陷阱一：假廣告與詐騙出租Pitfall 1: Fake listings and rental scams陷阱一：假广告与诈骗出租
網上充斥低價優質的「筍盤」，部分是真實房源被盜圖後轉發，目的是誘使租客先付訂金或押金。常見警示：要求在見房前匯款、聲稱房東在海外、以各種原因拒絕實地看房。安全做法：只透過知名平台（Rightmove、Zoopla）或有牌中介尋房，在確認身份並親身看房前，絕不匯款。Online platforms are flooded with suspiciously well-priced properties, some of which are stolen listings posted by fraudsters to extract deposits before viewings. Red flags include requests for payment before seeing the property, landlords claiming to be overseas, or persistent refusals to allow in-person viewings. Stay safe by using established platforms (Rightmove, Zoopla) or licensed agents, and never transfer money until you have confirmed the landlord's identity and viewed the property in person.网上充斥低价优质的"笋盘"，部分是真实房源被盗图后转发，目的是诱使租客先付订金或押金。常见警示：要求在见房前汇款、声称房东在海外、以各种原因拒绝实地看房。安全做法：只透过知名平台（Rightmove、Zoopla）或有牌中介寻房，在确认身份并亲身看房前，绝不汇款。
陷阱二：押金不入保護計劃Pitfall 2: Deposit not protected陷阱二：押金不入保护计划
英格蘭法例規定，房東必須在收到押金後 30 日內將押金存入政府認可的保護計劃（DPS、MyDeposits 或 TDS），並向租客提供相關文件。若未有依法保護，租客可申請高達押金三倍的賠償。入住後應主動向房東確認押金已入保護，並索取文件。English law requires landlords to place deposits in a government-approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits or TDS) within 30 days and provide tenants with Prescribed Information. Failure to do so entitles tenants to claim compensation of up to three times the deposit amount. After moving in, proactively confirm the deposit has been protected and request the documentation.英格兰法例规定，房东必须在收到押金后 30 日内将押金存入政府认可的保护计划（DPS、MyDeposits 或 TDS），并向租客提供相关文件。若未有依法保护，租客可申请高达押金三倍的赔偿。入住后应主动向房东确认押金已入保护，并索取文件。
陷阱三：隱藏費用Pitfall 3: Hidden charges陷阱三：隐藏费用
2019 年《租客費用法》禁止中介向租客收取大多數費用，包括管理費、合約費及轉讓費等。中介目前只可合法收取：按金（上限為五週租金）、預付租金及在特定情況下的違約費用。若有中介要求收取其他費用，可向地方當局舉報。The Tenant Fees Act 2019 bans most letting agent charges to tenants, including administration fees, referencing fees and renewal charges. Agents may now only charge a holding deposit (capped at five weeks' rent), advance rent and, in specific circumstances, a default fee. Report any other charges to your local authority.2019 年《租客费用法》禁止中介向租客收取大多数费用，包括管理费、合约费及转让费等。中介目前只可合法收取：按金（上限为五周租金）、预付租金及在特定情况下的违约费用。若有中介要求收取其他费用，可向地方当局举报。
陷阱四：聯合租約的連帶責任Pitfall 4: Joint tenancy and joint liability陷阱四：联合租约的连带责任
合租時若簽訂聯合租約（Joint Tenancy），所有租客對全部租金及房屋損壞負有連帶責任。即使其中一位室友拒絕付租，其餘人仍可能被追討全額欠租。簽約前應了解聯合租約與個人租約（Individual Tenancy）的分別，並對室友的信用情況有一定了解。When house-sharing under a joint tenancy, all tenants are jointly and severally liable for the full rent and any damage to the property. If one housemate stops paying, the remaining tenants may be pursued for the entire shortfall. Before signing, understand the difference between a joint tenancy and an individual tenancy, and ensure you are comfortable with your prospective housemates.合租时若签订联合租约（Joint Tenancy），所有租客对全部租金及房屋损坏负有连带责任。即使其中一位室友拒绝付租，其余人仍可能被追讨全额欠租。签约前应了解联合租约与个人租约（Individual Tenancy）的分别，并对室友的信用情况有一定了解。
陷阱五：忽略入住清單Pitfall 5: Skipping the inventory陷阱五：忽略入住清单
入住時未仔細核對房屋狀況報告（Inventory），是退租時押金被扣除的最常見原因。入住當天應與房東或中介逐項確認清單，拍攝所有房間、家具及設備的現況照片，並以電郵方式存檔。如發現清單遺漏的現有損壞，應在 24 小時內書面通知房東。Failing to check the inventory carefully at move-in is the most common reason for deposit deductions at the end of a tenancy. On move-in day, go through the inventory item by item with the landlord or agent, photograph every room, piece of furniture and appliance, and email yourself the photos for a timestamped record. Report any damage not listed in the inventory to the landlord in writing within 24 hours.入住时未仔细核对房屋状况报告（Inventory），是退租时押金被扣除的最常见原因。入住当天应与房东或中介逐项确认清单，拍摄所有房间、家具及设备的现况照片，并以电邮方式存档。如发现清单遗漏的现有损坏，应在 24 小时内书面通知房东。
陷阱六：水電賬單爭議Pitfall 6: Utility billing disputes陷阱六：水电账单争议
入住時未記錄水電煤錶讀數，可能導致被追討前任租客的欠費。入住當天拍下所有錶的初始讀數，並通知相關公用事業公司（電力、煤氣、水務）更改賬戶。離開時同樣需要提供最終讀數，並保留繳費記錄。Failing to record meter readings at move-in can result in being billed for a previous tenant's consumption. On move-in day, photograph all meter readings and notify each utility provider (electricity, gas, water) of the change of occupant. Do the same when you leave, and keep all payment records.入住时未记录水电煤表读数，可能导致被追讨前任租客的欠费。入住当天拍下所有表的初始读数，并通知相关公用事业公司（电力、煤气、水务）更改账户。离开时同样需要提供最终读数，并保留缴费记录。
陷阱七：提前退租的違約責任Pitfall 7: Early termination liability陷阱七：提前退租的违约责任
固定期限租約（AST）在合約期內不得單方面提前終止，否則租客須繼續支付租金直至合約到期或找到接替租客為止。部分合約設有「解約條款」（Break Clause），允許在特定時間點提前退租，但條件因合約而異。計劃提前退租前，應仔細閱讀合約相關條款，並與房東協商書面解除協議。A fixed-term AST cannot be ended unilaterally before the expiry date. If you leave early without the landlord's consent, you remain liable for the rent until the term ends or a replacement tenant is found. Some contracts include a break clause that allows early termination at a specified point, but the terms vary. Before planning an early exit, read your contract carefully and seek a written surrender agreement with the landlord.固定期限租约（AST）在合约期内不得单方面提前终止，否则租客须继续支付租金直至合约到期或找到接替租客为止。部分合约设有"解约条款"（Break Clause），允许在特定时间点提前退租，但条件因合约而异。计划提前退租前，应仔细阅读合约相关条款，并与房东协商书面解除协议。