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There are hundreds of options of accommodations for rent in Sofia. There are fancy homes, studios, and new and old apartments for rent all over the city depending on what you are looking for.

Monthly rent for furnished apartment in a standard area of town costs at an average of 636 BNG and a furnished apartment in an expensive area costs at an average of 916 BNG. The average monthly cost of a furnished studio in a standard area costs 445 BNG and in an expensive area it costs 622 BNG. (Please keep in mind that these are approximate prices and that there are apartments and houses for rent at much more expensive or considerably cheaper prices.)
Utilities such as hot water, electricity, gas, internet, and landline are usually not included in the price of the rental. Be sure to require the price of utilities into your budget when planning to rent.

How to Search for a Rental in Sofia

Online

Most Bulgarian properties that are for rent can be found online. The best websites for searching for rentals are:

• Bulgarian Properties
• MIRELA
• Unique Estates
• Erasmus Bulgaria  
• Luximmo
• Property

Newspapers

Searching for rentals in newspaper ads is not very common in big cities, but some rentals may be advertised occasionally, especially for properties in smaller towns outside of Sofia.

For rental ads consult the print and online versions of these newspapers:

• 24 Chasa
• Dnevnik
• Monitor
• Novinar
• Novinite.com
• Onlinenewspapers.com provides a list of newspapers and other media sources available in Bulgaria.
• Standart
• Trud

Rental Agents in Sofia

Hiring a real estate agent can help take the guess-work out of finding a rental, especially since many have experience with working with expats and suiting their needs. The agent will consult you on your needs and help with your search, accompany you on the viewings, and help you with documentations and contacts. The price of an agent varies, so it is important to discuss rate with different agents before deciding on one.

Agencies take commission of the first month's rent, but some agencies of a minimum charge. If the real estate agent is hired by the landlord in whose property you are interested in, the costs of the agent should be covered by the property owner.

Visiting Prospective Apartments in Sofia

Before signing a contract, it is highly recommended that you visit and inspect the apartment or house that you are interested in. It is important to make sure the plumbing and electronic devices are in good working order, inquire with the neighbors about what to expect while living in the building, and ask for samples of utilities bills to get an idea of what your budget should be.

Rental Contacts in Sofia

Most landlords in Sofia will require you to sign a contract for at least a year lease. A contact should be in written form to be valid and one copy should be for the tenant and the other for the landlord.

The contact should cover the length of the lease, the date and means of paying the rent, whether or not the contract is open-ended or has an end date, whether the tenant or landlord deals with the utility payments, and whether a security deposit is required as well as the amount.

Giving Notice on an Apartment in Sofia

Typically, you will need to give one month's notice before ending a contact. Some landlords may keep some or all of the security deposit if a notice is not made in time. It is best to cover this specific topic with the landlord before signing a rental contract.