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Move-In Cash Calculator
The lease signing is the peak of the cash curve. Enter the local terms and see the full stack before you agree to them.
Agency fees are restricted or banned in some markets. Set the weeks to zero when the landlord pays the agent.
The stack, not just the deposit
The deposit is the line people plan for, but the signing payment often includes an agency fee, one or more months of advance rent, utility deposits and a contract fee. In markets where the tenant pays the agent, the agency fee alone can add two to four weeks of rent.
Convert every line into months of rent. A stack above three months is common in expensive markets, and it is the number to compare against the cash you will have after flights and shipping.
Check what the local law allows
Deposit caps and agency fees are regulated in many jurisdictions, and the rules differ between long-term leases and short-term furnished rentals. Before paying, ask for the breakdown in writing and check whether each line is permitted where you are signing. A fee that is customary is not automatically lawful.
Frequently asked questions
Is the agency fee always paid by the tenant?
No. In some markets the landlord pays the agent, and in others tenant fees are capped or banned. Enter zero when the tenant does not pay it.
Should I include the first month's rent?
Yes if it is paid at signing and is not already covered by advance rent. The calculator counts it as advance rent; do not enter the same month twice.
Why express the total in months of rent?
It normalises the answer across cities and currencies. A stack of three months is comparable whether the rent is 800 or 2,400.
Are utility deposits refundable?
Often, but not always. Treat them as cash you must have available even if you expect them back at the end of the contract.