Renting an apartment in Casablanca: steps, paperwork, deposit

Each property belongs to a different owner. The owner sets the rent, the deposit and the terms, after discussing them with the agency. Casa Habitat presents the property, arranges viewings, guides you through the process and prepares the lease. The terms of each property are shown in its listing.

We offer long-term rentals, furnished and unfurnished. The length of the lease depends on your needs: most often one year, but also two, three years or more, if the owner agrees.

Casa Habitat does not ask for documents for itself. Some owners do, to make sure the future tenant is reliable and able to pay, and to avoid disputes during the tenancy: ID, proof of income, employment contract…

• These requests apply to every applicant in the same way, whatever their nationality.
• A guarantor may be requested if the owner wishes, more often for students and interns.

• The rent, shown in the listing.
• The deposit: usually 1 month’s rent for an unfurnished property. For a furnished one, it is often 2 months, sometimes only one depending on the owner. The exact amount is shown in each listing.
• Agency fees: usually 1 month’s rent.
• Paying in advance: if you wish and the owner agrees, you can pay several months, or even a year, in advance. This is then written into the lease.

Charges: unless the listing says otherwise, they are not included in the rent. Water, electricity, building fees (syndic) and internet are then paid by you, on top of the rent. Check this point in the listing and in the lease before committing: it is the most common source of misunderstanding.

Allow about one week between the viewing and the handover of the keys.

• The viewing, on site, or by video if you are abroad.
• The reservation: if you like the property but cannot sign right away, you can reserve it. The agency gives you a receipt, and the property is no longer offered to other applicants.
• Preparing the lease: we send it to you in advance, so you can take the time to read it in full and ask your questions.
• Signing and certification of the signatures (légalisation), with all three parties present (the tenant, the owner and the agency), for greater transparency.
• The handover of the keys, right after the certification. Keys are never handed over at the time of the reservation.

The reservation amount is deducted from your first payment when the lease is signed. It is not refunded if you withdraw from the rental; it is returned to you if the owner withdraws or does not accept your application. Only reserve after seeing the photos and viewing the property, on site or by video.

Depending on the owner’s requirements, an inventory of the property’s condition is drawn up when you move in and when you move out. Take the time to read it and point out any defect before signing: it prevents many disagreements when you leave.

In Morocco, residential rentals are governed by Law No. 67-12. If you have any doubt about your rights or obligations, seek advice from a legal professional.

For a breakdown or maintenance, contact the owner. In case of a disagreement with the owner, you can contact Casa Habitat, which will try to help the dialogue. Its role remains limited, however: the agency is neither an arbitrator nor a judge, and everyone remains bound by the lease.

For a short stay, only an ID document is required: a photo sent to us, or shown to the concierge on arrival, for everyone’s safety. The keys are handed over on site, when you arrive, at the time of payment.

Would you rather talk in person? We welcome you by appointment at our office in the Socrate district of Casablanca, Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Book an appointment by WhatsApp or phone.