Lease

A lease is a binding legal agreement that gives you the right to use a property—typically an apartment, house, or commercial space—for a fixed period in exchange for regular rent payments. For expats, understanding lease terms is crucial since rental agreements vary significantly by country in length, deposit requirements, tenant protections, and termination conditions. Before signing, you'll need to know what responsibilities fall on you versus the landlord, what happens if you need to leave early, and how disputes are handled under local law.