EuRA Housing Questionnaire N to Z

EuRA Housing Questionnaire N to Z 2008

Malta 500 550 Only equipped with kitchen basics Equipped with furniture Includes furniture, bedding, cutlery, A/C, or electrical fans May include any of the above. No hard and fast rules applicable May take up to 14 days One or two days Minimum 6 months Minimum 6 months One to two months Equivalent to one to two months' rent Surely against damage to property; non-payment of utilities About three months Half is paid by the tenant and half by the property owner. Equivalent to one month s rent Yes Wear & Tear Clause to be closely observed Insurance covering own personal belongings

Norway Bergen NOK6000-7000/ 680-790 NOK8000-15000/ 900-1700 No furnishings but may be some appliances Includes furniture and appliances Includes everything, ready to move in with your suitcase Varies, can include some furniture and appliances 1 to 2 weeks 3 to 5 days 1 year, rarely from month to month Min 1 year, max 3 years 3 months written notice after 9 months 2 to 3 months rent Can only be used at the termination of the contract for repairs or extraordinary damage; must be placed in a separate account where the renter collects the interest at the end of the rental period Within one week or sooner Property owner pays the fee to the rental agent Yes, most commonly Every apt building has their own house rules i.e. quiet after 10 pm, no pets, etc. Tenant must insure his own property, the property owner insures the rest

Norway Oslo NOK17000/ 1900 NOK19000/ 2100 Rent includes kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, appliances Rent includes kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, appliances. All main furniture Rent includes kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, appliances. All furniture, all equipment. Only to bring the suitcase Rent includes kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, appliances. Main furniture, only sofa, bed, dining 2 weeks 1-2 days From 3 months to 3 years From 3 months to 3 years 3 months 3 months rent Damages, loss of inventory, keys 1 week The landlord. 1 month rent Yes None Insure his/hers own belongings

Poland Warsaw 2000 ca 3000 ca Usually in build kitchen, lights, wardrobes, bathroom Usually in build kitchen, lights, wardrobes, bathroom, furniture Fully equipped in kitchen items, pictures, carpets etc. Simple furniture like sofa, table, chairs Up to 2 weeks Ca. 5-10 days No No Always subject of negotiations with landlord One month rent for apartments Two months rent for houses Three months for big apartments or houses, furnished and equipped with high quality goods To pay outstanding bills for utilities, to cover the damages 30 days from signing the protocol of transferring the property back to the Landlord Both tenant and landlord pays brokerage fee in amount of one month rental +22% VAT. In case of expensive properties the fee is negotiable Usual Possible No Contents insurance of his goods

Portugal Lisbon 1500 up to 2500 1500 up to 2500 No furniture, but kitchen cabinets and appliances are conmen as well as wardrobes Will also include extra kitchen appliances, and linen Will also include extra kitchen appliances, and linen Only few items will be in house [Not answered] Most of time delays are due to reply time from client company but in average it goes from 6 to 14 days

Portugal Lisbon (cont d) Owners might block either for 6 month or a year If not expressed other wise tenant can by law give 120 days notice 120 days by law and possibility of negotiating an extra one as diplomatic One month deposit Pay repairs and last utility bills 60 days due to utility bills Landlord and depends on what is agreed between landlord and real state Up on signature; rent is due monthly on first day of previous month; up on lease signature tenant pays 2 month rent plus one deposit. Example: Lease starts 1st Jan tenant pays Jan + Feb + dep and in Feb 1st tenant pays March and so on A delay of payment gives the owner legal permission to charge extra 50 % on rent value As per point 7. Owners tend to not want leases in company name but in tenant name with company as guarantor Advisable on his own goods an liability

Romania Bucharest 2300/month 2500/month Areas included are Central and North where the expats are usually living Kitchen furnishes and kitchen appliances Furniture, maybe no air conditioning Furniture, equipments and other goods in the kitchen (plates, cutleries, etc.) Depending on case, furniture in the kitchen, wardrobes Depends on the location. Between 1 week to 1 month 2 days to 1 week. Usually the good properties go quickly so the sooner, the better

Romania Bucharest (cont d) 2 years 60 to 90 days any time. In case of extra requests of the tenant, the break clause can be 60 to 90 days after the first 6 months Equivalent of 1 3 month rent. More common is 2 month rent To cover invoices received after the tenant left or to cover unpaid damages caused by tenant. In some cases the deposits can be kept as penalty in case of early cancellation, depending on the contract According to the contract negotiation, usually 30 days after the contract comes to an end and all bills have been paid by the tenant Both parties, the fee is between 50 70 % of one month rent for each party Following payments (usually) First payment (usually) For any kind of modifications of the premises the owner must give his written agreement VAT is 19% and is not included it is added on top of the quoted price Utilities are almost never included in the rent The owner is making insurance just for the premises. Any other insurance is the tenant s responsibility

Russia Moscow

Slovakia Bratislava 650 800 Apartment has kitchen with all appliances and maybe build-in wardrobes, sometimes washing machine included Kitchen with all appliances and white goods, wardrobes, sofa, beds, dining table and chairs Includes all items just as furnished apartment + bed linen, all kitchenware Kitchen with all appliances and white goods, wardrobes, might be missing some pieces of furniture beds, sofa or dining table 1-4 weeks depends on provider 2-3 weeks 1 year 1 year 3 months 1 month rent Damages, sometimes last rent Depends we put 7 days Landlords pay real estate one months rent. Client usually pays only for destination services If assignee signs the contract If company signs the contract [Not answered] None

Spain Barcelona From 1250 onwards From 1300 onwards Nothing, but kitchen includes cooker and oven Includes all furniture, lamps and white goods, but no TV or hi-fi equipment etc. Usually same as furnished, but might refer to temporary apartments including everything towels, sheets, glasses, plates, TV, DVD, telephone etc. Needs to be defined by the property owner, usually includes basic items, as curtains, wardrobe, cabinets, beds There are absolutely no clear definitions for the different descriptions. It will always be up to the owner s interpretation. The explanations above are only to be understood as general tendencies Depending on the location of the property it can take up to six weeks in remote areas and be as fast as three days in the centre of town The average time is of approximately 10 days. This time is needed for the lease negotiation and to set up the bank guarantee which becomes more and more a requirement for the renting of a property. The bank guarantee alone takes about one week for the set up of the document, the signing of the document and appointment with the notary

Spain Barcelona (cont d) A standard long term rental lease is of 5 years, being the first year (12 months) mandatory The same as for furnished apartments Standard in Spain is 2 months The conditions vary a lot and are set by the property owner. Usually the deposit is of 1 month for an unfurnished property and 2 months for a furnished property, plus 4-6 month s rent in form of a bank guarantee The deposit can be used to cover unpaid bills from the tenant, such as the rent and utilities. The bank guarantee can only be claimed by the owner to cover outstanding rent. The owner has no direct access to the bank guarantee but he will have to go through the notary The deposit should be returned during the 30 days after the end of the rental agreement The fee for the estate agency is either of 1 month rent or 10% of the annual rent. The fee is paid by the tenant During the first 5 days of the month One particularity of Spanish law is that usually the tenant has 30 days after the beginning of the rental agreement to claim any problems in the property. After the expiration of these 30 days it is the tenant s responsibility to take care of all minor repairs. After this period any repairs apart from major structural ones are the responsibility of the tenant, including any kitchen appliances or furniture in the case of furnished properties There is no mandatory standard insurance. However often the owner requests a public liability insurance from the tenant. Typically the owner would have an insurance for the building and the tenant would take care of the content insurance, insuring the furniture and electric devices of a furnished or partly furnished flat

Spain Madrid 1000-1700 1200-2000 Usually unfurnished apartments contain fully furnished kitchens and more commonly white goods can often be found. The bathrooms do have the bathtub, basin etc. However, often there is no light bulb, but just a cable hanging from the ceiling Fully furnished kitchen and furniture for the rest of the apartment. It does not include linen, kitchenware or TV Fully furnished kitchen and apartment with linen, kitchenware and TV Equipped kitchen and basic furniture such as beds, wardrobes, table, chairs and sofa. But may often be missing vital parts of furniture (i.e it may have a sofa and a lounge table and chairs but no bed) Telephone companies give a 20 to 30 days waiting period, although sometimes the line can be connected in a few days. However, one can never count on Telefonica. If the property is in a remote area or all the lines have been assigned, it may not be possible to get a line One to two weeks, although this time can be exceeded when a bank guarantee is requested

Spain Madrid 12 months 12 months This is usual. You can however, sometimes (although most owners do not want this) agree to a contract of less. If this is the case, the owner may wish to increase the rent After the first year, one can usually negotiate to leave the property at any time by giving one or two months notice The equivalent of one month rent for unfurnished properties and Two months rent for furnished Damages to the property and unpaid utilities 30 days is normal, but in reality we have owners that decide they do not want to return the deposit or they will take months to do so (for example they will not return it until the utilities are settled. Some utilities are paid every 2 months. So they will not have a bill until then Tenant pays. It is usually 1 month rent + 16% VAT Yes Many landlord currently are requesting from the tenant a bank guarantee equivalent to 6 to 12 months rent, valid for the whole duration of the lease. This involves opening an account and leaving 6 months rent in the account until one leaves Although this is not compulsory, a contents insurance and a third part liability insurance are highly recommended

Spain Valencia 1000 1000 Fitted wardrobes usually, kitchen complete except maybe but not necessarily white goods Furniture, white goods Probably would mean equipped too with TV etc. maybe Beds and table and chairs? Depends on place and time 24 hours to 10 days A couple of days? 1 year unless classified ad temporary in which case it must be for under 11 months Same 1 or 2 months (specified) after one year 1 month unfurnished; 2 months furnished Breakages, damage, final utility bills not yet received 30 Tenant: 1 month Usually Occasionally Sometimes for a discount or if paid in cash Tenant is quite well protected but needs to be aware if rates and rubbish collection included or not Contents and 3rd party optional unless specified

Sweden Gothenburg 1000 1100 (often about the same though) Whitegoods / kitchen always stay in houses/apartments Might need beddings/some kitchen articles Able to move straight in, just bring own clothes Depending [not answered] A couple of days. You usually sign about a month before moving in No No Always 3 months diplomatic clause Depends, usually one month Usually damages on house/apartment Agreed upon We have a quite different system in Sweden, where the relocation agencies sometimes handle their own apartments, the landlords contact relocation companies directly and such. In these cases letting fee is included in the package price. When we use an outside letting agent this fee is transferred to the client with full transparency Yes It is quite common to have to move every 24 months because of the system with sub-letting apartments. At this time it is more uncommon to be able to stay longer Home-insurance, will cover own goods and also liability towards the landlord. Not mandatory but *Highly* recommended

Sweden Malmo SEK15000-18000/ 1550-1900 SEK15000-20000/ 1550-2100 with cabinets, stove, refrigerator/ freezer. Often a micro. In bigger apartments you will often have a dishwasher Apart from a kitchen table and chairs, pots and pans, forks, knives, etc, the kitchen will be fully furnished with cabinets, stove, refrigerator/ freezer. Often a micro. In bigger apartments you will often have a dishwasher Apart from a kitchen table and chairs, pots and pans, forks, knives, etc, the kitchen will be fully furnished with cabinets, stove, refrigerator/ freezer. Often a micro. In bigger apartments you will often have a dishwasher with cabinets, stove, refrigerator/ freezer. Often a micro. In bigger apartments you will often have a dishwasher. The amount of eating equipment, pots, pans etc. may vary. It may, or may not have a table and chairs! With our contacts it takes 1 hour if there has been an earlier phone line hooked up. Otherwise it may take one-two weeks if a technician is needed If all documentation is in order we can normally be done within a week. If it takes longer it often depends on people not being in place to sign... company not sure who is to sign...etc.

Sweden Malmo (cont d) No No Comment: short term accommodation can be difficult to find; as there are not that may around. Our fees also tend to scare of clients if they are just looking for a two week accommodation! 1 day to 2 weeks: you need to give notice the day before 2 weeks to 3 months: you need to give notice 1 week in advance More than 3 months: Three full months notice in advance Varied greatly, but is often anywhere from one to three months rent. Often a deposit equivalent to two or three months is asked for when renting a larger home. In some cases we are able to offer a letter of guaranty from the company instead, when the employee is a tenant It can be used for example to cover late rental payments from tenant, for any repairs needed to be done after damages caused by tenant, etc. It may be used as rent for the last months of the lease agreement Within 30 days The relocation company pays any extra costs involved in finding homes, example adverts, letting agent fees, etc. In almost all cases When negotiated When negotiated [not answered] Regular home insurance covering his own belongings. The home insurance should also cover damage he might cause other persons (the landlords ) belongings

Sweden Stockholm 1900 1900 French unfurnished N/A in Sweden Via us 2 days (no deposit), otherwise can take a week against deposit of 500 2-5 days No, but under 6 months difficult to find No break clause, tenant has right to give notice anytime. Notice time 3 calendar months 1-2 months deposit For possible damage of the property or movingout cleaning 10-15 days Q8: Are there any other country specific rules The tenant, fee varies, if any Yes Yes It is difficult to find rental with the pets. Corporate lease nearly always essential, to find rental as a private tenant is very difficult The same; contents insurance

Switzerland Basel CHF2500/ 1670 CHF4000/ 2670 No lamps, no curtains Everything including bed linens, towels, kitchen utensils, iron and ironing board, vacuum cleaner, etc. See above Only some piece of furniture 2 days for the phone, 10 for the DSL line About 2-3 weeks 3 months (unless serviced apartment) 1 year 90 days for the end of a month after the first year 3 months rent Nothing (the money can only be taken out of the account with both signatures of owner and tenant) No rule (it takes usually about 3 months if everything is OK) The owner pays. The tenant only pays about CFH200/ 135 for the establishment of the lease Yes on the 1st of the month So many. Too difficult to list all of them Liability insurance is compulsory. Usually tenants will combine it with household goods insurance

Switzerland Berne Switzerland Basel CHF1500/ 1000 CHF2500/ 1670 Fitted kitchen, no lights, nothing else Fully equipped As above Not available 1 day 1 week Monthly 1 year 3 months 3 months is the legal maximum Only used for damages on the property. It sits in a blocked account earning interest No legal time limit, but normally once the handover has been completed The landlord Yes Cleaning on departure needs to really be professionally done, and it is important to note all defects at the time of arrival Liability insurance against accidental damage. Contents insurance is optional

Switzerland Geneva CHF2800/ 1900 CHF3400/ 2300 No furniture at all, perhaps the kitchen will be equipped and sometimes not All necessary furniture and kitchen utensils This is the same as above Minimum furniture, could be only living room or bedroom or only a sofa and some chairs We get the number immediately and the line is activated within 5-7 days Varies. It the owner / agent has agreed to the prospective tenant, (This could take some time since there is a lodgement crisis in Geneva and replies are not often immediate) the tenancy agreement usually arrives not later than 7-10 days later

Switzerland Geneva (cont d) Generally 1-3 months and can be long term 1 year After one year, a written registered letter must be sent to the owner / agent 3 months before the end of the first year if the tenant will not be renewing. The lease is automatically renewed for a one-year period if no notice has been given. The same conditions apply for cancellation 3 months The deposit cannot be used in lieu of rent or repairs without the specific agreement of the tenant at the end of tenancy. The civil responsibility insurance (obligatory in Switzerland) will generally over any damage caused by the tenants. The owner / agent will demand that any unpaid rental be settled before returning the deposit. If unpaid rental remains due, the owner / agent can take legal action in order to allow the deposit to be lodged to cover the amount due Once the inspection and eventual repairs and unpaid rentals have been settled The owner. Tenants in Switzerland do not pay a finders fee to the Estate Agent Yes Obligation to have civil responsibility insurance Contents Insurance is not a legal obligation but highly recommended

Switzerland Zürich CHF2600/ 1800 CHF4000/ 2700 Kitchen: is fully equipped with cabinets, all appliances. Lights in the entrance/bathrooms Fully furnished with basic furniture, light fixtures, curtains, bedding, towels, TV/Audio equipment [Not answered] [Not answered] 2-3 days depending whether there has been a connection before Depending on location, rental budget, criteria of property 2-4 weeks up to months (in the city of Zürich the market is very very dry). It's not finding a place, but GETTING it!

Switzerland Zürich (cont d) From 1 to 3 (6) months minimum Depends on size and contract: mostly 1-2 years then rolling There is no breakclause in rental contract, normal termination conditions are 3 months ahead to end March, (June), September after the minimum rental period is over Up to 3 months rent It is locked in a specially opened deposit account in the name of the tenant and the landlord and cannot be used Latest one year after moving out if there is no claim against tenant and all bills settled Q8: Are there any other country specific rules Landlord pays the real estate/letting agent Yes If you need to get out of rental contract outside termination dates you can introduce a successor who is prepared to take over your lease and conditions, if you do not find anybody, tenant is liable to pay the rent until official termination date Renters third party liability insurance, house contents insurance not obligatory.both insurances usually combined

The Netherlands Amsterdam [Not answered] [Not answered] Empty place in which you have to put your own flooring, window covering, lightning. In some cases you may find kitchen appliances in others only kitchen cabinets See below and fully furnished are basically the same. The property is fully equipped and a tenant only needs to bring his/her personal goods Partly or semi furnished means : floor and window coverings, kitchen appliances About 1 week Depending on the availability of the necessary documents this can be arranged in 2 to 5 days 6 months 12 months We have the so-called diplomat clause which has a notice period of 2 or 3 months and can be applicable from the start One or two months rent Only be used for damage beyond normal wear and tear Varies between 1 to 3 months In general the tenant pays the fee one month rent excluding 19% VAT but in case of NVM real estate agents the landlord pays the commission Yes Diplomatic clause, rent controlled properties (this is quite an issue especially in Amsterdam) Contents insurance, some times glass insurance and personal liability

Turkey Ankara 550 950 780 1200 No furniture and no white goods All furniture and all white goods All furniture and all white goods even with linens, kitchenware etc. Some of the crucial elements of furniture/white goods are missing 2-3 working days It might even be the same day. It depends on the availability of the landlord to meet up the tenant. But an averages is 1-3 days No (depends on the expectations of the landlord) No (depends on the expectations of the landlord) 1 month 1 month rental fee At the time of departure if there are any damages, then the landlord may decide to take the necessary amount from the deposit for renewal purpose In 1 week Bedel pays it as it has to be paid ASAP. It is 12% of the annual rental fee +18% VAT Depends on the contract Some landlords demand to put utilies on tenants name. Some requires full painting upon leaving. It is expected deposit not to be returned before a month This is upon request of the tenant but if they wish they can have insurance for both the goods and for against fire, burglary etc.

Turkey Istanbul USD2000/USD3000 1600/ 2350 USD2500/USD3500 1900/ 2750 Depends on the owner, but no light fixtures, some will have an oven All the appliances, furniture, lights, cutlery, TV, linens [Not answered] Some white goods, kitchen cabinets, no light fixtures 2-3 days In 2-3 days Usually 1 year, but some could be 6 months 1 year 60 days after 12 months 1 month Unpaid bills and for damages in the property, painting 1 month after the evacuation Tenant pays. Usually 12% plus % 18 VAT of the yearly rent Few Some For high budget properties [Not answered] Even if it is not compulsory, recommended to have insurance against theft and fire

UK Belfast 750/ 900 750/ 900 No furniture but includes white goods, curtains/blinds, carpets Furniture, white goods, curtains/blinds, flooring, no television As above and sometimes kitchen equipment such as crockery, cutlery, vacuum cleaner, iron and ironing board, but usually not including bed linen, towels or television except by request Anything the landlord has left in the property but usually open to negotiation to remove furniture or add more as requested 1-2 weeks depending on how soon funds can be paid 1-2 weeks depending on how soon funds can be paid Preferred at least 6 months but will occasionally consider 3 months As above As above or 30 days after 6 months Equivalent of one month s rent Dilapidations, unpaid utility bills 21 days The landlord, usually equivalent to one month s rent Yes Contents insurance Rates (payable to the local authority) are sometimes included in rent but not always. The tenant is always responsible for obtaining a television licence as a legal requirement

UK Birmingham 600-1500 plus per month Very little difference in price With curtains, blinds, flooring, light fittings, white goods dishwasher, tumble dryer, washing machine, cooker, hob, fitted kitchen, fridge and freezer Please see fully furnished in 3) below as furnished can mean some or most of that listed below As above, plus living: sofa, coffee table lamps small tables; dining: table and chairs, sideboard and cupboards: bedrooms: beds, nightstands, chest of drawers: kitchen: table and chairs, fully equipped with all necessary. May have lines and towels and TV which is not supplied in every property Please see 3) Fully Furnished. Part Furnished can mean a little or a lot of those items listed. There are no hard and fast rules If a line has already been installed in the property it can take anything between 2-14 days to arrange to reconnect a line Between 7-14 days

UK Birmingham (cont d) 6 months is the minimum tenancy in England As above The above is fairly standard. However, a break can be requested at any time with agreement with the landlord Usually 1.5 times the monthly rental or more if there is valuable furniture in place might be 2 months rent Any damages repairs or dilapidations found during the tenancy and at the end of the tenancy Approximately 14-21 days depending upon the tenancy deposit scheme in place Fees are usually paid by the company or the employee for the initial invoice which would be for first month s rent, deposit, agent s admin fee. Continuing rent would be paid for by the company or the employee This is usually the case In some cases Premium leases all rent paid up front

UK London Depends purely on location Central London / Kensington 1040pw; North / Outer London 350pw Same as unfurnished Usually white goods only Usually white goods, and at least the basics of furniture (beds, tables, chairs etc) As above Usually white goods, and very basic furniture Must now be done by the individual and not a third party. Depending on whether a line is already in place at a property, and depending on any outstanding bills from previous occupant, a new line should be working in 2 5 days Allow two weeks - but can be less 6 months 6 months 60 days after four months Six weeks rent 8 weeks if pets and/or children Held as security to cover the cost of any shortfall in rent and/or dilapidations 10 days if registered with the TDS. Otherwise by mutual agreement (can be written into tenancy agreement) Landlord pays the letting agent a percentage of the rent Yes - usually Yes - can be quarterly Fully in advance (Premium Lease) The rental market moves very fast. A deal is assured until both parties have signed the tenancy agreement Contents insurance from own goods

UK Manchester Depending on area, poorer areas anything between 400-725/ 480-870, more affluent areas anything from 725-1500/ 870-1800 No difference in price between furnished and unfurnished Carpets, some white goods and curtains generally included All of the above provided as well as everything needed to make a comfortable living home, beds, sofas, wardrobes The same as furnished but in some cases you might even be provided with bedding, towels, crockery, cutlery etc. Would expect to see the basics, carpets and white goods etc. but with additions like a dining table and chairs and wardrobes (no beds) 3 working days 2-3 weeks

UK Manchester (cont d) 6 months 6 months 60 days after four months 4-6 weeks rent Security deposits are refundable under English Law. The law, however, allows landlords to retain part or all of your deposit under certain circumstances They include compensation for: - Outstanding rent - Cleaning the property after tenant has moved out, if it was not as clean as when tenant moved in - Repairing damages caused by tenants or guests, exclusive of normal wear and tear - Replacing or restoring furniture, furnishings, keys, or other items belonging to the landlord, exclusive of ordinary wear and tear With AST no time limit but the landlord has to submit a claim within 14 days of the tenant moving out of the property. Contract: no time Tenant Yes - usually [not answered] Contents insurance