Count the cash you need on signing day

29 October 2026 AI illustration of a bright contemporary apartment living room

The yearly rent is only part of what you need at the start of a lease. On or around signing day, several amounts can fall due together: the first rent payment, the security deposit, any deposits to connect utilities, the movers and basic furniture for the first night. Ask the landlord or broker for a written list of every amount due at signing and at key collection, with the date each one is expected. Keep a small buffer for surprises, such as a curtain rail or a missing appliance. Example: the first payment and the deposit are both due on the same morning, while the movers are booked for the next day. Knowing the day-one total helps you choose a start date your savings can support. Prepared by Masterpiece Property. AI-generated illustration, not a photograph of an actual property or project.

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Omar Abou HamidaProperty Consultant

29 Oct 2026

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