First contact and viewing a flat

When you first message or call a landlord or agency, be clear about what you need: dates, price, bills and basic conditions. Here are phrases you can use when arranging a viewing and asking first questions.

Introducing yourself and asking if the flat is available

Dobar dan, zovem se … . — Good day, my name is …. (DOH-bar dahn, ZO-vem seh …)

Vidjela sam oglas za stan. — I saw the ad for the apartment. (VEED-yeh-la saam OG-las za stahn) — said by a woman.

Vidio sam oglas za stan. — I saw the ad for the apartment. (VEE-dee-oh sahm OG-las za stahn) — said by a man.

Je li stan još uvijek slobodan? — Is the flat still available? (YEH lee stahn yosh OO-vyenk SLO-boh-dahn?)

Za koliko osoba je stan? — For how many people is the flat? (zah KOL-ee-koh OH-so-bah yeh stahn?)

Asking about rent and utilities

Kolika je mjesečna najamnina? — What is the monthly rent? (KOH-lee-kah yeh MYEH-sech-nah nai-am-NEE-nah?)

Jesu li režije uključene u cijenu? — Are utilities included in the price? (YEH-soo lee REH-zhee-yeh ook-LYOO-cheh-neh oo TSEE-yeh-noo?)

Koliko prosječno iznose režije? — How much are the utilities on average? (KOH-lee-koh PROH-syech-no IZ-no-se REH-zhee-yeh?)

Je li internet uključen? — Is internet included? (YEH lee IN-ter-net ook-LYOO-chen?)

Arranging a viewing

Možemo li dogovoriti razgledavanje stana? — Can we arrange a viewing of the flat? (MOH-zhe-moh lee doh-goh-VOH-ree-tee raz-gleh-DAH-va-nyeh STAH-nah?)

Kada vam odgovara da dođem? — When is a good time for me to come? (KAH-dah vahm od-goh-VAH-rah dah DOH-jem?)

Mogu li doći danas / sutra / ovaj tjedan? — Can I come today / tomorrow / this week? (MOH-goo lee DOH-chee DAH-nas / SOO-trah / OH-vai TYEH-dahn?)

Možete li mi poslati adresu porukom? — Can you send me the address by message? (MOH-zhe-te lee mee POH-sla-tee ah-DRE-soo POH-roo-kom?)

For more everyday survival phrases (greetings, numbers, days, and more), you can also check 50 Essential Croatian Phrases for Everyday Life.

Signing the lease: key words and phrases

When you decide to rent a place, you will probably see or hear these words:

ugovor — contract (OO-goh-vor)

ugovor o najmu stana — apartment rental contract (OO-goh-vor oh NAI-moo STAH-nah)

najam — rent, renting (NAI-am)

stanar — tenant (STAH-nar)

vlasnik — owner, landlord (VLAHS-neek)

depozit / polog — deposit (DEH-poh-zit / POH-log)

Asking about the contract

Hoćemo li potpisati ugovor o najmu? — Will we sign a rental contract? (HOH-cheh-moh lee pot-PEE-sah-tee OO-goh-vor oh NAI-moo?)

Možete li mi poslati ugovor unaprijed? — Can you send me the contract in advance? (MOH-zhe-te lee mee POH-sla-tee OO-goh-vor oo-NAH-pryed?)

Na koliko se vremena potpisuje ugovor? — For how long is the contract signed? (nah KOH-lee-koh seh VREH-meh-nah pot-PEE-soo-yeh OO-goh-vor?)

Koliki je depozit? — How much is the deposit? (KOH-lee-kee yeh DEH-poh-zit?)

Kada vraćate depozit? — When do you return the deposit? (KAH-dah VRAH-cha-te DEH-poh-zit?)

Your data and registration

Trebate li moj OIB ili putovnicu? — Do you need my OIB (tax number) or passport? (TREH-bah-te lee moy OYB ee-lee poo-TOHV-neet-soo?)

Hoćete li me prijaviti na ovoj adresi? — Will you register me at this address? (HOH-che-te lee meh pree-YAH-vee-tee nah OH-voi ah-DRE-see?)

Hoće li moje ime biti na ugovoru? — Will my name be on the contract? (HOH-cheh lee MOH-yeh EE-meh BEE-tee nah OO-goh-vo-roo?)

Moving in: keys, readings and repairs

On moving day, it helps to confirm how many keys you get, where meters are and who to call if something breaks.

Keys and access

Koliko ključeva dobivam? — How many keys do I get? (KOH-lee-koh KLYOO-cheh-vah DOH-bee-vahm?)

Imam li ključ od zgrade i od sandučića? — Do I have a key for the building and the mailbox? (EE-mahm lee KLYOOCH od ZGRAH-deh ee od SAHN-doo-chee-chah?)

Što da radim ako se zaključam vani? — What should I do if I lock myself out? (SHTOH dah RAH-deem AH-koh seh zah-KLYOO-chahm VAH-nee?)

Meter readings and bills

Možemo li zapisati početno stanje brojila? — Can we write down the initial meter readings? (MOH-zhe-moh lee zah-PEE-sah-tee POH-cheht-no STAH-nyeh BROY-ee-lah?)

Gdje su brojila za struju, vodu i plin? — Where are the meters for electricity, water and gas? (GDYEH soo BROY-ee-lah zah STROO-yoo, VOH-doo ee PLEEN?)

Tko plaća pričuvu i komunalije? — Who pays the building fee and communal charges? (TKOH PLAH-chah PREE-choo-voo ee koh-moo-NAH-lee-yeh?)

Who to contact for repairs

Koga da zovem ako nešto ne radi? — Who should I call if something is not working? (KOH-gah dah ZOH-vem AH-koh NESH-toh neh RAH-dee?)

Imate li majstora za plin / vodu / struju? — Do you have a repair person for gas / water / electricity? (EE-mah-te lee MAI-stoh-rah zah PLEEN / VOH-doo / STROO-yoo?)

Mogu li vas nazvati i navečer ili vikendom? — Can I call you also in the evening or on weekends? (MOH-goo lee vahs NAH-zvah-tee ee nah-VEH-cher ee-lee VEE-ken-dom?)

If you need to talk about collecting parcels or registered letters, you may also like Croatian Phrases for the Post Office.

Reporting problems: boilers, leaks and neighbours

When something goes wrong, simple, calm language helps your landlord understand the problem quickly.

No hot water or heating

Nema tople vode. — There is no hot water. (NEH-mah TOP-leh VOH-deh)

Boiler ne radi. — The boiler is not working. (BOY-ler neh RAH-dee)

Grijanje ne radi. — The heating is not working. (GREE-yah-nyeh neh RAH-dee)

Možete li poslati majstora što prije? — Can you send a repair person as soon as possible? (MOH-zhe-te lee POH-sla-tee MAI-stoh-rah shtoh PREE-yeh?)

Leaks and damage

Curi voda iz slavine. — Water is leaking from the tap. (TSOO-ree VOH-dah eez SLAH-vee-neh)

Imamo curenje iz krova. — We have a leak from the roof. (EE-mah-mo tsoo-REH-nyeh eez KROH-vah)

Strop je mokar. — The ceiling is wet. (STROHP yeh MOH-kar)

Zid je puknuo. — The wall has cracked. (ZEED yeh POOK-noo-oh)

Stan se počeo plijesniti. — The flat has started to get mouldy. (stahn seh POH-cheh-oh PLYEH-snee-tee)

Noisy neighbours and building issues

Susedi su jako bučni. — The neighbours are very noisy. (SOO-seh-dee soo YAH-koh BOOCH-nee)

Netko često pušta glasnu glazbu. — Someone often plays loud music. (NET-koh CHES-toh POOSH-tah GLAS-noo GLAHZ-boo)

Možete li razgovarati s njima? — Can you talk to them? (MOH-zhe-te lee raz-goh-VAH-rah-tee s NYEE-mah?)

Lift ne radi. — The elevator is not working. (leeft neh RAH-dee)

Ulazna vrata se ne zatvaraju dobro. — The main entrance door does not close properly. (OO-laz-nah VRAH-tah seh neh zah-TVAI-rah-yoo DOH-broh)

When you feel more confident, small talk in the hallway can really help your relationship with both neighbours and your landlord. A separate guide to Croatian small talk phrases is coming soon.

Paying rent: bank transfer, cash and receipts

Many Croatian landlords prefer bank transfer, but some still like cash. Clarify how, when and to which account you should pay.

Agreeing how to pay

Kako želite da plaćam stanarinu? — How would you like me to pay the rent? (KAH-koh ZHEH-lee-te dah PLAH-chahm stah-nah-REE-noo?)

Hoću li plaćati na račun ili u gotovini? — Will I pay to a bank account or in cash? (HOH-choo lee PLAH-chah-tee nah rah-CHOON ee-lee oo goh-toh-VEE-nee?)

Možete li mi poslati podatke za plaćanje? — Can you send me the payment details? (MOH-zhe-te lee mee POH-sla-tee poh-DAHT-keh zah PLAH-chah-nyeh?)

Bank transfer phrases

Koji je vaš IBAN? — What is your IBAN? (KOH-yee yeh vahsh EE-bahn?)

Do kojeg datuma trebam uplatiti najamninu? — By which date do I need to pay the rent? (doh KOH-yehg DAH-too-ma TREH-bahm oo-PLAH-tee-tee nai-am-NEE-noo?)

Poslala sam uplatu danas. — I sent the payment today. (POHS-lah-lah sahm OO-plah-too DAH-nas) — said by a woman.

Poslao sam uplatu danas. — I sent the payment today. (POHS-lah-oh sahm OO-plah-too DAH-nas) — said by a man.

Možete li potvrditi da je uplata stigla? — Can you confirm that the payment arrived? (MOH-zhe-te lee pot-VRDEE-tee dah yeh OO-plah-tah STEE-glah?)

Cash and receipts

Primajte li stanarinu u gotovini? — Do you accept rent in cash? (PREE-mai-te lee stah-nah-REE-noo oo goh-toh-VEE-nee?)

Možete li mi dati potvrdu ili račun? — Can you give me a receipt or invoice? (MOH-zhe-te lee mee DAH-tee POT-vr-doo ee-lee rah-CHOON?)

Platila sam stanarinu za ovaj mjesec. — I paid the rent for this month. (PLAH-tee-lah sahm stah-nah-REE-noo zah OH-vai MYEH-sehts) — said by a woman.

Platio sam stanarinu za ovaj mjesec. — I paid the rent for this month. (PLAH-tee-oh sahm stah-nah-REE-noo zah OH-vai MYEH-sehts) — said by a man.

Moving out: notice and getting your deposit back

When it is time to leave, it is important to be clear about notice periods, cleaning and the deposit.

Giving notice

Želim raskinuti ugovor o najmu. — I want to terminate the rental contract. (ZHEH-leem rahs-KEE-noo-tee OO-goh-vor oh NAI-moo.)

Koji je otkazni rok? — What is the notice period? (KOH-yee yeh OHT-kahz-nee rohk?)

Od kada do kada traje otkazni rok? — From when to when does the notice period last? (od KAH-dah doh KAH-dah TRAH-yeh OHT-kahz-nee rohk?)

Zadnji dan najma bit će … . — The last day of the rental will be …. (ZAH-dnyee dahn NAI-ma beet cheh …)

Final inspection and deposit

Možemo li dogovoriti pregled stana prije odlaska? — Can we arrange an inspection of the flat before I leave? (MOH-zhe-moh lee doh-goh-VOH-ree-tee PREG-led STAH-nah PREE-yeh OD-lah-skah?)

Što sve trebam očistiti prije nego odem? — What exactly do I need to clean before I leave? (SHTOH sveh TREH-bahm OH-chee-stee-tee PREE-yeh NEH-goh OH-dem?)

Kada ćete vratiti depozit? — When will you return the deposit? (KAH-dah CHEH-te VRAH-tee-tee DEH-poh-zit?)

Hoće li biti odbitaka od depozita? — Will there be any deductions from the deposit? (HOH-cheh lee BEE-tee od-BEE-tah-kah od deh-POH-zee-tah?)

Molim vas, možete li mi to napisati? — Please, can you put that in writing for me? (MOH-leem vahs, MOH-zhe-te lee mee toh nah-pee-SAH-tee?)

Cultural note: talking to Croatian landlords (Vi vs ti)

Relationships with Croatian landlords can range from very formal to almost like extended family. A lot depends on age, location and personality. When in doubt, start more formally and let the landlord guide how informal things become.

Using Vi (formal you)

With your landlord, the safe default is Vi — the polite, plural form of “you”. Use Vi with older people, people you have just met, or anyone in a professional context.

Kako ste? — How are you? (KAH-koh steh?) — formal.

Možete li mi pomoći? — Can you help me? (MOH-zhe-te lee mee poh-MO-chee?) — formal.

Sometimes a friendly landlord might switch to the informal ti and invite you to do the same. They might say:

Možemo na ti? — Can we use ti? (MOH-zhe-moh nah tee?)

Using ti (informal you)

Use ti with people your own age or younger once you both agree it is comfortable. Still, many Croatians keep Vi with their landlord, especially if the relationship is mostly about money and repairs.

If a landlord offers ti and you want to accept, you can say:

Može, hvala. — Sure, thank you. (MOH-zhe, HVAH-lah.)

If you would rather stay formal, you can smile and keep using Vi. Most Croatians understand that foreigners feel safer with polite forms.

For getting more comfortable with everyday greetings and chit-chat beyond landlord talk, keep an eye out for our guide to Croatian small talk phrases.

Keep calm and build your landlord Croatian

You do not have to speak perfect Croatian to have a good relationship with your landlord. Even a few of these phrases, spoken slowly and kindly, can show respect and make communication much smoother.

Pick two or three phrases from each section that match your real life right now: maybe vjewing a flat, maybe reporting a problem. Say them aloud a few times, or write them on a note near your front door for the next time the landlord calls.

If you would like more support with everyday Croatian, start with the 50 Essential Croatian Phrases and the Croatian Pronunciation Guide. Step by step, your Croatian can become a calm, practical tool for daily life here.