Are you planning to rent a villa in Bali long-term? Then you need to read this article. I’ve written a complete guide on how to do so.
As a property agent in Bali, I have helped clients to rent a villa for long-term stays. I know the struggle and headache of finding a villa in Bali. The problems that might happen. That’s why I’ve written this guide to help you.
This is what you will find here:
Why rent a villa in Bali?
Choose a location
How to find a rental villa in Bali
Check these before making a deal
Rental Contracts and Agreement
Long-term rental costs
FAQ
Tips on renting a villa in Bali
So now, the first question.
Why rent a villa in Bali?
If you plan to stay in Bali longer, renting a villa monthly is cheaper than staying in hotel rooms.
You will get more space and privacy. Some villas come with a private pool.
You will get better value for your money. It’s also cost-effective. You will have your own private kitchen, where you can prepare your own food. Eating out in Bali can be quite expensive if you always go to restaurants to eat Western food.
Renting a villa in Bali is also convenient. Some villas include cleaning, pool maintenance, electricity, unlimited WiFi, etc on their rental fee.
Choose a location
Decide where you want to stay in Bali.
If you’re a family with small kids, I suggest staying in Sanur area. The beach is calm and safe for kids to swim.
If you’re a young entrepreneur who likes to be at the center of the party, then you’ll probably like Canggu. It’s the most trendy area in Bali today, full of cool cafes and restaurants. But the traffic jam is pretty bad at rush hours.
Uluwatu would be the area I recommend if you like surfing and quiet areas. The beaches in Uluwatu are some of the best in Bali.
Seminyak is another favorite area of expats in Bali. It’s also the most expensive area on the island. High-end restaurants and boutiques lining up the streets in Seminyak. The beach is pretty nice but often crowded.
Another area you can check out is Kedungu. It’s not a popular village right now but if you would like to get away from the crowd but still close to the beach for surfing, this area might be suitable for you. It’s about 15-20 minutes away from Canggu and has its own charm.
How to find a rental villa in Bali
Ask a friend
The first thing you can do – which most people forget to do – is to ask a friend or anyone you know who already has experience renting a villa in Bali. They could give you tips and recommendations. They probably know a villa owner, or an agent who can help you.
Join Facebook Groups
There are plenty of Facebook Groups that you can join to search for your rental property. First, you can join a community group based on the area you’re looking for. Here are a few groups:
- Canggu Housing
- Canggu, Pererenan, Umalas Rental Group
- Uluwatu Community
- Sanur Community
- Ubud Community
- Kedungu Community Housing
Search the groups for villas to rent, or create a post explaining what you’re looking for and your preferred budget.
Contact Agents
A property agent can save you time doing research. Sure, the price might be slightly higher than if you could contact a villa owner directly, but most villa owners don’t spend much time on Facebook Groups.
Check villa rental websites
Browse the internet for villa rental websites in Bali. And then check the reviews. If you can’t find reviews on the website, check Google Maps reviews.
Search AirBnB
Browse villas and properties in Bali. If you find something that you like, reach out to the owner or manager and ask if it’s possible to rent monthly.
To get a cheaper price, ask if it’s possible to make a deal directly. But before making a deal, make sure you visit the property first.
Check these before making a deal
Now, when you find a property that you like, take a step back and slow down. You need to check some things before making any deal. This is very important especially if you’re renting a year or more.
For a shorter period of rent, it’s okay to skip a few things here.
Check the neighborhood
Is it located close to the main road? Is there any car access? Are there noisy neighbors around?
I once rented a villa in Seminyak without checking the location in person. It turned out to be in a crowded neighborhood, next to a house where the people are shouting all day long – every day. The living room and kitchen were open. The walls were so thin that the neighbors’ sounded like if they were sitting next to me.
Check if there’s any constructions site around the villa. In some areas like in Canggu, the constructions are everywhere these days.
Tip: The construction workers normally go for lunch break between 12 AM – 1 PM. It’s better not to check the property around this time. You will not hear any constructions site around, if there’s any.
Social facilities
Explore the areas for social facilities like hospitals and supermarket. Also check the distance to the airport. See if there’s any school nearby. A school next to your villa would be noisy.
Check the property at night
If it’s possible, try to stay at the property for a short period of time. Some properties offer daily rental. If not, check how the property is in the evening.
Pay attention to details
During your inspection, it’s important to pay attention to small things. Is the sink working properly? Is there any broken light switch? Is there anything else that is broken or not working properly?
If yes, talk to the owner directly about the issue. Some owners are willing to do minor renovations, and some not. If the owner doesn’t want to fix it, and you still want to rent it, take some photos of the broken part and attach it on the rental agreement.
Check the electricity and water
Ask about how much the electricity in watt. If the villa has a swimming pool, it has to have minimum 5000 watt. Less than that, it probably won’t be enough when you turn on a washing machine and microwave together while the pool pump is running.
The water quality in some areas in Bali are not good, especially closer to the beach. Some people – including me – have skin issues because of the water. So, if you have any skin allergies, you might want to check the water quality.
Some villas have water filtration system installed.
Also check if the water pressure is good.
Inspect the building quality
Is the wall damp? Can you smell moss?
Check the roof and ceiling for any sign of leaks. If you’re staying during the dry season, there might not be any problem. But during the rainy season, it could be a disaster.
If the villa has a huge enclosed living room and kitchen, check the AC installation. Would it be enough? You will need the AC a lot when you stay during dry season.
Check the inventory list
Ask for an inventory list before you sign the rental agreement. Check it thoroughly. If there’s any defect, point it out and take photos. Sign it and attach it to the rental agreement.
Last check: visit two days before moving in
Make sure everything is ready according to the rental contract. Visit the property two days before. If there’s any minor renovations from the owner, make sure it’s properly done and is finished.
Rental Contracts and Agreement
Before signing the rental contract, read it carefully. Make sure the duration and costs are correct, and if you’re happy with all the terms and conditions. Check the terms about the deposit fee.
Everything that you agreed with the owner has to be written in the contract. For example, if there’s any additional service included.
Also read about the rent increase terms. It has to be stated in the contract. This is important if you plan to stay longer.
You can object to any terms and conditions that bothers you before signing the contract. Only when everything is clear and accepted on both sides that you should proceed to sign it.
The rental contract would be in Indonesian with English translation attached. For a long lease period (more than 5 years), you can ask to sign the contract at a notary. Or depends on the value of the rent.
Long-term rental costs
The villa rental cost depends on many factors, such as location. A villa close to the beach is more expensive than the ones further away in the city. Properties in Lovina is cheaper than in Canggu or Seminyak.
Yearly rental is cheaper than monthly.
It also depends on the facilities or services included. Is cleaning included? How many times a week? How about pool maintenance and WiFi?
The more facilities and service you get, the higher the rental cost.
One bedroom villa with private pool can costs between IDR 10.000.000 to IDR 20.000.000 monthly. Two bedroom villa with private pool is normally between IDR 20.000.000 to IDR 40.000.000 monthly.
How about additional fees?
Most of the villas don’t include electricity bill. You will have to fill up the electricity by your own. It’s pretty easy to buy electricity voucher. You can buy via GoJek app.
You can’t drink the tap water, unless the villa has a drinking water filter system. So, you need to buy drinking water in gallons. Check for some water delivery in the area.
Cooking gas is also normally not included. A small gas bottle costs around USD 2.
There is also trash fee or banjar fee. It’s often included in the rent, but better ask the owner to be sure.
Tips on renting a villa in Bali
Never pay a booking fee before seeing the villa in person. If you’re not in Bali, ask a friend or someone you can trust to inspect the property first. Check if the actual property looks similar as the photos.
Beware of scams on FB or Telegram. There are many cases of people getting scammed from social media. Paying for a villa that doesn’t exist. Making a deal with a fake real estate agent. Always see the property before paying anything.
Beware of cheap unreasonable price. It’s most likely a scam. A three-bedroom villa with private pool overlooking the ocean will not cost IDR 20.000.000 per month. It will be double than that.
FAQ
How much does it cost to rent a villa in Bali?
It depends on the location and the size of the villa. Also facilities and services included. A two-bedroom villas with private pool in Canggu would cost around IDR 25.000.000 – IDR 40.000.000 monthly. A one-bedroom apartment in Seminyak could cost around IDR 10.000.000 – IDR 15.000.000 monthly.
Is it safe to rent a villa in Bali?
Yes, it is safe to rent a villa in Bali. The crime rate in Bali is low. Still, don’t forget to lock your doors at night.
Can foreigners rent property in Bali?
Yes, foreigners can rent property in Bali. You can rent monthly or yearly, or even a long leasehold of 20 years. Foreigners can not own a property in Bali.
What to do next?
If you’re looking to rent a villa in Kedungu area, contact us. My agency, La Bianca Property, is ready to help you to find a long term rental villa in this area. You can contact us here or send us a WhatsApp message!
