Living here
No surprises on the bill.
How rent, the meters, the deposit and moving out work here — in plain words, with the law behind each rule.
No. 1The money
What you pay, and why.
Moving in
One month's rent in advance, which pays your first month, and a deposit of two months. That is the most the Rent Control Act (RA 9653, s. 7) allows, and we never ask for more. Each gets its own receipt.
Your deposit
Kept for you while you stay and returned when you leave, less only unpaid bills and damage beyond normal wear — on a written settlement statement that lists every deduction, with any interest earned.
Rent increases
For rent of ₱10,000 a month or less, the National Human Settlements Board caps a yearly increase while you stay: 2.3% in 2025 and 1% in 2026. A student's bedspace or room goes up at most once a year.
Paying
Cash at the office, GCash or a bank transfer. Paid online? Send the reference from the tenant portal; the caretaker matches it and your receipt appears there.
No. 2The meters
Electricity and water, at cost.
Your own submeter
Every apartment has its own electric and water meter. The caretaker reads them on the same day each month and writes both readings on your bill.
At the utility's own rate
Your kWh are charged at the same rate per kWh as our main bill from the power company — never higher (the Energy Regulatory Commission's rule for submetering). Your bill prints both rates side by side.
Shared meters in the dorm
A dorm room has one meter. Its use is split equally among the beds taken on the reading day, and each bed's share is shown. Water and Wi-Fi are already in the bed rent.
Ask to see it
Any tenant may ask to see that month's main bill and the reading sheet. They are kept at the office for exactly that.
No. 3Moving out
Leaving on good terms.
Tell us 30 days ahead
In writing — a text to the office counts. The caretaker confirms your last day.
The walk-through
On your last day the caretaker reads the meters with you and checks the room against the move-in condition.
Your settlement
A written statement: the deposit held, the final bill, any deduction with its reason, any interest, and what is returned to you — within 30 days.
No. 4House rules
Each building’s rules, word for word.
The same rules printed on every contract. Late payment, quiet hours, guests and notice are all set here.
Lodge Kamuning Apartments
- Rent is due on the 5th of every month; a 3% penalty applies after 5 days' grace.
- No pets except small caged birds or fish.
- Quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
- No smoking inside the units or the stairwells.
- Garbage out on Tuesdays and Fridays, segregated.
- Give 30 days' written notice before moving out.
Lodge Sampaloc Dormitory
- Curfew at 11:00 PM; late entry is logged with the caretaker.
- The 2nd floor is for women, the 3rd floor for men.
- Visitors stay in the ground-floor lounge, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- No cooking in the rooms; use the common kitchen.
- Lights out in shared rooms by 12:00 midnight.
- Bed rent includes water and Wi-Fi; electricity is shared by the room's meter.
- Rent is due on the 15th; a 3% penalty applies after 5 days' grace.