What to Check in a Hurghada Rental Contract

Short answer

Before paying a deposit, verify the landlord or representative, inspect the exact unit named in the agreement, record the furniture and meter readings, list every recurring charge, and write the term, renewal, notice, early-exit and deposit-return process into the contract.

A useful agreement should not leave questions such as “who repairs the air conditioner?”, “is compound maintenance included?”, “can guests stay?” or “when is the deposit refunded?” to a future verbal discussion.

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A new lease is not the same as Egypt’s “Old Rent” headlines

Egypt adopted legislation in 2025 that is widely described as reform of the “Old Rent” system. Official explanations connect Law 164/2025 to historic rental relationships governed by Laws 49/1977 and 136/1981. That does not mean every new six- or twelve-month lease automatically follows the transition periods and rent figures discussed in those reports.

A modern rental by a foreign tenant should be assessed through the actual agreement, applicable rules and intended use. If registration, eviction, tax, residency evidence or enforceability matters to you, have a local independent lawyer review the draft before payment.

Verify who is letting the property

Request:

• the landlord’s identity document;
• a document connecting that person to the unit;
• contact details for formal notices;
• a Power of Attorney when a representative signs;
• proof that the representative can receive rent and deposit;
• management-company details when it controls access or registration.

The payment recipient should be explainable from the documents. If money is requested to a relative, agent or unrelated person, ask for the written authority and basis. Do not pay simply to “hold the apartment” before checking the unit and recipient.

Essential contract fields

Section	What should be clear
Parties	Full names, IDs, addresses and contacts
Property	Full address, building, floor, unit number, area and permitted use
Term	Start/end dates and renewal mechanism
Rent	Amount, currency, due date and payment method
Deposit	Amount, purpose, deduction grounds and refund deadline
Charges	Electricity, water, gas, internet, service, cleaning and parking
Condition	Inventory, appliance list, photos and meter readings
Repairs	Responsibility for minor, major and pre-existing defects
Rules	Guests, pets, smoking, subletting and shared facilities
Early exit	Notice, penalties and final-month calculation
Handover	Keys, cards, check-in and check-out record
Language	Signed versions and how a conflict between texts is handled

If an important term is missing, add it before signature rather than trying to agree it after a dispute.

Deposit and refund conditions

The agreement should state:

• the exact deposit amount and currency;
• evidence that it was received;
• whether it can be used as the last month’s rent;
• which damage is the tenant’s responsibility;
• whether ordinary wear is excluded from deductions;
• whether unpaid utilities may be deducted;
• which invoices or evidence support repair deductions;
• the deadline for returning the balance;
• the refund method;
• what happens on early termination.

“Refunded after inspection” is too vague. Add a process: joint inspection, final readings, written claims, supporting invoices and a settlement date.

Do not hand over cash without a receipt. For transfers, preserve the payment reference and transaction confirmation.

Rent, currency and payment evidence

Hurghada rent may be discussed in Egyptian pounds, US dollars or euros. The agreement should answer:

• which currency defines the obligation;
• whether another currency can be used for payment;
• which exchange source and date apply;
• who pays transfer fees;
• when and where payment is due;
• what receipt or confirmation the tenant receives.

Do not leave the exchange rate to a new verbal decision every month. Any currency formula should be unambiguous and legally workable.

Utilities and recurring charges

Create a separate schedule:

electricity — payer, meter number and opening reading
water — individual meter or shared allocation
gas — availability and payer
internet — included, transferred or newly installed
compound service — included in rent or separate
parking — assigned space and charge
access cards — issue, replacement and return deposit
cleaning/pool servicing — where applicable

Ask for recent bills or a clear calculation method. In an air-conditioned property, electricity consumption can change significantly by season and usage, so “utilities are cheap” is not a budget.

Inventory and condition report

A furnished lease annex should list:

• furniture by room;
• appliance brand and condition;
• air conditioners and remote controls;
• mattresses, linen and kitchen items where supplied;
• the number of keys and access cards;
• visible damage;
• date-stamped photos or video;
• meter readings;
• walls, windows, plumbing and electrical condition.

Test the air conditioning, water heater, fridge, cooker, washing machine, internet, water pressure and locks before signing the handover record. Do not mark an existing defect as “working” in exchange for an open-ended promise to repair it later.

Repairs and maintenance

Separate at least three situations:

1. a defect that existed before check-in;
2. ordinary wear or equipment failure without tenant fault;
3. damage caused by the tenant or a guest.

Clarify:

• who calls the contractor;
• whether written approval is needed before spending;
• who pays for air conditioning, pumps, heaters and appliances;
• the response expected when water, power or secure access fails;
• whether the tenant can arrange an urgent repair and claim the cost;
• who handles building-wide failures.

Without this allocation, even a small repair can become a deposit dispute.

Guests, pets and compound rules

Check before move-in:

• whether pets are allowed;
• the permitted number of occupants;
• whether tenants and visitors must register with security;
• smoking restrictions;
• whether working from home is acceptable;
• whether subletting is prohibited;
• access to pools, beach, gym and parking;
• cards or extra charges;
• quiet hours and event restrictions.

When an advertisement promises a pool or beach, confirm the tenant’s rights separately. Owner access and tenant access may differ.

Renewal, notice and early exit

The contract should explain:

• whether it renews automatically;
• how far in advance either side must give notice;
• whether rent may change on renewal;
• whether the tenant can leave early;
• which amount is retained on early exit;
• what happens if the landlord seeks early possession;
• how notice is served: letter, email, message or signed delivery;
• when the unit is legally and practically handed back.

Do not rely on “just tell me one month before”. Define the date, form and financial consequences.

Move-out and deposit return

Before the end of the lease:

1. agree a joint inspection date;
2. settle the agreed bills;
3. record final meter readings;
4. photograph the condition;
5. return keys and cards under a written record;
6. obtain the written list of deductions;
7. preserve evidence of handover;
8. confirm the date and method for refunding the balance.

Do not postpone the refund discussion until after departure, when the inspection cannot be repeated easily.

Red flags

Be cautious when:

• the unit cannot be inspected in person or through a reliable live video call;
• the owner and payment recipient are different without supporting documents;
• the address or unit number is absent from the agreement;
• a deposit is requested before a draft contract is provided;
• utilities and service charges are described only as “actual cost” without a method;
• a furnished unit has no inventory;
• the landlord can retain the deposit “at discretion”;
• promised beach, internet or parking is absent from writing;
• the landlord refuses to acknowledge payments;
• urgency is created through another unverifiable “ready tenant”.

Pre-payment checklist

[ ] Landlord identity and authority verified
[ ] Unit and address match the agreement
[ ] Term and renewal are clear
[ ] Currency and exchange method defined
[ ] Deposit and refund procedure written
[ ] All recurring charges listed
[ ] Opening meter readings recorded
[ ] Inventory and photos attached
[ ] Repair responsibility allocated
[ ] Guest, pet and facility rules understood
[ ] Early exit and notice written
[ ] Move-out and key return described
[ ] Signed language versions reviewed

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Frequently asked questions

What is a normal rental deposit?

There is no single amount for every property. It depends on the agreement, furniture, term and negotiation. The important protection is a written purpose, deduction standard and refund deadline.

Can the deposit be used for the final month?

Only if the agreement permits it. Otherwise the landlord may treat the final month as unpaid while keeping the deposit as separate security.

Is a signed furniture inventory necessary?

For a furnished unit, it is one of the main protections for both sides. The inventory and photos reduce disagreement over what was supplied and its condition.

Does the 2025 Old Rent reform apply to my new annual contract?

Do not assume that it does. Official explanations concern defined historic rental relationships. A modern lease should be reviewed on its own terms.

Can the owner’s representative sign the lease?

This is possible when valid authority covers the lease and receipt of funds. Verify the Power of Attorney and the representative’s identity.

Legal disclaimer

This material is a practical checklist, not legal advice. Registration, enforceability and document requirements depend on the facts and intended use and may change. Use independent local legal review for significant or disputed arrangements.

Sources and verification date

This guide was last verified on 23 August 2026. The official sources below explain the scope of Law 164/2025 and the practical role of a Power of Attorney when a representative manages a rental. They do not set universal terms for every new lease.