Foreigners coming to Russia on business or for sightseeing have to decide where to stay: in a private apartment or a hotel. On the one hand hotels are reliable and, what's more important, they are in charge of registering your visa upon your arrival. On the other hand, the price they want for a room, no matter single or double, is often too high for the service given. Renting a flat turns out to be more beneficial if you travel with friends, besides, many people see it as the way to be more independent.

Here are some tips, which can make the procedure of renting a flat easy and safe.

1. Rental Agreement

Although there are lots of rental agencies in Russia, just a part of them can be called trustworthy, so the first thing you should examine before signing any documents and paying money is the Rental agreement. The agreement is to include the information on the following:

1. the address of the flat rented and the tenant and landlord's passport details

2. the responsibility the Tenant takes to keep the flat in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted

3. the rental period, the size of the fee and ways to pay (by credit card, cash, etc.)

4. the number of utilities and services furnished by the Landlord

Also, it's a good idea to ask the landlord about the document confirming his real estate right of possession.

2. Price

The rule saying “the closer your apartment to the city centre, the more you'll pay for it” usually works. So, if you are offered a cheap variant “looking down the Kremlin”, you have good reasons to find the deal suspicious. Look through the average prices on apartments in the city you're going to visit beforehand – this will help you to find the best value for money. On our website you can see the list of apartments with details and book the one you like.

3. Building

In Russia most apartments are rented in blocks of flats and just some of them are new. If you want to be sure in your neighbours, look at the area at the entrance and near the elevator. Dirty floor, bad smell and shabby walls obviously mean the people living here should not be trusted. Think twice before renting a flat in such a building even if it's really cheap.

4. District

The location of the district is exceptionally important for all foreigners. If you are a tourist and going to spend a week or two in one city, then the historical centre is for you – most tourist attractions are located close to it. If you are in Russia on business, picking the district is easier: choose one which is closer to your office, but never forget about criminals – they often find their victims in residential districts when it's getting dark.

That's probably all you should remember before renting a flat in Russia, but if you still have questions, you can leave a comment below, we'll do our best to answer it.

Olga Pletneva