Regardless of the purpose of the visit to the Estonian capital, every traveler is faced with the question of finding accommodation. For a short visit, many people prefer to book a hotel or hostel somewhere in the center in order to be closer to the main attractions. You always want to spend a longer stay in a more comfortable environment, and then the best option is to rent an apartment in Tallinn.
A little about the real estate market in Tallinn
After Estonia joined the European Union, housing prices in the country were kept at a fairly low level for some time. Non-residents of the European Union, who cherished the idea of moving to one of the European powers, drew attention to this.
The boom in the construction of new facilities in Tallinn began in the early 2000s. Today, activity has dropped somewhat, but no abrupt halt in construction is observed. Objects remain in demand in the primary market, in the secondary market, and in houses under construction. Real estate rental interests most of all students and labor migrants.
The demand for housing in the Republic of Estonia is supported by a stable economy, rising wages and a low unemployment rate.
Tallinn has seen a significant renewal of its periphery sleeping areas. A large number of new buildings are being built here, shopping centers are opening, infrastructure is developing. Housing in these parts of the city is being bought and sold quite actively, which is caused by the desire of the people of Tallinn to renew their living conditions.
There are no sharp jumps in the real estate market in the pricing policy either. The capital remains the most demanded and expensive region in the country.
Choosing a housing option
When starting the search for a suitable option, one should recall the Soviet past of Estonia, which left an imprint on the housing stock of its capital. Some districts of the city look very much like many Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian and other cities. Tallinn has changed significantly in recent years, so that today you can see the historic center, the Soviet periphery and new modern districts on the outskirts of the city.
What you should pay attention to:
- One-room apartments, two-bedroom apartments and micro-apartments (up to 20 square meters) are popular. The latter are bought most often by investors with the subsequent prospect of renting out such housing.
- Special attention should be paid to the "Khrushchevs", of which there are many in the Estonian capital since the times of the USSR. Buying and renting an apartment in such a house should not be intimidating, since the entire housing stock of this segment is maintained in good condition. Major repairs have been carried out in many houses.
- Private houses are located in areas remote from the center. They are most often interested in migrants who come here with their whole families. And although at first they will also have to rent an apartment in Tallinn for a month, the final version for this category of visitors is still cottages and detached houses.
A notable feature of residential real estate in the Estonian capital is house associations, which manage houses, take care of their improvement and safety. These organizations include apartment owners. Money for household expenses is allocated by the state or municipality. Residents of the home often trust partnerships to look after the home during their absence.
Commercial real estate in Tallinn is of interest to businessmen who open a business here. There is a tangible demand for offices, shops, warehouses.
Taxes are an integral part of doing business, which is described in the article “Tax system in Estonia: simple and effective”.
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Where to live in Tallinn
The capital of Estonia is subdivided into 8 districts. All of them differ in the type of development and prices for rent and purchase of square meters. A short overview will help you choose the best option:
- Kesklinn or center. This includes the Old Town, Aegna Island and the business center, which houses government buildings, ministries, museums, theaters and libraries.
The port and Tallinn University are also located here. In this part of the city, housing prices are the highest not only in the capital, but also in the Republic as a whole. The architectural ensemble of the center is very diverse. On its streets you can meet modern skyscrapers and wooden houses with several apartments. The latter, in some cases, may still be on the stove heating. In this part of the city, you need to be prepared for the hustle and bustle and a large number of people.
- Kristiine. There is also a variety of buildings: both wooden and brick houses, and new buildings. The area is named after the Queen of Sweden Christina, since the first buildings were laid here during her reign. This part of the city has many parks, a large fashionable shopping center, and has good connections with other areas by buses and trams.
- Lasnamäe is considered the largest urban area with a large Russian-speaking population. The buildings here are panel buildings from the early 80s of the last century. Technopolis Ülemiste (a business center where most of the city's IT companies are residents), the Athletics Center, and the Ice Palace are also located in this part of the city. It is convenient for families with children to settle here, since hospitals, schools and kindergartens are located nearby.
- Mustamäe or Black Mountain is the second largest. Building type - nine-story panel buildings. Tallinn Technical University, Technopol Science Park, and a medical town are located in this area.
- Haabersti is a residential area with architecture from the 70s of the XX century. The capital's zoo, the Saku Suurhall concert complex, the ethnographic museum, the city skating rink and the large Rocca al Mare shopping center are located here. The favorite vacation spot of local residents is Lake Harku.
- Nõmme or "Wasteland" until 1940 was an independent city. The type of buildings is small and private houses. The area is planted with pine trees, and in its vicinity is the castle of Baron von Glen (known for the film adaptation of Conan Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles"), a ski jump. You can get to the city from here by train.
Pirita is an area with private houses on the coast of the bay. It is considered the most prestigious part of the city. There is the main municipal beach, a TV tower, a yacht club, and the remains of Brigitte's monastery. Among the disadvantages of the area are frequent traffic jams.
- Põhja-Tallinn - located by the sea, includes the trendy Telliskivi and Kalamaja districts and the old zones of the Kopli peninsula. People come here to look at the bird sanctuary, relax on local beaches.
How to look for options
To rent a room in Tallinn, an apartment or a house, you can use different search methods:
- On one's own. To do this, you will have to monitor special resources with rental announcements on a daily basis. Pay attention to the following:
- City24 - the site has a Russian version. Here you can buy, rent or rent cheap housing for a short period.
- Kv.ee - with the help of filters you can filter out the necessary options and find housing in any part of the city. The menu is available in Russian.
- Through intermediaries. This path saves you from many worries, from searching for options to legal issues. You can contact the following companies:
- N.Kinnisvarabüroo OÜ is a joint Estonian-Russian company dealing with all real estate transactions.
- Grosswelt - you can find housing here in any region of the country, there is a Russian version of the site.
- Forums and groups in social networks. In addition to what they can offer accommodation for daily rent and options where to rent an apartment inexpensively, guests of the capital will be able to get a lot of advice.
Signing a contract
The easiest way will be for those who are interested in renting an apartment in Tallinn for a long time. Once an option is selected, the landlord and tenant sign an agreement that will define the relationship between them.
The agreement can be concluded for a certain period, or it can be indefinite. In the second case, the rent price can be reviewed every six months.
The following information must be prescribed in the document:
- information about both parties;
- information about the object (address, area);
- a description of the state in which the apartment or house is transferred to the tenant;
- the amount of payment for the lease and the procedure for its payment;
- specifics of covering utility bills;
- the term of the contract, the procedure for its termination;
- responsibilities of both parties;
- the procedure for compensation for losses caused to property in the apartment.
The agreement can be signed in the presence of the broker. Of the documents, the tenant will only need a passport and a copy of it.
How much will it cost to rent an apartment
How much it costs to rent an apartment in Tallinn depends on many factors:
- the area in which it is located;
- condition of housing;
- number of rooms;
- the presence of furniture and household appliances;
- the well-being of the building itself.
In a prestigious area, a two-room apartment will cost 400-500 euros per month. In a residential area, you can find a good option for 300 euros. The same amount will have to be paid as collateral. If at the end of the contractual relationship with the apartment nothing happens and everything remains in good working order, this amount is returned to the tenants.
A separate budget should be planned for utility bills:
- utilities for an apartment of 85 sq. m, including water, heating, electricity, garbage disposal, will amount to 180-200 euros per month;
- mobile communication - 0.03 euros per 1 minute of conversation;
- internet - 20 euros per month.
Broker services are paid additionally. Usually commission is paid to him in the amount of the monthly rent for the housing.
Questions concerning the standard and cost of living in the Baltic country are discussed in the article “The pros and cons of living in Estonia”.
Important points to pay attention to
Renting a home in Estonia is not only life in a country with a special atmosphere and beautiful nature, but also everyday everyday issues that sometimes baffle you. So, what you need to pay attention to when choosing an apartment or house:
- The older the building is, the more communal surprises it can conceal. For example, buildings in the central part of the city are characterized by excessive dampness. They get rid of it either with the help of climate control systems, or through stove or fireplace heating. The first is expensive, the second is troublesome.
- Heating. In the old housing stock, the stove heating option prevails. The new houses are connected to central heating, and the apartments are equipped not with the usual batteries, but with pipes installed in the floor. Electric heating is sometimes encountered, but in this case, you need to be prepared for high electricity bills.
- Parking is available. In apartment buildings, each apartment usually has its own parking space. Estonians are not very welcoming when someone else leaves their vehicle in their parking lot. Parking your car on the street is also not the best option, since all parking is paid.
- Hot water. Tallinn uses two options: central water supply or boiler. The latter will significantly save money.
Outcomes
The Tallinn real estate market today offers housing options for every pocket. These can be apartments in new buildings, in Soviet-era houses, or apartments under construction. The most expensive properties are located in the city center and in prestigious residential areas.
The average cost of a rented apartment is 300-400 euros per month. To rent a room, you need to conclude an agreement with the owner and get ready not only to immediately pay the monthly rental cost, but also to leave a deposit in the same amount.
