You walk into a rental property and immediately like it.

The rooms are spacious.

The kitchen looks modern.

The location is perfect.

The landlord seems reasonable.

You can already imagine where the furniture will go.

But before saying:

“We’ll take it.”

there is another question worth asking:

What haven’t I checked yet?

Rental properties can hide problems that are difficult to notice during a quick 15-minute viewing.

Poor water pressure may become obvious only in the morning.

Seepage may be hidden behind fresh paint.

Parking that looks empty during the day may become impossible at night.

An apartment building with beautiful interiors may have unreliable lifts.

And a perfectly good house can become frustrating if the landlord and tenant have completely different expectations about maintenance.

Before paying an advance or security deposit, inspect more than the bedrooms and kitchen.

Here is the Gharazi rental inspection guide for tenants in Pakistan.

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1. Check the Water Supply

Start with something basic.

Turn on the taps.

Water problems can dramatically affect daily life, yet tenants sometimes forget to investigate them.

Ask:

• What is the water source?
• Is society/municipal water available?
• Is groundwater used?
• Is tanker water required?
• How frequently is water available?
• Is there an underground tank?
• Is there an overhead tank?
• Who operates the water pump?
• Is water pressure adequate upstairs?

If possible, check taps in:

• Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Laundry area
• Upper floor

Do not simply ask:

“Pani aata hai?”

The answer will almost certainly be:

“Ji, bilkul.”

Ask how the system actually works.

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2. Ask the Neighbours About Water

The landlord may genuinely believe water supply is fine.

The neighbours live with it every day.

If practical, ask someone nearby:

“How is the water supply in this street?”

You may learn:

“Water comes every second day.”

“Everyone uses bore water.”

“We need tankers in summer.”

“Pressure upstairs is poor.”

Local residents can be extremely valuable sources of practical information.

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3. Check Electricity

Confirm:

• Is there a separate meter?
• Is the meter functioning?
• Where is it located?
• Are there outstanding bills?
• What electrical load is available?
• Are there frequent electricity issues in the area?

Inside the property, test a reasonable selection of:

• Lights
• Fans
• Switches
• Sockets

Look for:

• Loose switches
• Exposed wiring
• Burn marks
• Improvised electrical connections

You are not expected to perform a technical electrical inspection yourself.

But obvious problems should not be ignored.

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4. Understand Backup Electricity

The listing says:

“Power backup available.”

Good.

But what exactly does that mean?

It could mean:

• Generator for the entire property
• Generator for selected circuits
• Building generator for lifts only
• UPS
• Inverter
• Solar system
• Battery backup

Ask:

What does the backup actually power?

For how long?

Who maintains it?

Who pays the fuel or electricity cost?

Are there additional monthly charges?

In an apartment building, ask residents how reliably the backup system actually operates.

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5. Check Gas

Do not assume a gas connection exists.

Ask:

• Is there a gas meter?
• Is it separate?
• Is the connection active?
• How is pressure?
• Are cylinders or another alternative used?
• Who is responsible for those arrangements?

If your household depends heavily on gas for cooking or heating, this can materially affect whether the property suits you.

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6. Check Internet Availability

The landlord may say:

“Internet sab available hai.”

Confirm it.

If you work from home, study online, run a business or rely heavily on connectivity, check which providers serve the exact property.

Ask about:

• Fibre availability
• Broadband providers
• Typical installation time
• Mobile network coverage

Take your phone into different rooms.

A property can be in a major city and still have poor indoor mobile reception.

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7. Look Carefully for Seepage

Fresh paint deserves closer inspection.

Not because fresh paint is suspicious—but because it can temporarily make old water damage harder to see.

Check:

• Ceilings
• Bathroom walls
• Kitchen walls
• Basement
• Roof
• External-facing walls
• Areas around pipes
• Walls adjoining bathrooms

Look for:

• Bubbling paint
• Discoloration
• Damp patches
• Musty smell
• Flaking plaster
• Recently painted isolated sections

Ask:

“Has there been any seepage or leakage here?”

If the answer is yes, ask what was repaired.

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8. Inspect Bathrooms Properly

A beautiful bathroom can still function badly.

Check:

• Water pressure
• Hot-water arrangement
• Flush
• Drainage
• Taps
• Shower
• Leakage
• Ventilation
• Exhaust
• Doors
• Fittings

Run some water and see whether it drains properly.

Slow drainage today can become a daily frustration after you move in.

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9. Inspect the Kitchen

Check:

• Water pressure
• Sink drainage
• Cabinets
• Countertops
• Gas arrangements
• Electrical sockets
• Exhaust
• Space for refrigerator
• Space for appliances

Open cabinets.

Look under the sink.

That is often where leakage, dampness or plumbing problems become visible.

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10. Check the Roof

If you are renting a house or upper portion, ask to see the roof where access is relevant.

Look at:

• Drainage
• Water tanks
• Waterproofing condition
• Cracks
• Standing water
• General maintenance

Ask who has roof access.

For portions, clarify whether the roof is:

• Private
• Shared
• Landlord-controlled
• Accessible to another tenant

Privacy assumptions should be clarified before moving in.

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11. Check Doors, Windows and Locks

Open them.

Close them.

Check:

• Main entrance
• Bedroom doors
• Bathroom doors
• Balcony doors
• Windows
• Locks
• Sliding doors
• Security grills where applicable

A window that does not close properly can become a security, weather and air-conditioning problem.

Also establish how many keys will be provided.

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12. Check Natural Light and Ventilation

A property may look bright because every light is switched on during the viewing.

Turn some lights off.

Ask:

How much natural light actually enters?

Check:

• Bedrooms
• Living areas
• Kitchen
• Bathrooms

Poor ventilation can contribute to:

• Dampness
• Odours
• Heat
• Discomfort

This matters particularly in apartments and densely constructed areas.

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13. Check Air Conditioning and Heating Arrangements

If air conditioners are installed, ask:

Do they belong to the landlord?

Are they included in the tenancy?

Are they working?

Who maintains them?

The same applies to:

• Heaters
• Geysers
• Boilers
• Fans
• Solar equipment

Never assume something visible during the viewing will remain after possession.

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14. Check What Is Actually Included

The property may contain:

• Curtains
• Lights
• Fans
• Air conditioners
• Appliances
• Furniture
• Water heaters
• Solar panels
• UPS
• Batteries

Create clarity.

If important items are included, list them in an inventory attached to or acknowledged with the tenancy documentation where appropriate.

For example:

3 air conditioners

6 ceiling fans

1 installed oven

1 water heater

This prevents:

“I thought that belonged to the house.”

versus:

“No, that belonged to the previous tenant.”

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15. Check Parking in Real Life

The advertisement says:

“2-car parking.”

Bring this back to reality.

Can two cars actually fit?

Can both enter and leave easily?

Does one block the other?

Does the gate open properly?

For apartments:

• Is parking allocated?
• What is the parking number?
• Is it covered?
• Is visitor parking available?
• Can another resident use your space?

If possible, visit in the evening when most residents are home.

That reveals the real parking situation.

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16. Visit the Street at Night

A street that feels excellent at noon may be different after dark.

Check:

• Lighting
• Traffic
• Noise
• Parking
• Commercial activity
• Security
• Accessibility

If your family regularly returns home late, nighttime conditions matter.

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17. Check Morning Traffic

This is especially important near:

• Schools
• Offices
• Commercial areas
• Hospitals
• Main roads

A quiet 10-minute drive on Sunday could become a 45-minute commute on Monday morning.

Use realistic travel times when evaluating location.

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18. Ask What Happens During Heavy Rain

Some problems appear only a few times a year.

That doesn’t make them unimportant.

Ask residents:

“Does water collect on this street during heavy rain?”

Check:

• Street level
• Property entrance
• Basement
• Drainage
• Ground-floor elevation

If the house sits significantly below road level, investigate carefully.

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19. Check Noise

Stand quietly for a minute.

Listen.

Possible noise sources include:

• Main roads
• Schools
• Mosques
• Markets
• Wedding halls
• Construction
• Generators
• Commercial activity
• Neighbours
• Aircraft depending on location

Noise tolerance is personal.

The important thing is knowing what you are accepting before moving in.

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20. Check the Immediate Neighbourhood

Look beyond the property’s gate.

What is directly beside, behind and opposite it?

You might find:

• Empty plots
• Commercial buildings
• Construction sites
• Schools
• Workshops
• Restaurants
• Hostels
• Offices

None of these automatically makes a location bad.

But they can affect:

• Noise
• Traffic
• Parking
• Privacy
• Security

Know your surroundings.

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21. For Apartments, Test the Lifts

Do not simply see that lifts exist.

Use them.

Ask:

• How many lifts are there?
• How many are usually operational?
• Is there backup power?
• How frequently do they fail?
• Who maintains them?

This becomes increasingly important on higher floors.

A beautiful 14th-floor apartment is much less attractive when the lift is regularly unavailable.

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22. Inspect Apartment Common Areas

Walk through:

• Entrance
• Reception
• Corridors
• Staircases
• Parking
• Waste areas
• Emergency exits
• Shared facilities

Common areas reveal a lot about building management.

Are they clean?

Maintained?

Well lit?

Secure?

A poorly maintained lobby can be an early warning about how the rest of the building is managed.

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23. Understand Apartment Service Charges

Ask for the actual number.

Not:

“Charges normal hain.”

Ask:

“How much per month?”

Then ask what they cover.

Potential components include:

• Security
• Lifts
• Cleaning
• Generator
• Common electricity
• Building maintenance
• Facilities
• Water

Also ask whether additional charges arise periodically.

Include these expenses when comparing rents.

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24. Ask Existing Apartment Residents

If you are seriously considering an apartment, speak to residents where practical.

Ask:

How is management?

How are the lifts?

Any water problems?

How is backup electricity?

How is security?

Are service charges reasonable?

A five-minute conversation can reveal more than a 30-minute sales presentation.

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25. Verify the Landlord

Before paying substantial money, establish who is renting the property to you.

Ask:

Is the person you’re dealing with the owner?

If not:

What authority do they have to rent it?

You may be dealing with:

• Property owner
• Relative
• Agent
• Property manager
• Representative

There can be legitimate reasons for each arrangement.

But the relationship should be clear.

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26. Be Careful With Subletting

Suppose the person offering you the property is themselves a tenant.

Can they legally or contractually sublet it?

Do they have the landlord’s permission?

Do not assume.

If the arrangement involves subletting, investigate the authority and terms carefully.

Otherwise you may move into a property only to discover the actual owner never approved the arrangement.

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27. Check Outstanding Utility Bills

Before possession, clarify whether there are unpaid:

• Electricity bills
• Gas bills
• Water charges
• Building service charges
• Society charges relevant to occupancy

Where appropriate, review recent bills.

You should know where the previous occupant’s obligations end and yours begin.

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28. Record Meter Readings

On possession day, photograph applicable:

• Electricity meter
• Gas meter
• Water meter

Keep the images.

Record the date.

This creates a clear starting point for your tenancy.

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29. Understand the Security Deposit

Ask exactly:

How much?

What is it for?

When is it returned?

What can be deducted?

How quickly after leaving will it be settled?

Do not rely only on:

“Deposit wapas mil jaye ga.”

The conditions matter.

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30. Understand Advance Rent

Similarly, determine whether money requested upfront represents:

• Advance rent
• Security deposit
• Booking/token
• First month’s rent

These should not become one unexplained pool of money.

If you pay:

PKR 500,000

you should be able to explain exactly what each part represents.

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31. Ask About Rent Increases

Before signing, ask:

When can rent increase?

How is the increase determined?

What does the agreement say?

A tenant planning to stay for several years should understand what happens after the initial rental term.

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32. Clarify Maintenance Responsibilities

Ask specific questions.

If the water pump breaks, who pays?

If the roof leaks, who repairs it?

If an AC included with the property fails, who handles it?

What about small plumbing repairs?

The answer may vary depending on the issue and agreement.

The important thing is reducing ambiguity.

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33. Understand the Notice Period

Ask:

How much notice must I give before leaving?

And:

What notice is expected from the landlord?

Also clarify what happens if you need to leave before the agreed tenancy period ends.

This can affect:

• Security deposit
• Advance rent
• Other contractual obligations

Read the actual agreement rather than relying on assumptions.

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34. Check Restrictions Before Signing

Ask whether there are restrictions involving:

• Pets
• Guests
• Commercial activity
• Home office
• Renovation
• Painting
• Parking
• Roof use
• Subletting
• Short-term rentals

If something is important to your lifestyle, clarify it now.

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35. Read the Tenancy Agreement Carefully

Do not sign simply because the document looks standard.

Check:

• Names
• Identification details
• Property details
• Rent
• Deposit
• Advance
• Duration
• Payment date
• Increase terms
• Maintenance
• Notice
• Termination
• Utilities
• Restrictions
• Deposit return

If anything differs from your verbal agreement, resolve it before signing.

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36. Don’t Sign With Important Blank Spaces

A tenancy agreement should not contain unexplained blank fields for important information such as:

• Rent
• Deposit
• Dates
• Property details
• Notice period

Complete the relevant information before signing.

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37. Document the Property’s Existing Condition

This is one of the most valuable things a tenant can do.

Before moving furniture in, take photographs or video of:

• Every room
• Walls
• Floors
• Ceilings
• Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Doors
• Windows
• Appliances
• Existing damage

Pay particular attention to:

• Scratches
• Cracks
• Stains
• Broken fittings
• Paint damage

Where practical, have the landlord acknowledge the condition.

When the tenancy ends, you have a record of what existed before you arrived.

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38. Create an Inventory

For furnished or partially furnished properties, list what is included.

For example:

Item	Quantity	Condition
Air conditioners	3	Working
Ceiling fans	6	Working
Water heaters	2	Working
Refrigerator	1	Used/good
Curtains	8 sets	Existing

The exact format is not important.

Clarity is.

Both sides should understand what was handed over with the property.

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39. Get Receipts for Payments

Maintain evidence of:

• Deposit
• Advance rent
• Monthly rent
• Agent commission where applicable
• Other agreed payments

If paying electronically, keep the transaction records.

If paying by another method, obtain appropriate receipts.

Property relationships can last years.

Do not rely on memory.

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40. Ask Who You Contact When Something Goes Wrong

The landlord may live:

• In another city
• Overseas
• Nearby

You may be expected to contact:

• Landlord
• Property manager
• Agent
• Building maintenance

Know the process.

If a pipe bursts at 11 PM, you should not be discovering for the first time that the landlord is unreachable for three months.

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The 15-Minute Gharazi Rental Inspection

If you have limited time during a viewing, at minimum do these checks:

Minute 1–3: Water

Turn on taps.

Check pressure.

Ask about supply.

Minute 4–5: Electricity

Check meter arrangement, sockets and backup.

Minute 6: Gas

Confirm connection and availability.

Minute 7–9: Physical Condition

Look for seepage, cracks, leakage and obvious defects.

Minute 10: Parking

Check actual usable space.

Minute 11: Security

Doors, locks, entrance and surroundings.

Minute 12: Internet

Check provider availability and mobile signal.

Minute 13: Included Items

Ask what stays.

Minute 14: Money

Confirm rent, deposit, advance and service charges.

Minute 15: Agreement

Ask about duration, maintenance, rent increases and notice.

If the property survives those 15 minutes, you can investigate more deeply.

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Red Flags During a Rental Viewing

One red flag does not necessarily mean you should reject a property.

But investigate further if you hear:

“Don’t worry about the water.”

Ask how it works.

“We just painted everything.”

Fine—but look for signs of previous seepage.

“The agreement is standard. No need to read it.”

Read it.

“Pay today or someone else will take it.”

Do not let urgency eliminate basic checks.

“We’ll decide the deposit refund later.”

Clarify it now.

“The owner isn’t available, but I can take the money.”

Understand the person’s authority.

“Bills will be sorted after you move in.”

Clarify outstanding amounts before possession.

“Maintenance is the tenant’s responsibility.”

Ask exactly what that includes.

Specific answers are better than broad statements.

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House vs Apartment: Different Things to Check

When Renting a House

Pay extra attention to:

• Roof
• Water
• Seepage
• Security
• Parking
• Pumps
• Tanks
• Outdoor drainage
• Maintenance responsibility

When Renting an Apartment

Pay extra attention to:

• Lifts
• Building management
• Service charges
• Backup electricity
• Parking allocation
• Water
• Common areas
• Security
• Building rules

The apartment itself can be excellent while the building creates problems.

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What Should You Check Before Paying Any Money?

Before transferring a deposit or advance, make sure you can answer:

What exact property am I renting?

Who owns or legitimately controls it?

Who am I paying?

What is the monthly rent?

What is the security deposit?

What is the advance rent?

What other charges apply?

When does the tenancy begin?

What is included with the property?

Who handles repairs?

How can the tenancy end?

When and how is the security deposit returned?

If important answers remain:

“We’ll discuss that later,”

then payment can probably wait too.

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The Gharazi Pre-Rental Checklist

Before saying yes to a rental property:

Property

• Water supply checked
• Water pressure checked
• Electricity checked
• Backup electricity understood
• Gas checked
• Internet availability checked
• Seepage checked
• Bathrooms inspected
• Kitchen inspected
• Doors/windows checked
• Parking confirmed
• Security considered

Location

• Daytime conditions checked
• Evening conditions considered
• Commute checked
• Traffic understood
• Drainage/rain issues investigated
• Nearby land use considered

Apartment, Where Applicable

• Lifts checked
• Service charges confirmed
• Parking allocation confirmed
• Backup power understood
• Building maintenance inspected
• Building rules understood

Landlord

• Owner/landlord identity understood
• Agent or representative authority understood
• Payment recipient understood

Money

• Monthly rent confirmed
• Deposit confirmed
• Advance rent confirmed
• Agent commission confirmed where applicable
• Other recurring charges confirmed
• Outstanding utility bills checked

Agreement

• Tenancy duration understood
• Rent increase understood
• Maintenance responsibilities understood
• Notice period understood
• Deposit-return conditions understood
• Restrictions understood
• Agreement read before signing

Handover

• Existing condition documented
• Inventory prepared where relevant
• Meter readings recorded
• Keys accounted for
• Payment receipts obtained

The more boxes you can confidently check, the fewer surprises you are likely to encounter after moving in.

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Don’t Let a Beautiful Property Distract You From a Bad Rental

Tenants naturally focus on what they can see.

Beautiful flooring.

Modern kitchen.

Large bedrooms.

Nice balcony.

But a successful rental depends on things that photographs often cannot show:

Reliable water.

Reasonable utilities.

Functional maintenance.

Clear payments.

A fair agreement.

A workable relationship with the landlord.

A slightly less impressive house with reliable utilities and a responsive landlord may produce a much better living experience than a beautiful property surrounded by constant problems.

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Inspect First. Fall in Love Second.

It is easy to become emotionally attached to a property during a viewing.

You begin imagining:

The sofa here.

Children’s room there.

Dining table beside that window.

That is part of finding a home.

But before allowing that excitement to become a payment, inspect the practical reality.

Open the taps.

Check the meters.

Look behind the doors.

Ask about the bills.

Visit the street.

Understand the deposit.

Read the agreement.

Ask who fixes what.

Because finding a rental property isn’t simply about choosing somewhere that looks good for 20 minutes.

It is about choosing somewhere that works for your everyday life.

At Gharazi, we believe better property search should help people discover not only what is available, but what they need to know before deciding.

Gharazi — Find Better. Check Better. Rent Better.

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Continue the Gharazi Rental Guide

The Complete Guide to Renting a House in Pakistan
Start here for the complete rental journey—from budgeting and property search to agreements, moving in and eventually moving out.

What to Check Before Renting a House or Apartment in Pakistan
Use this inspection guide before committing to a rental property.

Next Guide

Never Pay a Rental Advance Before Checking These Things

Next, we’ll focus specifically on the moment money changes hands—covering security deposits, advance rent, booking/token payments, landlord identity, outstanding bills, receipts, refund conditions, tenancy agreements and the warning signs tenants should never ignore before making a payment.

This article provides general educational information and does not constitute legal advice. Tenancy laws, rent regulations, documentation requirements, registration procedures and landlord-tenant responsibilities vary by province and jurisdiction within Pakistan and may change over time. Tenants and landlords should verify applicable local requirements and obtain qualified professional advice where necessary.