6 Emergency Tips for Rental Home Seekers

If a tenant needs to find a new rental home under the state of emergency conditions currently in effect in the country, it must be done while maintaining social distance and following hygiene rules.

According to Laura Tammeorg, marketing and product development director of the real estate portal Kinnisvara24.ee, despite current recommendations to stay home, some people still need to rent a new apartment or house: "It is recommended to stay home and study or work from a home office, but if you don't have that home – for example, if your rental agreement is ending or if there is another reason to move – then when searching for a new home, you must follow rules that ensure hygiene and health."

Tammeorg highlighted five recommendations to follow when searching for a rental home right now:

Do your homework online

Real estate portals have large photos and detailed information about rental apartments. Work through this information without leaving home and select 3-5 apartments that you would like to see with your own eyes.

Ask for a virtual viewing

To make sure the apartment matches the information and photos in the listing, you don't necessarily have to go there in person. Some agents offer virtual apartment viewings via video call. Ask the apartment owner or agent what smart solutions could be used.

Contactless viewing

If you are fairly certain in your choice and want to visit the location before signing a contract, agree with the agent on the details of the meeting in advance. The agent could open the door and air out the apartment with fresh air and then wait outside, for example, since they don't necessarily need to be present during the apartment viewing. If you do go to the apartment together, maintain a safe distance of 1-2 meters. You should definitely avoid handshakes.

Follow hygiene rules

Wash your hands before and after entering the apartment. Ask the agent to disinfect door handles and touch as few things as possible. If possible, wear gloves and a face mask.

Use the advantages arising from the state of emergency

Since the tourism sector is currently on pause, apartments intended for short-term rental are standing empty. Some of them are being put on the long-term rental market, which increases the supply of rental apartments and houses. This in turn puts pressure on prices and gives tenants more favorable conditions for price and terms negotiations.

Rent without a deposit

In economically uncertain times, it is not wise to tie up your money as a deposit. On the Kinnisvara24 portal, it is possible to search for apartments without a deposit, which are offered with a Rendin rental agreement. The Rendin service means for the tenant that no deposit needs to be paid, but a service fee of 2.5% of the monthly rent is added each month – for example, for a 500-euro rent, the service fee is 12.50. For the property owner, the Rendin service is free and their property is protected by ERGO rental agreement insurance.

You can view rental offers without a deposit from here>>