The process of finding a room in Sofia is, as a rule, pretty simple. Every year many international students, digital nomads, remote employees and business professionals move to Sofia and find long-term apartments in the city easily and quickly.
But, just like in any other major city, scams exist in the rental market as well. Although the majority of landlords and estate agents work honestly and professionally, there are still people who take advantage of the newcomers, especially the foreigners who are still not aware of the peculiarities of renting a place in Sofia.
The good news is that rental frauds usually have the same patterns, so by knowing how they operate and which signs indicate such fake schemes, you can avoid being scammed or losing a lot of money.
Why Foreigners Are More Vulnerable
Relocating to a foreign place is an exceptional experience but can be also stressful, especially when you are not aware of the local perks.
If you look for your future apartment from the outside, you might not be aware of some essential things such as how to tell which neighborhoods are expensive, what paperwork you would need to provide, and how much it costs to rent an apartment in Sofia since the prices can vary greatly among different areas. It might also be hard to get through to landlords because of language barriers. However, the good news is that knowing the signs of frauds makes it easier to identify them.
Fake Apartment Listings
Possibly one of the most typical scams is the use of fake apartment listings. Some people make use of pictures from legitimate property sites and write make copies advertising the apartments which are either non-existent or without any intention to rent them out. There are quite a few aspects that characterize them. The apartment looks overly luxurious taking into account its price. The listing contains professional pictures making the apartment look much better than any existing apartments in that neighborhood. The price offered is usually much better than the average for that area.
Another warning signal is when the person offering the apartment states that they are abroad or that they are travelling and that they cannot meet with you. One of the already provided points helps you understand where the problems may lie. Generally speaking, when an offer looks much cheaper than an average listing in the same areas, you should think carefully.
Never Pay Before Viewing the Property
One popular type of scam is one where someone asks for money before you see the apartment. Landlords and real estate agents know that people want to check out an apartment before paying any money. You should never be required to wire a deposit, reservation fee, or first month’s rent just to set a viewing.
Be very careful about payment methods if the other party asks for money to be sent in electric cash, wire transfers, money orders, or anything else. If possible, arrange for an actual viewing to take place in person or through live video. Then, if you like the property, ask for a rental agreement draft. Revise it, sign it and then pay on a legitimate basis.
Misleading Property Descriptions
Every fraudulent scheme does not imply a non-existent apartment. It is quite possible that the apartment really exists but the leasing agent offers it in a more appealing way than it is in reality. For instance, if you see pictures taken from a wide-angle lens, the apartment will look more spacious than it really is. The apartment may be displayed in a picture as it was before it had been worn out during the years.
Some listings claim that a flat is situated in a good neighbourhood or relatively close to the subway station but actually, it is several kilometers away from this location. The landlord or agent should provide pictures as well as video displays of the apartment before you decide to sign a lease.
Check the location of the apartment using Google Maps and see what kind of facilities are available in the neighborhood, such as public transport stops, supermarkets, parks, schools, etc. Don’t hesitate to ask any ancillary questions about the apartment and its conditions like furniture, heating, utilities, etc.
Carefully Review the Rental Agreement
When you have found a great apartment, make sure to thoroughly check the lease agreement before signing it. Every lease should contain certain information regarding the rent payments, such as the amount of rent per month, the security deposit, the length of the lease, and the notice period to be given by the landlord.
Also, it is important to know who will be paying the utility bills and maintenance costs during the rental period as well as making any repairs. If you do not speak Bulgarian and the lease is in Bulgarian, it is better to have it translated. Never sign any document without understanding it because signing without understanding won’t be an excuse if there are problems in future.
Research the Local Rental Market
To stay safe, one of the best things to do before you begin looking for your apartment to rent is to learn about the average rental prices in the city. Rental prices differ greatly in Sofia depending on the area. Premium neighborhoods like Lozenets, Iztok and Oborishte tend to be more expensive as compared to other neighborhoods of Sofia because of their location, brand name and standard of the apartments. Neighborhoods such as Mladost, Studentski Grad, Druzhba and Ovcha Kupel offer cheap alternatives to renting the apartment while having modern public transportation and infrastructure.
When you know how much apartments cost on average in each area, it will be easier for you to identify unrealistic offers. That is to say, if an apartment is far cheaper than other similar ones, you have to check why it is so.
Verify the Apartment and the Owner
As a first step – you need to check if the apartment actually exists. And if it does – is it really available for rent as stated in the advertisement. If you can get in touch with the landlord or agent, and ask for extra images or a video call to check the condition of the property – this would be a step forward. It is important also to ask about previous utility bills of the property in order to be prepared and avoid extra costs which are out of your budget.
It truly is amazing how a few minor things can help you find out if the listing is real or not. Ask for the owner and make sure that the property belongs to him or at least that he has the right to rent it. It is very important to know who is the real owner of the property you are renting.
Consider Working with a Local Relocation Expert
Almost all people from abroad, who are coming to a different country, have difficulty finding an apartment. Language barriers, time zone differences, unfamiliar neighborhoods and the inability to attend a viewing while still living abroad make the process difficult and stressful. If you are working with a trusted real estate agent or a relocation specialist, those risks can be managed and reduced to minimum.
Instead of choosing your apartment only through some photos on an online listing, such experts can help you verify the property, negotiate directly with landlords and agencies, arrange the viewings in a convenient time for you, while making the video tour live, take care of the rental contracts and help you identify a potential red flags before you commit to a certain apartment. This will save you a lot of time and stress, while you are focused on the other aspects of relocating to Bulgaria.
The real estate rental market for foreigners in Sofia is dynamic as many foreigners move to Bulgaria every year without a problem. However, being prepared and patient, can help you identify possible threats early on and find your new apartment with confidence and minimized stress.
A thorough research of the neighbourhoods, verifying listings, reviewing agreements and not making advance payment until the property is verified can help you save money and headaches while looking for an apartment to rent in Sofia.
At RentIt.bg we specialize in helping expats, remote workers, students and other international professionals to find their rental apartment stress free with all the needed documentation. Our local expertise helps us verify the property and support you through the journey, avoiding mistakes.
We believe that moving to another country is an exciting event as every new beginning, but it should not be a stressful one. With the right partner and reliable guidance, finding an apartment to live in Sofia can be fast and easy.
