Who Pays Electricity, Water, Internet, and Association Dues in a Philippine Rental?
Rent, utilities, and association dues are separate legal obligations in the Philippines — here is who is actually responsible for electricity, water, internet, and…
Rent a home
Renting in the Philippines
Build a realistic budget, inspect the unit, understand the lease and protect yourself from move-in through move-out.
Start here
Beginner’s Guide to Renting an Apartment in the Philippines
A complete path from budgeting and viewing to signing, paying and moving in.
Read the guide →
1. Budget and compare
2. Research and verify
3. Sign and pay
4. Move and resolve
Latest in this guide desk
Updates and supporting guides
Holdover Tenant in the Philippines: What Happens When a Lease Ends but the Tenant Stays
A tenant who stays after the lease ends is either covered by an automatic implied renewal or facing unlawful detainer, depending on whether the…
Lease Renewal in the Philippines: Can the Landlord Change the Rent or Terms?
When a Philippine lease ends, renewal is not automatic on the old rent — but an implied renewal (tacita reconduccion) under the Civil Code…
Tenant Rights in the Philippines: Complete Renter’s Guide
Philippine tenants have enforceable rights under the Civil Code and the Rent Control Act (RA 9653) — from capped rent increases and refundable deposits…
Barangay Conciliation for Rental Disputes: The Step Before Court
Barangay conciliation is not automatically required for every Philippine rental dispute. It is a pre-litigation process under the Local Government Code when the parties…
Rental Payment Methods Compared: GCash, Bank Transfer, PDCs, or Cash?
Every rent payment method involves a tradeoff between convenience, documentation, and risk — and the “traditional” default many Philippine landlords still reach for (post-dated…
Subleasing: Should You Allow It? Risks and How to Write the Clause
Most landlords assume subleasing is either always allowed or always prohibited, when the actual legal default depends on what your specific lease says —…
Notarized vs Non-Notarized Lease: Does Your Contract Need a Notary?
The question “does my lease need to be notarized” has a short legal answer and a longer practical answer, and most of the confusion…
Handling Repairs and Maintenance: What Landlords Must Pay For by Law
Philippine landlords are generally responsible for repairs needed to keep a leased property fit for its intended use, while tenants are responsible for damage…
How to Write a Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist That Protects You
Nearly every security deposit dispute boils down to the same underlying problem: two people disagreeing about what condition the unit was actually in at…