How to rent an apartment? From whom? Under what conditions? Even with a large selection, these are not easy questions! If you are looking for an apartment for the first time, or have some bad experiences with renting, read our suggestions. We will help you find your place!
There are many apartments for rent in Budapest, and the perfect one for you is surely somewhere among them. However, finding it is not easy at all. You obviously have ideas, wishes, and a budget to work with. You see in your friends’ homes what you want and what you want to avoid at all costs, and at first glance nothing seems perfect. Don’t worry, you don’t have to give up the fight: We’ve put together the most important rules of apartment hunting. If you follow our advice, you will have a tremendous advantage in finding the “Perfect Home”, whether you are moving with your friends, alone, with your partner or with your child!
1. Know what you want – don’t settle for less!
Sounds obvious at first? It’s not! Many people fall into the mistake of searching for example for a 1.5-room apartment to rent in Buda, but then they see a charming studio in Pest, or an exciting, huge loft and they are already unsure. The more their searches continue, the further they move from the original idea. After a few weeks, they will become exhausted and frustrated and settle for a “so-so” apartment that they won’t be entirely happy with. Be clever: write down what parameters are absolute musts, what are less important and what’s on your blacklist. View each option with this list in the back of your mind!
2. Make sure to get yourself involved in legal business onle!
We know that finite budgets can be hard, but based on our many years of experience, we strongly advise you not to rent property without a contract or an invoice! Unfortunately, to this day many people still do it illegally, and it can be tempting to save ten or twenty thousand forints a month, but keep in mind that legal documents and clean finances will protect you as well! If you have any problems with the landlord, if there is a dispute of any kind, you will be much less able to assert your rights without a valid sublet contract and bills!
3. Be careful with real estate agents!
We do not claim that there are no conscientious nice agents out there who might make your life easier. If all goes well, the intervention of an experienced agent really helps, and we do not deny this. However, if you don’t have to, try to avoid getting third parties between you and the property owner: on the one hand, you save on brokerage fees and on the other hand, all administration and communication is simpler and quicker when done between two parties! This way you don’t have to wait for days or weeks to get the dripping tap fixe, not to mention that it is really reassuring to know the owner of your apartment personally.
+1. Choose a “business apartment”!
Are you looking for a real golden tip? This is it! Yes, you can already find a company in Budapest that specializes in renting their property. In other words, your landlord will not be a private individual but an expert company. That comes with many advantages: for example, at Flatco, we guarantee a legally correct contract free of hidden conditions; traceable, secure credit card payment; our own mechanic and maintenance team; professional administration – and you won’t believe the difference these make until you try it!