A good flat in Budapest gets lots of applicants (here's how to find a rental step by step). Landlords usually don't pick the most likeable person, but the one they can see is reliable the fastest. The good news: with some preparation, that's largely in your hands.
What do landlords look for?
- Can you pay? Rent and utilities together shouldn't eat up most of your income.
- Are you reliable? A good word from a previous landlord goes a long way.
- How do you communicate? Clear, quick replies, and turning up when you said you would.
From the landlord's side, the biggest risk is a bad tenant. Missed rent, a neglected flat or a move-out that drags on for months costs them far more than slightly lower rent. So they're happy to choose a tenant who comes with less uncertainty, even if someone else offers more.
What should you prepare?
- A short introduction: who you are, what you do, who you're moving with.
- Proof of income or a letter from your employer.
- Contact details for a previous landlord, if you have one.
- When you can move in, and how long you plan to stay.
Your introduction
Five or six sentences are enough. Not a CV, just a picture of you: what you do, why you're moving, how long you've lived in Budapest, what matters to you in a home. The landlord wants to see that your life is in order and that you're planning for the longer term.
For example:
I'm a 31-year-old accountant and I've worked at the same company for five years. I'd be moving with my partner, who is a nurse. We lived in our previous rental for three years, and our landlord is happy to give a reference. We don't smoke and have no pets. We're looking for a home for at least two years.
If you don't have a reference yet
If it's your first rental, or you lived with your parents before, you won't have a landlord reference. Other things can work instead: a letter from your employer, a recommendation from a teacher or former manager, or a guarantor who agrees to pay if you can't. A bigger deposit or paying two months' rent up front can also build trust, but only offer it if you can genuinely afford it.
If you're self-employed or a freelancer
Variable income is harder to prove. An annual income statement from the tax authority (NAV), a few months of bank statements showing your earnings, or a letter from your accountant all help. Savings count too.
First impressions count
What to look out for at the viewing is covered in this checklist. If you can send all of the above the same day as the viewing, you're ahead.
How you behave at the viewing matters a lot too:
- Be on time. If you're running late, let them know in advance.
- Ask smart questions. Good questions show you're serious.
- Say clearly if you're interested. It helps the landlord to know who they can count on.
- Don't haggle straight away. See the flat first, and if you're really interested, talk about terms afterwards.
What gets you ruled out
- Missing or late documents. If you send them three days later, someone else has already been chosen.
- Vague answers about who you're moving with or how you'll pay.
- Not cancelling a viewing you can't make. It's the quickest way to drop out of the running.
- Too many conditions in your very first message.
FAQ
Does it help to offer more than the asking rent?
Sometimes, but not always. Most landlords care more about reliability than a few thousand forints. A well-organised application is often worth more.
What if I have a pet?
Say so up front and give details: what kind of animal, how old, whether it's house-trained. You can also offer an extra deposit to cover damage. A hidden pet destroys trust.
Can I send the same introduction to several landlords?
Yes. Just tailor a good general introduction to each flat with a sentence or two.
Rentkey Passport
This is exactly what the Rentkey Passport is for: fill it in once and send it to any landlord with a single link. They don't see your documents, only the summary. If a landlord wants to know more, the Verified Passport checks your identity, income and credit record (KHR) in one step.
