Renting a house For most people, it's one of the most important moments of the year—and one of the most anxiety-inducing. There's a lot of paperwork to sign, a lot of trust placed in someone you barely know yet. And there's one specific moment that almost everyone underestimates: the property inspection before moving in.
The moment when everything becomes settled.
When you sign the contract and receive the keys, you are accepting the property in its current condition. From that moment on, anything damaged—and not documented before you moved in—may be considered your responsibility when you leave.
The security deposit you paid is there to cover any potential damages. But without a thorough entry inspection, the line between "damage I caused" and "pre-existing damage" becomes very blurred—and this ambiguity usually resolves itself in favor of whoever has more power in the relationship.
What needs to be registered before entering?
- The condition of each wall, ceiling, and floor — cracks, stains, scratches, wear and tear;
- The functioning of all doors, windows and locks;
- The condition of the appliances included in the rental;
- Any pre-existing anomaly, no matter how small it may seem;
- Readings from water, electricity, and gas meters.
All of this should be recorded in a report with photographs and, ideally, in an encrypted document that neither party can alter afterwards. That is exactly what Rede Vistorias produces.
Your rights as a tenant
Portuguese law is clear: the landlord can only retain the security deposit to cover damages that exceed normal wear and tear. You have the right to demand an inspection of the property before signing the contract and receiving the keys. If the landlord or agency doesn't offer this, you should.
The exit inspection: just as important as the entry inspection.
When the time comes to return the keys, the exit inspection mirrors the entry inspection.
The current state of the property is compared to what was recorded at the beginning—and anything that is different and does not correspond to normal wear and tear is the tenant's responsibility; anything else is not. This process, when done correctly, is transparent, fair, and fast. No arguments, no tension, no lawyers.
What is documented ceases to be debated. And in a house, That's exactly what he wants: peace and quiet, not arguments.