Accommodation in Cyprus

If you’re moving to Cyprus, you will need to spend some time getting to grips with the country’s property market and the options available to you. Choosing the right type of home in the right part of the country will directly affect the quality of your expat experience in Cyprus.

In recent years, the general trend has been for foreign investors and expats to move to Cyprus to buy property rather than rent on the island. This has influenced the property market, causing prices to soar with increased demand.

The process of renting and buying accommodation in Cyprus is largely the same, regardless of whether you are buying in the ‘Turkish North’ or the ‘Greek South.’ The one major difference is that in the South, properties tend to be newer, fancier, pricier and easier for foreign nationals to purchase.

Types of accommodation in Cyprus

Expats moving to Cyprus will find plenty of housing options, including furnished or unfurnished apartments, villas and traditional rural stone houses. The standard of accommodation in Cyprus is generally excellent, as a lot of the property on the island is fairly new. Air conditioning and heating are common, and most houses in Cyprus have either a shared or private pool.

Villas are spacious, multi-roomed Mediterranean-style homes. They feature lush gardens and often come with a pool. They usually consist of one or two storeys.

Cheaper than villas, apartments are frequently found in seaside areas. Their elevated position allows for great ocean views from the upper floors. Though they offer less space than freestanding houses, they are also much easier to maintain.

In the more rural areas of Cyprus, towards the centre of the island, you can find traditional stone houses. These are often somewhat dilapidated but are cheap, full of character and make for a fantastic home makeover project.

Furnished vs unfurnished

Rented apartments in Cyprus are usually furnished, while houses are unfurnished. Shipping furniture to Cyprus is a viable option (especially from within the EU), but reasonably priced furniture is easily found around the island.

Short lets

As a tourist hub, Cyprus offers many short-term options throughout the island. Short lets are often a great option for expats who will only be in the country for the short term. If you’ve just arrived in the country, you can rent a short-let apartment while getting to know your new neighbourhood. Short lets are also often more affordable than traditional hotels, as they often include utilities like WiFi, electricity, water, and cleaning fees.

Finding accommodation in Cyprus

If you’re looking to rent accommodation in Cyprus, you will find that online property portals are often the best place to start. Newspaper advertisements can also be great sources of information, and estate agents can be helpful but will charge a fee.

Looking for accommodation in the low season can be a good strategy – not only will there be more options for short-term accommodation options while searching for a long-term home, but you may be able to negotiate a longer stay at a good rate.

Useful links

• Home.cy
• Cyprus Property Portal

Renting accommodation in Cyprus

Making an application

Potential tenants must apply via an estate agent or directly to the landlord. As an expat applying for accommodation in Cyprus, you may need to submit documents such as your passport, visa, and proof of income.

Leases

Leases can be short-term, lasting six months or less, or long-term, lasting 12 months. Some leases may be renewable, but you should discuss this with the landlord before signing. If the lease is written in Greek, it’s essential that you have it translated into English to ensure you are aware of all the terms.

Deposits

Before moving in, tenants must pay a deposit equal to one month’s rent upfront. If the property is returned in good condition at the end of the lease, the deposit should be returned to tenants in full. If the tenant has damaged the house in any way, the amount for repairs and cleaning will be subtracted from the deposit.

Terminating the lease

Terminating a lease is usually a difficult process that requires a month or two’s notice. A landlord can terminate a lease if rent has not been paid or if the landlord intends to demolish or use the property for family or themselves.

Utilities in Cyprus

As a tenant in Cyprus, you are usually responsible for your utility bills. These can be quite costly and should be factored into the housing budget.

Electricity

The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) is the main electricity supplier in Cyprus. The electricity market in the country was recently deregulated, and several private companies have been introduced to the market. If your landlord has yet to start your electricity service, you can visit a local EAC customer centre to request that they turn your electricity on.

We recommend visiting the customer centre with the current meter readings to ensure you are not overcharged. If your landlord has the account in their name, they usually send you a monthly bill. Otherwise, you can pay your bill on the EAC’s website.

Gas

Cyprus has no piped natural gas, so most households use bottled gas for cooking or heating. Gas canisters are available for sale at supermarkets, while you can request delivery from registered sellers like Intergaz or Coral Gas Cyprus for larger gas quantities.

Water

Individual municipalities oversee the water supply in Cyprus’ different areas, but the Cyprus Water Development Department manages the national water supply. Most landlords will charge water as part of the rental fee, but if you are obligated to pay for water separately, you must register an account with the local municipality.

To start a water connection, you will typically need to supply your local authority with your identity documentation, proof of address, and previous water bill. As an expat, you will likely need to pay a higher deposit. Your application will then be processed, and you will be informed once the account is registered in your name.

Bins and recycling

Similarly to water, individual municipalities are responsible for waste collection and setting their rates and taxes. Municipality fees are paid annually and sent out in October, with the payment expected by December.

Waste collection in Cyprus works on a door-to-door collection system, and municipalities encourage separating waste at source. As such, they provide different coloured bins for sorting recyclable waste.

• Brown bins: for paper and cardboard
• Blue bins: for metal cans, plastic bottles, and juice bags

Glass waste must be taken to designated recycling centres like supermarkets. There are also recycling stations dotted around the island, managed by the Green Dot Cyprus recycling initiative.

Internet

Keeping in touch with your family and friends will be easy in Cyprus thanks to the island’s sophisticated and efficient telecommunications infrastructure. If you would like ADSL service for internet connectivity, you must also have a phone line. Several cellphone companies, like Cytanet, PrimeTel, and epic Cyprus, offer contract or pay-as-you-go options. These companies also provide WiFi and fibre connections and access to digital television.

Useful links

• Electricity Authority of Cyprus
• Coral Gas Cyprus
• Cyprus Water Development Department
• Green Dot Cyprus
• Cytanet
• PrimeTel
• epic Cyprus