How to rent a good apartment in Cyprus on a budget

An apartment with all the advantages cannot be cheap... Or can it? Is it realistic to rent an inexpensive apartment in Cyprus and what can be done for this? We offer you some tips that will help you rent a good apartment in Cyprus, even if your budget is limited.

Define your concept of "good apartment"

Each person has something different behind the phrase "good apartment". Of course, everyone wants to have a spacious apartment with a gorgeous view of the sea, developed infrastructure nearby, excellent repairs, bright large rooms and other amenities. However, in fact, each of the moments should be considered from a practical point of view. Let's try to dwell on each of them in a little more detail.

The first thing that affects the search for an apartment in general is location. The areas remote from the center, not belonging to the elite, will definitely be cheaper. But it is not always advisable to save money on location: if you need to visit any institution (work, take your child to the garden/school, etc.) on a daily basis, it makes sense to settle near it. Even if this option will be more expensive, it will save money on the road (or rather, on gasoline) and time.

The size of the apartment is the second most important point. Here you need to understand what is a priority: the number of rooms or living space. Sometimes 3-bedroom apartments can be cheaper than 2-bedroom apartments or even on par with one-bedroom apartments: because of the location and the number of square meters. Sometimes an apartment is more expensive because of additional rooms: terrace, dressing room, etc. If they are not so important, you can refuse them and save money.

The third point is the quality of repair and the availability of furniture and appliances. On the one hand, new wallpaper, serviceable plumbing and a full set of furniture, washing machine, excellent refrigerator and other things - it is wonderful, cozy and comfortable. On the other hand, the landlord will be more sensitive to keeping the house clean and tidy, and may ask for a larger deposit and higher rent. Families with children or pets are sometimes not in favor of such difficulties, so it is quite possible to make a discount on stale repairs - or offer to renew it in payment.

It is also worth remembering how much it will cost to maintain the apartment. It needs to be heated in winter and cooled in summer, and cleaned (difficulties arise with large areas and, for example, panoramic windows, which are very difficult to clean by yourself). In high-class residential complexes will have to pay extra for the maintenance of the common area, swimming pool and other amenities. Therefore, sometimes a luxury apartment is worth giving up, if only because the cost of its maintenance is almost an extra 50% of the rent.

Look on the right websites

If you turn to special sites, you can see what a wide range of prices for renting apartments is present in the same city and even in the same neighborhood. On the one hand, to simplify the search, you can set a variety of filters - in this case it is, of course, the budget. However, it does not always work: you can miss an interesting option, which for some reason was not included in the list.

Here are a few recommendations that will allow you to find a "tidbit" on real estate sites:

1. Do not put the filter on the maximum cost per month on the "threshold" of your budget: add another 50-100 euros on top. This will allow you, firstly, to compare more options and see the real picture on the rental real estate market, and secondly, to bargain in case you have something to offer the owners of apartments for a reduction in price.
2. Don't trust the photos. In Cyprus in general, it is difficult to find ads with quality photos: the creation of attractive content is mainly handled by large agencies. Therefore, you should read the description carefully and ask for a viewing - or, alternatively, an online viewing.
3. If you have children or animals, do not put filters on them. In most cases, you can always agree - even if the ad does not say anything about them. But if it is clearly stated that "DO NOT" - then you do not need to waste neither your time nor owner's time.
4. From time to time, look at options in locations that you are only half satisfied with. It is quite possible that the quality and price of an apartment in a neighborhood that is not very attractive to you will cover all of its shortcomings.

If you know someone who has experience of renting an apartment in Cyprus, be sure to talk to them. This will give you a more complete picture of what is going on: remember that websites may not disclose all the features.

Get in touch with all sorts of acquaintances

This tip follows from the previous one. Be sure to ask everyone you talk to about the apartment: buddies, coworkers, even the barista at the coffee shop where you always get your coffee. So-called "nepotism" is quite common in Cyprus, and it is an honor and a great pleasure to help "their own".

Searching for housing by acquaintance will exclude, at least, the cost of a realtor, and unnecessary distrust. However, remember that in this case, drawing up a contract and other legal subtleties are still mandatory.

Looking for housing in the off-season

Seaside towns have their own specifics. Part of the real estate is rented daily at least in the summer. Against this background it becomes more difficult to find permanent housing: some landlords rent housing only in the off-season, and some simply increase the rent in the "hot" months.

It is easier to find a long-term rental apartment in the period from October-November to April. It is at this time you can find:

1. an inexpensive pre-summer apartment;
2. an apartment, the price of which will not be overpriced seasonally.

If you still have to look for a place to rent in the summer, it is worth negotiating with the landlords the possibility of reducing the fee at the end of October. Many landlords go along with it, and some even prescribe this point in the announcement separately.

Have enough time on your hands

If there is a request for a good apartment, which must meet a number of criteria (including budget), then time is the tenant's ally. Finding an apartment in a week is a realistic task, but only if there are very few requirements or the tenant is not limited in funds. This is not always the case.

The average search time is 2 weeks, but it is better if the first tryouts start even earlier. Especially if the tenants are going to involve in the search the "word of mouth". It is also worth taking care of the search for real estate as early as possible in the presence of pets, small children or specific requirements for the housing itself.

Look for options with a small deposit

When your budget is limited, you can save money on a realtor (look for one yourself) and a deposit. Determine how much you can pay in a lump sum or in installments. Be sure to talk to your landlord about whether the deposit will be considered payment for the last month of your stay, or whether it will be returned to you when you rent the apartment back.

Tip: You can negotiate a lower monthly payment if you pay several months' rent at check-in - for example, six months' rent. The landlord may find it more convenient and attractive to make a one-time large payment, and will give you a discount.

Know how to make a good impression

Diplomacy solves almost all issues in our world, so it is worth mastering at least its basic skills. To make a pleasant first impression is not so difficult - it is enough to be in a good mood and look neat.

Of course, it makes no sense to tell you about an ironed shirt and a smile. These are basic matters. But here is what you should pay attention directly when viewing the apartment and communicating with its owner:

1. Come to the meeting, if possible, with the whole family or a significant part of it. The landlord wants to see for himself who will be living in the apartment.
2. Be prepared to listen first, then answer questions - and only then ask your own.
3. Emphasize the advantages of the apartment and mention how well it would be a good fit for you and why.
4. At the beginning of your communication, if it is over the Internet, don't forget to be polite. Do not write one-syllable questions or answers: this may give the impression that you are not very interested in what is going on.

In case of a language barrier, if there is no desire or possibility to search through a realtor, get the support of someone who speaks English or Greek (or more precisely, Cypriot). If there is no such option, then simply alert the owners to this difficulty as much as possible. Use google translator and other handy tools to communicate in as much detail as possible.

Don't be put off by apartments on the first and last floors

The first and last floors are traditionally intimidating for residents of Russian five-story buildings. However, in Cyprus, especially in new buildings, there is nothing to be afraid of. Moreover, the first floor (the one that is ground-floor) is often a better option than an ordinary apartment in the same building. It's all about a separate exit, and sometimes - and a separate yard, or rather, apartment plot. It turns out a kind of combination of a private house and an apartment.

In any case, even the usual first floor is not always the first floor. According to the numbering accepted in Cyprus, the first floor is the one that goes above the ground floor, that is, according to our usual account it is the second.

The last floor is not so simple either. At times it can even cost more because of the beautiful view from the windows. But sometimes the landlord does not make a difference, and you can safely rent an apartment on the top floor - the main thing is to check that the roof does not leak.

Know how to sacrifice the unimportant

When choosing an apartment with a limited budget, you will have to make some concessions and sacrifice what is not so important. Before doing so, you should discuss all the points with the family members so that everyone is comfortable with the outcome.

For example, if the family spends most of the day at work, it is not necessary to choose an apartment with windows facing south and southwest. In addition, such an arrangement in the summer may bring some inconvenience.

Another example is the request for a spacious kitchen, if cooking takes place once or twice a week, is simply not reasonable. The same goes for a large number of bedrooms if there are only two people in the family and they both don't work from home. You can make a "discount" for imperfect repair or the absence of some items of furniture or appliances. They will dokupit or you yourself (in payment, for example), or the owners, but a little later. Also do not overpay for a view of the sea. Yes, it creates a special atmosphere - but there is not always time to look at it. In addition, many people simply get bored with the sea view.

Pay attention to the important things: for some it is the location of the house, for others - its layout and area. There are people who strongly dislike the absence of a dishwasher, and others do not even think about it.

Look for an apartment with "special conditions"

Sometimes a good apartment has some nuances that do not allow you to charge a lot of money for it. For example, in Russia it is quite common when owners rent an apartment not completely - some part of the living space they allocate for storage of their belongings. In Cyprus this is rare, but it can also happen.

Another option is a good condition of the whole apartment, except for one room. In it, the owners undertake to make repairs within N amount of time (one, two, three months, six months), or the tenants take this responsibility on themselves.

You can also find an apartment with "fulfillment of conditions," where the tenants perform a service for the tenants. This can be the care of plants or even pets, sometimes - for the adjacent territory. Another common option is to improve the apartment by the tenants.

So, if you want, even with a limited budget is quite possible to rent a decent apartment in Cyprus. So do not give up, stock up on time and patience - and luck will surely smile to you!

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