Kazakhstan · Transaction safety
12 move-in checks before renting a flat in Kazakhstan
From meter readings to photographs of the furniture — what to record on move-in day so the deposit comes back when you leave. A checklist for tenants in Almaty, Astana, Shymkent and other Kazakh cities.
Deposits are lost not because landlords are malicious, but because nobody documented the real condition of the flat on move-in day. These 12 points close that gap. Go through them on the day you move in — ideally together with the owner — and save the results as photographs and a signed handover act.
§ 01
Before signing the agreement
- 01Owner's documents
Check the ID of the person letting the flat against the name in the property register extract. If a 'representative' is letting the flat, demand a notarised power of attorney; without one, do not sign the agreement.
- 02Spouse's consent
If the flat was bought during a marriage and is registered to one spouse, written consent of the other is formally required for a long-term tenancy. It is rarely checked, but in a dispute it protects the contract from being declared void.
- 03Registered occupants
Find out whether anyone else is registered at the address. Otherwise a month later a 'distant relative' with a legal right to live there may appear, and you will have no legal way to remove them.
§ 02
Move-in day — documenting the state
- 01Meter readings
Photograph electricity, water and gas meters in close-up, with the date and serial number visible. Enter the figures in the handover act and sign it together with the owner.
- 02Photo album of the flat
30–50 photographs: each room from a wide angle, furniture, kitchen, plumbing, every scratch and stain. Save them to cloud storage with an automatic date stamp — that is your evidence if the landlord tries to withhold the deposit for 'damage'.
- 03Inventory of contents
Attach a list of furniture and appliances with condition notes ('working', 'scratch on door') to the agreement. The more detailed the inventory, the fewer disputes when you leave.
- 04Keys and number of sets
Record how many keys you received and which locks they fit. Return exactly the same number when you leave. If the flat has an electronic lock, ask for the code to be changed.
§ 03
Checking utilities
- 01Utility arrears
Ask for recent bills or a certificate of no outstanding debt. The previous tenant's debts are not your responsibility — but unless you fix a 'zero point', you will have to prove it in a dispute.
- 02Internet and provider
Find out in whose name the internet is contracted and who pays for it. Ideally, transfer the contract into your name, or fix that responsibility in the tenancy agreement.
- 03Appliance test
Switch on everything included in the let: hob, oven, washing machine, dishwasher, air conditioner, water heater. Anything broken must be recorded in the act — otherwise the repair will fall on you.
§ 04
Formalities
- 01Deposit receipt
The deposit is documented separately, not as part of the tenancy contract. The receipt must show: amount in words, date, basis ('deposit for the rental of the flat at address…'), both parties' ID details and signatures.
- 02Communication channel and complaints
Agree which channel you will use to communicate (WhatsApp / Telegram / e-mail) and to log complaints. Keep the correspondence — in court it carries the weight of written evidence.
⚠ This material is for informational purposes only and does not replace legal advice. For major transactions always work with a qualified specialist in your country.