The Intermediate Guide to Furnished Monthly Apartments for Rent in Luxembourg
Are you tired of all the basic guides about furnished monthly apartments for rent in Luxembourg? So am I, to be honest. Luxembourg is a popular choice for apartment rentals between enthusiastic tourists and hopeful expats. But what does the reality look like?
That’s what I’m going to break down here so that you can rent in this dreamlike country comfortably nestled in the heart of Europe. These tips and essential pointers will be helpful to remember so you don’t make beginner mistakes.
Rent Over Buying
Before committing to anything, many people ask whether they should rent an apartment or go straight into buying property. This depends on many factors, for example, how much you’ve saved up and whether you already have a job or reliable means of income.
Over time, finding property for sale has become unreasonably expensive, leading to a stark increase in renters. Many locals lean towards renting if they don’t have their property already.
Look in the Right Direction
But after you’ve settled on renting, where can you find reliable housing? Many great sites like Blueground can simplify the process. Alternatively, you can check out local listings, hire a real estate agent or watch out for any other kind of bulletin boards that would advertise this information.
Short Term vs. Long Term Rentals
The next question is whether or not to go long term. Now in most other parts of the world, you can get an easy discount by going for the long term option, which brings down the price nicely.
But Luxembourg is a bit different, and you’ll find it cheaper to go short term and renew that as needed. Since many find themselves in Luxembourg, they’re unsure how long they will stay.
Being a country in the EU, there are also a lot of rules and regulations at play, so the last thing you want to do is accidentally agree to a lease where the terms aren’t in your favour.
Understanding the Rental Contracts
So now it’s time for the legalities. No one looks forward to this part, but this is how you avoid getting into unwanted problems. The contracts aren’t confusing or difficult to understand, but some points are worth noting.
Come Correct with Documentation
The standard practice of these rental contracts is to reach a mutually beneficial agreement between the landlord and the tenant. But here’s the thing, you aren’t the only one in line. Typically, multiple applicants are in a race to win the property, just like you.
Standing out from this crowd is where documentation is essential since many people will need time to collect and check everything properly.
What you need is to bring your proof of identification (can be an ID card or passport, as long as it verifies who you are), the relevant documents that show you can live and work in Luxembourg, proof of income (simple payslips will do), and in some cases you might also need to show that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account.
Don’t Worry About Language Barriers
Many get anxious about signing a contract for a Luxembourg rental. And that’s understandable since they aren’t usually written in English; they’re written in the local languages of the area. These would be French, German or Luxembourgish.
But this isn’t a cause for concern because you will always have access to a translator who will guide and assist you accordingly. Every aspect of the negotiation process needs you to be fully on board with the terms. As I said earlier, the EU is particular about its regulations, so if a landlord even attempts to take advantage of your unfamiliarity with the language, there would be consequences for them.
Knowing Your Rights and Responsibilities
Your primary responsibility as a tenant is to pay every month to your landlord, along with any damage to the space while you live in it. Other than that, you have to make sure you have specific clauses added to your contract if you’re a business traveller.
Usually, people coming to Luxembourg on business have an added line about a three-month notice. Since many of these business travellers are unsure how extended their stay will be, this three-month notice covers them and the landlord.
It allows them to terminate the lease per their needs, and they will compensate the landlord with three months’ rent.
Luxembourg is Tenant-Friendly
All of this is to say that Luxembourg is a fan of tenants; the rules and attitudes of landlords here are considerate and understanding. You can quickly negotiate terms with them and work out good agreements for all parties.
However, you must keep up your end of the deal with regular payments and take responsibility for any damage you might have caused.