Tenant Survival Guide in Bangladesh (2026): Rent, Bills, Rules & Common Scams

A practical, shareable tenant guide for Bangladesh with real-world house rent tips and rent rules (Bangladesh) you can use today.

If you’re renting in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna—or moving cities for job/study—this guide will save you money, stress, and “last-minute surprises.”

Note: This is practical guidance, not legal advice. If a situation escalates, talk to a local lawyer or relevant authority.

1) Before You Rent: The 20-Minute “Don’t Get Trapped” Checklist

Verify the place (and the person)

• Meet at the property (not “come to my office first”).
  
  
• Ask for proof they control the property: recent utility bill/holding tax receipt, deed copy, or documents that match the owner’s name (even a partial verification helps).
  
  
• If a broker is involved: confirm who receives money and who signs the agreement.
  
  

Inspect like a detective (fast)

• Water pressure: check taps + shower + flushing (morning/evening if possible).
  
  
• Electricity: ask if it’s prepaid or postpaid; check meter location.
  
  
• Leaks: look at ceiling corners and under sinks.
  
  
• Generator backup: hours + cost policy.
  
  
• Mobile network + internet: test inside rooms (especially lifts/stairwells).
  
  

Ask these 10 questions (copy/paste to WhatsApp)

1. Monthly rent? Service charge? What’s included?
   
   
2. Deposit/advance? When is it returned?
   
   
3. Rent due date + grace period?
   
   
4. Who pays for repairs—tenant or owner? (major vs minor)
   
   
5. Painting policy when moving out?
   
   
6. Generator cost? Lift maintenance included?
   
   
7. Water & gas billing method?
   
   
8. Guest rules? Parking rules? Rooftop access?
   
   
9. Notice period to leave? (and owner’s notice to ask you to leave)
   
   
10. Any previous utility arrears on this unit?
    
    

2) Rental Agreement (Must-Have): Don’t Rely on “Bhai, trust me”

Verbal deals cause most tenant pain. Make it written and keep one original copy.

Stamp paper + copies

A Bangladeshi rental agreement is commonly executed on non-judicial stamp paper; one mainstream guide recommends Tk 300 stamp paper for a “legally sound” format.

Minimum clauses your agreement should include

• Names, NID/passport, addresses of owner & tenant
  
  
• Full property address, floor/unit, parking/store room (if any)
  
  
• Rent amount + due date + payment method
  
  
• Deposit/advance amount + refund timeline + deduction rules
  
  
• Service charge rules (what it covers, what it doesn’t)
  
  
• Repair responsibilities (owner vs tenant)
  
  
• Notice period + early exit policy
  
  
• Subletting rule (usually “not allowed without written permission”)
  
  
• Inventory list (fan, lights, geyser, AC, stove, etc.)
  
  
• Handover condition (cleaning/painting expectations)
  
  

Pro-tip: add “photo proof”

Add a line: “Both parties agree the move-in condition photos/video are part of the agreement.”
Then store them in Google Drive.

3) Rent Payments: Always Keep Proof (This Saves You in Disputes)

Make payments traceable (bank transfer, mobile financial service, or receipt).

Bangladesh’s rent control framework includes a tenant-protection concept: landlords should issue a signed rent receipt when rent is paid (commonly referenced under Section 13).

House rent tips (Bangladesh):

• Screenshot transfers + save monthly in a folder named: Rent_2026_Jan, Rent_2026_Feb
  
  
• If paying cash, insist on a signed receipt.
  
  

4) Bills 101: Rent Isn’t Your Only Cost

Tenants in Bangladesh often get shocked by “hidden monthly costs.” Here’s the clean breakdown:

Common monthly items

• Rent
  
  
• Service charge (security, cleaner, lift, common lights, water pump—varies)
  
  
• Electricity (prepaid/postpaid; ask if there’s any “line charge”)
  
  
• Gas (metered or fixed; depends on area/building)
  
  
• Water (sometimes included in service charge; sometimes separate)
  
  
• Internet (ISP availability varies by building)
  
  

Ask for a “bill sheet” from previous month

Request a photo of last month’s:

• electricity bill / prepaid recharge history
  
  
• service charge receipt
  
  
• generator charge (if any)
  
  

5) Building Rules That Create Fights (Know Before You Move)

Every building has “silent rules.” Get them written or confirmed in chat:

• Guest policy (overnight guests / “relative rules”)
  
  
• Noise timing (especially for students/remote workers)
  
  
• Parking allocation (one car? bike? guest parking?)
  
  
• Rooftop access & drying clothes
  
  
• Pet policy
  
  
• Renovation drilling hours
  
  
• Security register requirements
  
  

Tip: If the caretaker (কেয়ারটেকার) controls everything, build a good relationship early—your life gets easier.

6) Common Rental Scams in Bangladesh (2026) — and How to Beat Them

Scam #1: “Fake owner / fake broker”

Red flags

• Won’t show documents, rushes for payment, avoids meeting at property
  Fix
  
  
• Pay only after agreement + keys + identity verification.
  
  

Scam #2: “Deposit will be returned… later”

Red flags

• No written refund timeline, vague deductions
  Fix
  
  
• Add a clause: “Deposit will be returned within X days after handover, with written deduction breakdown.”
  
  

Scam #3: Hidden arrears (electricity/service charge)

Red flags

• “Previous tenant didn’t pay—now you pay”
  Fix
  
  
• Put in contract: “Owner confirms no previous arrears; any past arrears are owner responsibility.”
  
  

Scam #4: Sudden rent increase mid-term

A common legal explainer notes restrictions related to rent increases tied to the rent control framework (often discussed around “standard rent” and time limits).
Fix

• Lock rent for the contract period (e.g., 11 months) and specify how increases will be handled at renewal.
  
  

Scam #5: “Pay to visit / pay to book”

If someone asks money just to “hold” without paperwork—avoid.

7) Tenant Verification (Dhaka & Many Cities): Don’t Ignore This

In Dhaka, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) provides a Tenant Registration Form for download/print.
Even if your area doesn’t strictly enforce it every time, doing proper verification is good for:

• safety
  
  
• reducing harassment
  
  
• protecting both landlord and tenant in disputes
  
  

8) Move-In Day: Do These 7 Things (Non-Negotiable)

1. Record meter readings (electricity/gas if applicable)
   
   
2. Take video walkthrough (walls, switches, bathrooms, balcony grills)
   
   
3. Confirm keys (main door, gate, lift access, roof, mailbox)
   
   
4. Write inventory list (sign by both)
   
   
5. Test water + drainage in all bathrooms
   
   
6. Save caretaker/owner contacts + building committee group
   
   
7. Get first month receipt/proof immediately
   
   

9) If Things Go Wrong: The Calm Escalation Path

1. Talk calmly → confirm in writing (WhatsApp message summary)
   
   
2. Send a clear written notice with dates, photos, and what you want
   
   
3. Involve building committee/management for mediation
   
   
4. If serious: consult a lawyer/authority (keep documents ready)
   
   

Copy/paste message template

“Hi, confirming our discussion: On [date], issue was [problem]. Requesting resolution by [deadline]. Attached photos/video. Please confirm.”

FAQ (SEO-friendly)

Q: What should I check before renting a flat in Bangladesh?
Agreement, deposit terms, water/electricity condition, service charge, repair responsibilities, and proof of who controls the property.

Q: Do I need a written rental agreement?
Strongly recommended; common guidance emphasizes written contracts and proper execution on stamp paper to reduce disputes.

Q: Should I keep rent payment proof?
Yes. Tenant protection guidance commonly references that landlords should provide rent receipts when rent is paid.