Rental Housing

Leiguhúsnæði

Apartments to rent are usually advertised in newspapers. People looking for housing, which is outside the capital area, are advised to seek information at the offices of their municipality.

Rent agreement

It is important to make a rent agreement in writing[1] with the renter when renting an apartment. You will need to be well acquainted with the terms of the agreement, such as rules on insurance, notice and more.

Forms for rent agreements in Icelandic, English, Spanish and Polish can be found on the websites of the Ministry of Welfare  (www.velferdarraduneyti.is) and the Multicultural and information Centre (www.mcc.is). Rent agreements can also be found at the offices of municipalities and the Housing Financing Fund (www.ils.is).     

Municipality rent benefits

If you have a legal residence in Iceland you can apply for rent benefits[2] at the municipality social services. Whether rent benefits are paid, and what amount of rent will be paid, depends on the amount of the rent, income and family size of the applicant.

Before you can apply for rent benefits you must register[3] a rent agreement for the minimum duration of six months at the district commissioner.

Information on rent benefits can be found at municipality social services and at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security. If you reside at a hostel, commercial housing or a room you cannot receive rent benefits. 

Information and calculator for rent benefits are on the Ministry of Welfare's website (www.velferdarraduneyti.is). 

Electricity, hot water, telephone and internet

When moving into an apartment it is important to have the meters for heat and electricity read so that the renter/buyer only pays for his usage.

Municipality offices can provide information on companies that sell and provide electricity and water in the municipality.

There are a few telephone companies in Iceland and they offer different prices and services for telephones and internet connection. It is best to go directly to the telephone companies to get information on the services and prices they have to offer.