Question 1

What is the average rent for a property in Schengen?

Accepted Answer

The average rent for a property in Schengen is around € 1767 per month, excluding utilities. Prices generally range between € 1400 and € 2200, depending on the size, location, and condition of the rental property in Schengen. A studio tends to fall in the lower range, while a house or a large apartment pushes prices higher. Neighborhoods close to the city center often have higher rents than outlying areas. To find a rental in Schengen at the best price, compare several property listings in Schengen on Rentola and check whether utilities are included in the advertised amount.

Question 2

What charges are included in the property rent in Schengen?

Accepted Answer

The rent amount for a property in Schengen generally covers only the provision of the accommodation; rental charges are billed separately and can add €150 to 300 per month to the total budget, depending on the property and its amenities. These charges are paid as a monthly provision, adjusted once a year. Depending on the lease, the rent may include: Generally included:
- Use of the property and common areas — garden, cellar, outdoor parking, depending on the rental property in Schengen offered directly from private landlords;
- Furniture and appliances — for a furnished property in Schengen, at no additional cost. Sometimes included (check in the lease):
- Common charges / building management fees — €50–150 per month, for the maintenance of common areas and the elevator;
- Cold water — €20–40 per month, often included in the charges provision;
- Collective heating — €80–200 per month, if the building has shared central heating. Generally excluded from the rent in Schengen:
- Electricity — €60–120;
- Gas / individual heating — €80–180;
- Internet — €30–50;
- Municipal waste tax — €15–30. Before renting a long-term property in Schengen, always ask for the exact breakdown of charges included in the lease.

Question 3

What types of heating are most common in rental properties in Schengen?

Accepted Answer

Natural gas and heating oil (fuel oil) remain the most widespread heating types in rental properties in Schengen, particularly in existing, non-renovated buildings. Heating is generally not included in the rent and costs on average between €100 and 250 per month, potentially exceeding €300 in winter depending on the system and energy class. The most common systems are:
1. Gas boiler: €100–220 per month in winter, €30–60 in the mid-season;
2. Oil heating: €120–280 per month in winter, common in detached houses in rural areas not connected to gas;
3. Heat pump (air-to-water): €70–150 per month, increasingly common even in renovations, thanks to excellent energy efficiency; gas and oil are now banned in new constructions;
4. Direct electric heating: €90–180 per month, especially in studios or small apartments.
The energy class (energy performance certificate) strongly influences these amounts:
- A–B: low consumption, around €50–150 per month;
- C–D: average costs, around €150–300 per month;
- E–F: high costs, potentially exceeding €400 per month in winter.
Before visiting one of the rental properties in Schengen, always ask about the heating type and the energy certificate of a rental property in Schengen, which is often missing from listings.

Question 4

What is the amount of the security deposit for a rental property in Schengen?

Accepted Answer

The security deposit for a rental property in Schengen is capped by law at a maximum of 2 months' rent excluding utilities. It is paid before the keys are handed over, at the same time as the signing of the lease.
What it covers:
- Unpaid rent or charges at the end of the lease;
- Tenant repairs noted in the check-out inventory, beyond normal wear and tear.
Refund:
- Half is refunded within the month following the handover of the keys, if no damage or unpaid amount is found;
- The remaining balance is paid after the annual charges have been settled, once the final accounts are known.
For a rental in Schengen from private landlords, especially long-term, always check the deposit method (blocked account or direct payment) in property listings in Schengen before signing.

Question 5

Can the landlord increase the rent during the lease for a property in Schengen?

Accepted Answer

No, the landlord cannot freely increase the rent during the lease for a property in Schengen: Luxembourg law strictly regulates any adjustment. Two rules apply:
- Frequency: the rent can only be revised once every 2 years at minimum;
- Combined caps: the annual rent must never exceed 5% of the capital invested in the property, and each increase is limited to 10% of the current rent.
Exception: an early revision remains possible if the landlord carries out substantial improvement or renovation works that increase the value of the property.
Some leases, particularly for rentals from private landlords in Schengen or long-term rentals, contain an indexation clause linked to the cost of living. The law in principle prohibits this type of automatic clause, but it remains applicable as long as the tenant does not challenge it by registered letter.
If an increase exceeds 10% and the tenant refuses it, the dispute is settled by the Rent Commission. For any rental property in Schengen, it is advisable to check the revision clauses before signing and to keep all correspondence related to a rent increase request.

Question 6

What documents are needed to rent a property in Schengen?

Accepted Answer

To rent a property in Schengen, you generally need to put together a file with several documents proving your identity, income, and solvency. The documents usually requested are:
1. Proof of identity: valid identity card or passport.
2. Proof of income: the last 3 payslips, an employment contract, or your latest tax notice.
3. Bank account details (RIB): to facilitate the rent transfer.
4. Guarantor or joint surety: parents or relatives, if the income is considered insufficient.
5. Useful optional documents: letter of recommendation from the previous landlord, proof of professional seniority.
There is no income/rent ratio set by law, but landlords often ask for a net monthly income equivalent to around 3 times the rent, in order to ensure your ability to pay over the duration of the lease. To rent a property in Schengen from private landlords, a complete file without an intermediary is often enough, without going through an agency.
Prepare this file in advance: demand for any rental property in Schengen remains strong, and well-located properties are rented within a few days. For a long-term rental, a solid and complete file clearly increases your chances against the competition.

Question 7

What is the difference between a furnished lease and an unfurnished lease for a property in Schengen?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between the two lies in the price and the equipment provided. In both cases, the base rent remains capped at 5% of the capital invested in the property, but a furnished property in Schengen allows the landlord to additionally charge a monthly supplement for the furniture, shown separately in the contract and capped at 1.5% per month of the furniture's value (invoices less than 10 years old). Specifically, for furniture invoiced at €10,000, this supplement cannot exceed €150 per month.
What is provided:
- Furnished: bed, table, chairs, refrigerator, hot plates, and basic kitchen utensils, enough to move in immediately, without buying furniture;
- Unfurnished: property delivered empty, sometimes with only a fitted kitchen; the tenant must bring their own furniture and appliances.
What actually changes for the tenant:
- A furnished property in Schengen is suitable for a quick move-in, with no time needed to set up;
- An unfurnished property is often cheaper per month, but requires an initial investment to furnish the place — ideal for a long-term rental in Schengen.
Before signing a rental from private landlords in Schengen, always check whether a detailed furniture inventory is attached to the lease: it will serve as a reference for the check-out inventory and helps avoid disputes over the condition of the furniture.

Question 8

How long does a standard rental lease last for a property in Schengen?

Accepted Answer

There is no single standard duration for a property in Schengen: the lease can be concluded for a fixed term or an indefinite term, depending on the agreement between the parties.
Common lease types:
- Fixed-term lease — often 1 to 3 years, ends automatically at expiry unless notice is given in time;
- Indefinite-term lease — continues with no end date, terminable at any time subject to legal notice; this is the most flexible option for a long-term rental in Schengen.
What you need to know:
- Automatic renewal: if neither party gives notice before a fixed-term lease expires, it automatically converts into an indefinite-term lease;
- Tenant's notice period: generally 3 months, by registered letter;
- Landlord's notice period: 3 or 6 months depending on the reason for termination invoked;
- Rent increase: not possible during the lease, except for a contestable indexation clause or a revision every 2 years, within the legal limit.
For any rental property in Schengen, particularly rentals from private landlords, always check whether rental listings in Schengen specify the duration and termination conditions before applying among the available rental properties in Schengen.

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