We bring you the second and final part of our series on renting abroad. In this episode, we look at what the rules are in three more countries – Croatia, France and Thailand. We’ll also conclude the series with advice on what to find out before renting a house abroad.
Read also the first part of the series on renting a house abroad. In this part we focus on Italy, Greece and Spain. In addition, we also give you some advice on how to actually search for a house rental abroad.
Many Facebook groups aimed at helping foreigners find a place to live in Croatia will come in handy. In addition, it’s also a good idea to use local portals bringing together property listings – the most popular choices include Njuškalo, Crozilla and Realitica.
As part of the rental agreement, you are usually required to pay a deposit of 1-2 rents. It should also be taken into account that utility and service charges are not included in the rent in most cases.
There are two basic types of rental contracts in Croatia:
If you decide to terminate the lease early, you must give the landlord at least three months’ notice. In case you have a fixed-term contract and you are not interested in extending it, you must inform the landlord at least one month before the end of the contract otherwise the contract will be automatically extended.
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Finding a house in France is likely to be easier than in the other countries mentioned, as there are more properties to rent. It will be easiest to find accommodation in the larger cities. Here, however, you’re more likely to find only apartments. You will therefore need to look for houses in rural areas, where the supply of rental properties is more limited. When looking, it is best to use online portals such as A Vende A louer, Blueground or Homelike. Alternatively, you can use the services of local estate agents or agences immobilieres and rent a house through them. In this case, however, expect a higher price than renting directly from the owner.
The rental contract usually includes a deposit. The maximum amount is one month’s rent and must be returned to you within two months after the end of the tenancy. You should also take into account that utilities and services are not included in the rent.
If you decide to end your tenancy, you must inform the landlord in writing at least one month in advance. The landlord has the same obligation, but the minimum period is set at 3 months. In addition, they can only terminate the contract if certain conditions are met, such as selling the flat or needing accommodation for themselves.
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Thailand is located somewhat further away than the other countries mentioned. However, it still manages to offer very low prices, vibrant cities, beautiful nature and a unique atmosphere. Finding a rental here is very easy. It is best to contact local estate agents specialising in expatriate residence, such as the Sense property group. But you can also search on your own, preferably online. For this purpose, try Thailand property or the classic Booking.
The standard length of a rental agreement is 12 months, but it is possible to arrange a shorter lease upon agreement. If the length of the lease will exceed three years, it will need to be written in Thai and registered with the land office. There is no automatic renewal when the lease expires, so the terms need to be specified in the contract.
In most leases you will need to pay a security deposit equal to two rents and pay the first rent in advance. The maximum security deposit is limited to a price equal to three rents or one rent if the landlord has more than one property to let. Tenancy agreements are often not in writing and are quite informal. Therefore, to avoid potential problems, it is better to use the services of an estate agent to draw up the agreement. The terms and the period of termination should be set out in the lease.
Tip: Are there any unanswered questions? Are you interested in the specifics of other countries or any other legal aspects? Do not hesitate to ask us. We will provide you with an answer to any legal question and within this answer we will propose a solution to your legal problem.
We’ve brought you information on how renting works in six different countries. But the rules can vary greatly from country to country, especially if you’re looking to rent outside the European Union. That’s why we’re ending this series with a general summary of the information you need to find out before signing a tenancy agreement:
Read also the first part of the series on renting a house abroad. In this part we focus on Italy, Greece and Spain. In addition, we also give you some advice on how to actually search for a house rental abroad.
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Our team of experienced attorneys will help you solve any legal issue. Within 24 hours we’ll evaluate your situation and suggest a step-by-step solution, including all costs. The price for this proposal is only CZK 690, and this is refunded to you when you order service from us.
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