Renting an Apartment in Ukraine
The process of renting an apartment in Ukraine is often cited as one of the most difficult tasks that a foreigner must do while residing in the country.
The statement is correct. It might be difficult to navigate Russian-language websites, deal with greedy apartment brokers, and ensure that you are not being taken advantage of! Apart from that, while attempting to meet a gorgeous Ukrainian lady, it helps to have a warm and welcoming venue to take her after meeting her is important.
As a result of our extensive experience, we have created this guide to assist you in finding the apartment of your dreams in Ukraine.
Let’s get this show on the road.
What Is the Cost of Renting an Apartment in Ukraine?
For foreigners living in Ukraine, one of the most attractive aspects of the country is the fact that you can often rent a beautiful apartment for a fraction of the price you would pay back home. We have often said on our page that if there is one thing that we emphasise, it is…
Renting an apartment in Ukraine is (for the most part) inexpensive.
Furthermore, there is a plethora of affordable, excellent flats to rent across Ukraine.
When renting an apartment in Ukraine for an extended period of time (more than three months), you could expect to spend no more than $500 per month on average.
If you’re willing to live in a studio, you should be able to acquire one for far less money, realistically…
However, who would want to do that?
You may be able to get away with paying $600 or $700, but only if you are living in a genuinely luxury apartment. I usually simply encourage folks not to pay these rates since, more often than not, they are being taken advantage of by the merchant.
In Kiev, the one exception to this rule is that apartment rents have risen dramatically in comparison to the rest of the nation.
For less than $750 a month in Kiev’s city center, you’d be hard pushed to find a truly lovely apartment in a good neighborhood. It obviously hasn’t always been this way, and it is frequently for this reason that we advise against quickly concluding that the capital is the most desirable portion of the nation.
For the Soviets, Communism included receiving free housing.
For most Ukrainians during Soviet times, a Khrushchyovka, or communal flat, was practically handed over to them. In fact, if you continue to apply and are fortunate, you may be able to get many flats.
Aah, yes…the pleasures of communism!
In Ukraine, many individuals make a significant chunk of their income by renting out inherited properties. It’s fairly unusual to come across young women who are officially “owners” of an apartment building. However, the majority of them have not achieved this solely on their own merit. Instead, they’ve merely inherited the house that their grandma used to live in.
In the end, many of these homes are refurbished to a European quality and are, to be honest, pretty nice to look at. A renovated inherited flat is a no-brainer when you consider that building work would cost one-fourth of what it would cost in the United States of America.
As a result, the majority of Ukrainians would be delighted to host a foreigner with a reliable source of income who could pay them in US dollars on a monthly basis. Aside from that, you can anticipate them attempting to pinch you for an additional $100 or so on top of what they would charge a local person.
Yes, you may engage in bartering with them. On the other hand, at some point, I will not, under any circumstances, attempt to nickel and dime a poor Ukrainian citizen.
During my earlier years as an expat, though, you can sure that either myself (or one of my girlfriends) would never have agreed to a rent increase that was even a fraction of what a local would have paid a landlord.
Unfortunately, for many foreigners, the process of seeking an apartment might be more difficult than they are used to experiencing.
Ukrainian Real Estate Consultants
In Ukraine, there is a thriving sector of persons who work as “apartment agents,” according to the CIA World Factbook.
Their one and only function is to connect individuals who are looking to rent flats with others who are looking to buy property. They only serve as a go-between for tenants and property owners alike.
Because of some incomprehensible reason, the majority of Ukrainian property owners have not realized that they may simply accomplish this themselves by utilizing classifieds websites.
As a finders fee, agents often charge half of a month’s rent as a commission.
This is a significant sum of money in Ukraine. If you’re paying $500 a month for a lease, it implies you’ll be paying $250 up front!
This is referred to as the “foreigner tax” since they are aware that you are likely earning far more than the $600 monthly pay that the majority of Ukrainians make.
Of course, if at all feasible, we recommend that you avoid using an agent. If you are planning to sign a one-year lease, you may not be concerned about this charge. Personally, I cannot tolerate the feeling of being taken advantage of. Making me part with my hard-earned money is a difficult task.
A month’s rent for my first flat in Ukraine was $600. It was quite pleasant. However, for that amount of money, I could have acquired a place in the United States.
That flat, on the other hand, was lovely. It helped me get a lot of dates.
Of course, I discovered it via AirBnB. As a result, we arrive to our first question…
Using AirBnB to find a place to stay in Ukraine makes sense.
In a nutshell, AirBnB is the Uber of the property renting industry. Through the service, you may rent a completely furnished house anywhere in the globe for a fraction of the cost of a hotel room, saving more than half the money.
It’s something I’ve used several times and continue to utilize while traveling. Additionally, security against scammers is usually a welcome benefit.
For a brief stay in Ukraine, AirBnB is the most convenient option. When planning a vacation for a week, nothing beats spending between $15 and $60 each night for a beautiful apartment. While hotels in Ukraine are reasonably priced, AirBnB remains the most cost-effective alternative for those on a tight budget.
AirBnB, on the other hand, may be a massive scam if you’re staying for more than a month. It’s not like you’ve traveled thousands of miles to pay Western rates for an apartment, have you?
When you’re staying for an extended period of time, you’ll need to adjust your procedures.
The Art of Bargaining With An AirBnB Host
To make money, I recommend that you pick an apartment that you like on AirBnB and rent it out for one month.
Feel free to attempt to bargain the pricing using the website’s “chat” feature, and make sure to mention in passing that you may be interesting in extending your stay once you arrive.
It is therefore possible to propose to start paying them a monthly cost in US dollars that is even lower than the amount you have agreed upon after you have landed and moved into your new home.
This is technically against the AirBnb Terms of Service, even if you may do it using the chat feature on the AirBnb website. To be on the safe side, just inform your AirBnb host that you desire to prolong your stay by speaking with them in person.
The likelihood is that they will be receptive.
An apartment owner who accepts cash payments for his or her monthly rent is getting a better bargain than someone who accepts checks. An very large portion of AirBnb’s profits is retained by the company. In addition, money sent through the internet is likely to be subject to taxation and other regulations. All of these costs are passed on to you as the customer.
In a nutshell, AirBnB is an excellent resource for meeting potential landlords while traveling.
Apartments for rent in Ukraine: Information and Resources
I do not recommend that you try to utilize any Ukrainian classified websites without the assistance of a local expert.
The most popular classifieds website in the whole nation, OLX, is the best place to start if you’re ready to enter the “wild west” of Ukrainian business.
It is possible that your mileage will differ in this case. It is possible to find a large number of greedy agents, rip-offs, and “bait and switch tactics” on these sites. Fortunately, there are some excellent bargains to be found there as well.
Another option is to make use of the many expat-focused Facebook groups that exist in Ukraine. You may post messages in these groups in which you describe the sort of apartment you are looking for as well as your price range.
Here are a handful of Ukraine’s most well-established expat neighborhoods:
Ukrainian city of Odessa
The Lviv Expats Forum is a group of people who have moved to Lviv from another country.
At the end of the day…
When it comes to online dating, an AirBnb host is often significantly more trustworthy than anybody else you would meet since if they try to defraud you, you can just report them to AirBnb. They are well aware of this, as are you. When looking to rent an apartment in Ukraine, there is an unwritten virtue that must be possessed.
However, you shouldn’t have to rely on AirBnb for very long. If you are unable to reach a fair agreement with your host, you may be certain that a lovely Ukrainian girl will be your most valuable asset while searching for an apartment.
The Ladies Will Assist You with Your Rental.
In the end, meeting a wonderful Ukrainian lady who can assist you in finding a good apartment at a reasonable price is the key to obtaining a low-cost apartment.
The majority of Ukrainian females would be delighted to assist you in settling into life in their native city. They’re well aware that it’s a terrific strategy for keeping you around. In addition, the majority of Ukrainian ladies live with their parents and would welcome the chance to spend time with a person they like in the comfort of their own home, if given the option.
It also provides you with an excellent reason to invite her over, particularly if she is assisting you in “breaking in” to the new apartment you have found together.
That’s all I’m going to say. Best of luck with your apartment search!
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Ukraine?
The cost of renting an apartment in Ukraine is determined by the following factors:
Renting an apartment with 1-3 bedrooms does not cost more than 14500 UAH /month in Kiev. Prices for long-term rentals vary from 11300 and 135000 UAH per month (more than three months). It might cost between 1900 and 41200 UAH per month to live in a luxury apartment with 1-3 bedrooms in Kiev, particularly if you are looking for a location in the city center..
What cities in Ukraine attract the most people who want to rent an apartment?
In Kiev, Ukraine’s capital city, the vast majority of people would prefer to reside. When compared to other Ukrainian cities, the capital’s attractiveness and strong demand for housing drive up the cost of renting an apartment.
For individuals interested in renting short- or long-term, what are their options?
In the end, whether you want to rent for a short period of time or for an extended period of time, the possibilities are same; it’s just a question of cost, which varies based on the duration of your stay and where you live. you may discover a variety of different living arrangements. You could want to stay in an AirBnB, a hotel, or a sublet if you are just there for a short time (less than three months). Short-term accommodations are the most cost-effective option. The rental of an apartment or a home is a better deal if you are planning to remain for an extended period of time. Obtaining a reasonable monthly rent price for an apartment or home while renting for a short period of time may be difficult.
When looking for an apartment in Ukraine, what should you look for?
A fee is charged by apartment brokers that assist you in finding the proper location for you and guiding you through the whole process. Ordinarily, the agent charge is half of the rent, but in rare circumstances, the agent cost might be as much as three times the rental amount. Searching for an apartment in Ukraine online and meeting with the landlord is much more convenient these days.
When it comes to lease term in Ukraine, is there a minimum or maximum amount of time?
If you want to rent a home or apartment for more than three years, the lease must be validated by a notary public. There is no minimum or maximum period of time that you may rent a home or apartment.