Move In

Flats and apartments are a growing part of Lahore's rental market, especially in Gulberg, DHA, Bahria Town, Askari and along the main boulevards. Living in a building is different from renting a house or portion: you share lifts, water, parking and management with other people. This checklist covers what to look at before you pay anything.

1. Monthly costs beyond the rent

• Maintenance or service charges: ask the exact monthly amount, who pays it (tenant or owner), and what it covers: security, cleaning, lifts, common lights, generator.
• Generator or backup power: ask whether there is building backup, which points in the flat it runs, and whether it is charged separately.
• Parking: ask whether a parking space comes with the flat, and whether there is a fee.
• Utilities: check whether the flat has its own electricity and gas meters. See LESCO and SNGPL bills for tenants.

2. The building

• Visit the lifts. Ask how many there are, whether they run during power cuts and how quickly they are repaired.
• Look at the stairs, fire exits and fire extinguishers on your floor.
• Check water pressure on your floor, and ask where the water tank is and how often it is cleaned.
• Ask who manages the building and how complaints are handled. Meet the management office if you can.
• Look at the entrance, guards and visitor rules.

3. The flat itself

• Look for seepage under windows, in bathrooms and on the ceiling of top floors.
• Run the taps and the geyser, and test every switch and socket.
• Check kitchen ventilation and the gas connection.
• Ask for the covered area in square feet. Our guide to marla to square feet helps with units.
• For furnished flats, list every item and its condition before you move in. See furnished vs unfurnished.

4. Building rules

• Ask whether the building has rules on families, bachelors, guests or pets.
• Ask about moving-in times and whether the lift can be booked for furniture.
• Ask whether you can install an air conditioner, a satellite dish or solar panels.

5. Papers and agreement

• Confirm that the person renting the flat is the owner or holds written authority from the owner.
• Write the maintenance charges, parking and backup arrangement into the agreement, with who pays each.
• Agree the deposit, advance and notice period in writing. See our rent agreement format.
• Register as a tenant with the police. See tenant registration in Lahore.

Questions to ask before you pay

1. What is the total monthly cost: rent, maintenance, parking and backup power?
2. What does the maintenance charge include, and has it gone up recently?
3. Do the lifts and water work during load-shedding?
4. Is a parking space reserved for this flat?
5. Who do I call for repairs: the owner or building management?
6. Are there rules about families, bachelors or guests?

What we could not verify

• Typical maintenance charges in different Lahore buildings. They vary widely, so always ask for the exact figure.
• Building approval and safety rules for specific apartment projects.