Be prepared to pay the first month’s rent, along with a two-month security deposit, upon signing a lease agreement. Tenants also need to pay the agreed real estate commission, unless they found the apartment through other means. Utility expenses should not begin until the start of the lease term, and do not require any initial deposits. If the apartment is new, the landlord should take on any set-up costs for water, phone lines and other such facilities. If the landlord chooses to register the lease with the local authorities, the tenant must share the resulting stamp duty (0.05% of the rent each).­­­