A tenant can terminate a fixed-term housing lease with at least 60 days' notice. A clause that removes this right is deemed unwritten (Civil Code, Art. 1825).
The landlord registers the lease with ANAF on form C168. A registered lease is an enforceable title for the rent and for handing the home back at the end of the term.
The Civil Code sets no amount for a deposit. Write down the amount, currency, return deadline and deductions, and sign a handover report with photos and meter readings.
Renting in Bucharest as a tenant: the short answer
A residential lease in Romania is governed by the Civil Code (Articles 1777 to 1835, with special rules for housing from Article 1824). Four rules matter most to a tenant. On a fixed-term lease, you can leave early with at least 60 days' notice, and any clause that says otherwise is void (Article 1825). The landlord carries the necessary repairs; you carry routine maintenance (Articles 1788 and 1802). Eviction needs a court ruling unless the law provides otherwise (Article 1831). And a lease registered with the tax authority (ANAF) becomes an enforceable title, for the rent and for handing the home back at the end of the term (Articles 1798 and 1809).
The registration is the landlord's duty, not yours. But it changes your position, so ask for it.
In plain words: a written, registered lease protects both sides; read the notice, repair and deposit clauses before you sign, not when you move out.
Many families who move to Bucharest rent first and buy later. Our article on renting or buying when relocating to Bucharest covers that decision. This one covers the lease itself.
What renting costs in Bucharest in 2026
According to Anunțul Telefonic data for June 2026, published on the City of Bucharest portal, the average asking rent was about €350 for a studio, €533 for two rooms, €751 for three rooms and €2,420 for a house or villa. These are asking prices in listings. In the north of the city, near the international schools, rents are above average.
Budget for the move-in too: the first month's rent, a deposit, and an agency fee if you use an agent. Our guide to real estate agent commission in Romania explains who usually pays it.
The lease: what the Civil Code says
| Rule | What it means for you | Civil Code |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-term lease: tenant may terminate early with at least 60 days' notice | You are not locked in; a clause that removes this right is "deemed unwritten" | Art. 1825(1) |
| Landlord may end a fixed-term lease early only if the contract allows it for their own or family housing needs | Then the landlord must give at least 60 days' notice (monthly rent) | Art. 1825(2), 1824(2) |
| Lease with no fixed term: landlord's notice at least 60 days if rent is monthly | Time to find a new home | Art. 1824(2) |
| Lease with no fixed term: tenant's notice at least a quarter of the rent period | With monthly rent, about a week, unless the contract says more | Art. 1824(1) |
| Lease ends automatically at the agreed term | No notice needed at the end of a fixed term | Art. 1809(1) |
| If you stay on and pay with no objection, a new lease starts on the same terms, for an indefinite period | Check whether your contract says otherwise | Art. 1810 |
| You have a right of preference for a new lease of the home, on equal terms | If you met your obligations | Art. 1828 |
| Eviction is by court ruling, unless the law provides otherwise | The landlord cannot simply change the locks | Art. 1831 |
Unfair clauses are void. Article 1826 strikes out any clause that forces you to insure with an insurer the landlord chooses, makes you pay in advance for repairs estimated only by the landlord, or lets the landlord cut services without an equivalent reduction.
If the home is sold. Your lease binds the new owner if it was noted in the land register (Article 1811). For a long lease, ask for the notation.
Subletting. You may sublet or assign the lease of a home only with the landlord's written consent (Article 1833).
Registering the lease with ANAF
When an individual rents out a home, the landlord must register the lease with the tax office by filing form C168 with a copy of the contract. It can be filed in person, by post or online through the ANAF virtual space (SPV). The landlord also registers changes and the end of the lease.
A written, registered lease protects both sides; read the notice, repair and deposit clauses before you sign, not when you move out.
Why it matters to you:
- It is an enforceable title for the rent. A registered private lease, like a notarised one, can be enforced for unpaid rent without a court case (Article 1798).
- It is also an enforceable title for handing the home back at the end of a fixed term (Article 1809(3)). So a registered lease gives the landlord a faster route at the end. Know your end date.
- It is a dated, official paper. A registration number and date help when you need to prove where you live.
If you need the lease for a residence permit, ask the immigration office (IGI) which form of contract it accepts. Our guide to your first 90 days in Bucharest shows where the lease fits in the calendar.
The deposit
The Civil Code sets no amount or cap for a security deposit. It is purely a matter of contract. So write it down:
- The amount and the currency. If the rent is in euros, say whether the deposit is returned in euros or in lei, and at which rate.
- The deadline for return after you hand back the keys.
- What can be deducted: unpaid rent, unpaid bills, damage beyond normal wear.
- The handover report (proces-verbal de predare-primire), signed by both sides, with photos and meter readings. It is the document every deduction will be measured against.
Pay the deposit and the rent by bank transfer, with a reference, and keep the receipts.
Repairs: who pays for what
- The landlord must make all repairs needed to keep the home usable for the agreed purpose throughout the lease (Article 1788(1)).
- The tenant carries routine "tenant repairs" that result from ordinary use (Articles 1788(2) and 1802): a dripping tap, a light switch, a door handle.
- Tell the landlord at once when a repair is needed (Article 1801). If the landlord does not act in time, you may do the repair and claim the cost with interest (Article 1788).
- Urgent repairs that take more than 10 days reduce the rent in proportion; if the home becomes unusable, you may terminate (Article 1803).
- A serious health hazard in the structure or condition of the home lets you terminate, even if you waived the right (Article 1827).
Utilities and the owners' association
In an apartment building, tenants contribute to the costs of lighting, heating and cleaning the common areas, and to other costs the law puts on them (Article 1829). In practice, Bucharest flats have a monthly maintenance bill from the owners' association (asociația de proprietari), and separate bills for electricity, gas, internet and sometimes water or heating.
Agree in writing:
- Whose name each contract is in. Bills can stay in the landlord's name and be paid by you, or be moved to your name. Either works if the contract says so.
- Meter readings on day one, in the handover report.
- Who pays the owners' association bill, and which items in it, for example the repair fund.
Our guide to utility contracts in Romania explains suppliers and switching.
Checklist before you sign
- Ownership. Ask for a land register extract (extras de carte funciară) to confirm the landlord owns the home and to see any mortgage.
- The building. In Bucharest, check whether the building is on the seismic risk list; see our article on earthquake risk in Bucharest.
- A written lease in Romanian, with a translation you understand.
- The term and the notice clauses, checked against Articles 1824 and 1825.
- The deposit clause and the handover report.
- Repairs and utilities, in writing.
- Registration with ANAF: ask the landlord to confirm it and give you the registration number.
- Your tax number. Before you have a personal numeric code (CNP), landlords and utilities may ask for a tax identification number (NIF).
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave a fixed-term lease in Romania early?
Yes. Under Article 1825(1) of the Civil Code, a tenant can terminate a fixed-term housing lease with at least 60 days' notice. A clause that removes this right is deemed unwritten.
Who registers a lease with ANAF, the tenant or the landlord?
The landlord. An individual who rents out a home files form C168 with a copy of the lease at the tax office or online. Ask the landlord for the registration number.
How much is the deposit when renting in Bucharest?
The law sets no amount. The deposit is agreed in the contract, so write down the amount, the currency, the return deadline and what can be deducted, and sign a handover report with photos and meter readings.
Who pays for repairs in a rented flat in Romania?
The landlord pays for the repairs needed to keep the home usable; the tenant pays for routine repairs from ordinary use. Tell the landlord at once when something needs fixing.
Can the landlord evict me without going to court?
As a rule, no: eviction needs a court ruling unless the law provides otherwise (Article 1831). A notarised lease, or a fixed-term lease registered with ANAF, is an enforceable title for handing the home back when the term ends, so know your end date.
The bottom line
Renting first is a sensible way to learn Bucharest before you buy. The Civil Code gives tenants real protections: 60 days' notice to leave a fixed-term lease, necessary repairs on the landlord, and a ban on several unfair clauses. Your job is to get the rest in writing: the deposit, the utilities, the handover report and the end date.
If you are renting now and planning to buy later, book a half-hour call with me. We will go through the areas you are living in and what to look for when the time comes to buy.
Moti Azulay, Compass Group Romania
Sources: Romanian Civil Code, Law 287/2009 (legislatie.just.ro), Articles 1788, 1798, 1801–1803, 1809–1811, 1824–1833 · ANAF, guidance on renting out personal property and form C168 · City of Bucharest portal, Anunțul Telefonic rent data, June 2026 · ANCPI, land register extracts
This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. The rules are current as of 22 October 2026. Before you sign a lease, have it reviewed by an independent lawyer.
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This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult local professionals before any transaction.
