Housing

Rental Housing

These are the most commonly used methods of finding an apartment or house to rent in Iceland:

In the newspaper you will find ads from homeowners who wish to rent out their flats.
Sometimes an offer is required, in other words, the prospective tenant will have to specify how much rent they are willing to pay for that particular apartment. You can get advice from any real estate or rental agent.
People may also put their own ads in the papers. The advert may include the size of the family, the number of rooms required, the area you would prefer, and often whether the family is a smoking or non-smoking one. Obviously, the name of the contact person and telephone number or e-mail must also be included in the advert.

Most rental agents, for a fee, offer an Internet service. Applicants must supply information about what kind of housing they are looking for, which is then compared to the list of available housing on their database. If they find a flat that matches your descriptions you will be contacted.

Tell everyone you know, even people you work with that you are looking for an apartment. Often apartments for rent are not advertised in the papers as they are rented through acquaintances.

The rental agency, Leigulistinn, has a list of apartments available in the capital area. There is a charge for a month's subscription.

People looking for an apartment outside the capital area should seek advice from their municipality.

When you have found the right apartment and both parties have reached an agreement you will be asked to sign a contract called a ‘leigusamningur’. As with all legal documents it is advisable to make sure that you know exactly what you are signing.
This lease is a special form that you and the owner both must sign. It must also be witnessed. After signing, this contract is registered or notarised (þinglýst) at the district commissioner’s office (Sýslumaðurinn). This is necessary to prove that the contract is legal and binding and must be shown when applying for Rent Subsidy or Húsaleigubætur.
According to the law, in the case of a legally registered rental agreement, the owner may not force the renter to pay more than one month’s rent in advance if insurance is given in the form of cash, promissory note or bond.
By law if the renter pays three months in advance then the renter has the right to be in the apartment three times longer than the agreement says or for nine more months.
To have your lease registered, go to the District Commissioner (Sýslumaðurinn)
It is important to have a signed lease when renting an apartment. There is a lease available on-line under forms in Icelandic, English and Polich. Leases are also available at local municipal offices, housing offices, Íbúðarlánasjóði (the Housing Financing Fund) and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Insuraces