Most problems with tenants — late payments, damage, disputes over the deposit — can be anticipated at the first meeting. Good selection is not distrust but careful checking that protects both sides. At the same time, a landlord processes personal data and must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Here is how to do both.
Selection starts with the listing. State up front:
Clear terms filter out unsuitable applicants before the viewing and spare you awkward conversations later.
The meeting is the most valuable check. Do not reduce it to showing the rooms. Reasonable questions are:
What not to ask. Questions about ethnicity, religion, health, sexual orientation, political views or plans to have children are inappropriate. These are special categories of data under Article 9 GDPR, you do not need them for the lease, and refusing someone on such grounds may also amount to discrimination under Bulgaria's Protection against Discrimination Act. Assess affordability and attitude, not private life.
A landlord has a legitimate interest in knowing whether the applicant can pay the rent. The legal basis under GDPR is usually taking steps prior to entering into a contract at the applicant's request (Article 6(1)(b)). But the data minimisation principle (Article 5) means asking only for what is necessary.
In practice:
A reference from a previous landlord often says more than an employer's letter. Ask the applicant to give you the previous landlord's contact themselves — that way they know you will call. Ask specific questions: did they pay on time, what state did they leave the property in, did they get their full deposit back?
Before signing, check the identity document — the name and details must match the lease. Put in the lease only the data needed to identify the parties. There is no need to keep a copy or photo of the ID card once the details are in the contract.
The lease should cover at least:
The tenant's view of these clauses is set out in our guide Tenant rights and obligations.
The law sets no amount for the deposit — it is a matter of agreement. What matters is that the lease states what it covers (unpaid rent, bills, damage beyond normal wear and tear), when it is returned and how deductions are accounted for. Normal wear and tear is not damage (Art. 233 of the Obligations and Contracts Act). A well-drafted deposit is also your first protection if the tenant stops paying — the next lawful steps are in Tenant not paying or not leaving.
Without a handover record, a deposit dispute almost always comes down to one word against another. Include:
Do the same at move-out. What a good record looks like is covered in our guide Handover and utility accounts.
If the tenant wants to register their current address at the property, the lease alone is not enough — a written declaration of consent from the owner is also required (Art. 92 of the Civil Registration Act). Agree in advance whether you will give it; for families with children it is often important.
If you want to let a property and would rather the selection went through a professional, call us or come into the office. We will organise the viewings, checks and paperwork so you are protected — and within the law.
This information is general and does not replace individual legal advice. Verified as of October 2026.
