BULGARIA | Accommodation | Cultural information
Rental Contract
It is important to remember that in order to make a reservation to stay in a dormitory, where the prices are much lower, you have to contact the International Office in advance.
If you rent a place it is important to read a contract carefully before signing. Make sure you understand all terms and conditions. You can rent either a furnished or unfurnished place where the price will be slightly lower but you’ll have to furnish the place yourself.
It is important to have a contact number for the landlord in the event of a problem.
You should familiarise yourself with the costs of heating.
Don’t forget that in ads many of the prices for places will be in Euro. It’s still a popular practice in Bulgaria although the proportion of Euro to Lev is not changing as often now as it did before.
Example of the cost of living in Sofia (in Euro, 2008))
| Accommodation (room in a shared apartment) | € 100 |
| Electricity | € 20 |
| Heat (central heating) and hot water | € 40 |
| TOTAL | € 160 |
The price could considerably vary depending on the location in the city (apartments in the city centre are much more expensive than in the suburbs). For an apartment in other cities the price is slightly lower. Not all apartments, especially if not in Sofia, have central heating and cost of electricity in winter if you are using an electric heater is approximately € 60.
Rental conditions
In Bulgaria, rent is normally paid in advance. When you are looking for accommodation, it is important that you have enough money for the first two months rent and a deposit. Do not be afraid to negotiate if you believe that you might get a reduction in rent.