HOW DIGITAL NOMADS CAN LAND THE RENTAL FLAT OF THEIR DREAMS
The term “digital nomad” may have been scoffed at just five years ago, but this kind of workplace arrangement has since grown in popularity across many industries. The Office of National Statistics predicts that over 50% of UK employees will be working remotely by the end of the year.
While travelling and working from anywhere are huge draws for remote work, it’s also true that extended projects (or even just personal preferences) mean that digital nomads sometimes end up settling down in a place for an extended period of time. So, below are some tips on how digital nomads can rent the flat of their dreams.
Exhaust all search options
It should come as no surprise that the best places to look for rental flats are all digital. Facebook groups are a great way to get connected to locals and other digital nomads who might have some inside tips, and you can also find co-living spaces online that may be worth checking out. Airbnb is certainly a great place to start when it comes to finding potential rental flats, but it should by no means be your only source of information. Getting insights from as many places as possible (yes, even Facebook!) grants you a wider set of options and increases your chance of finding a property you’ll truly love.
Try veering away from huge cities
While it may be tempting to stay in a major city, you might end up sacrificing comfort and cheap rent. Digital nomad Pete Codes found a rental flat for about £136 in Bankso, Bulgaria, where he was able to get a balcony and a quiet place to work. If you want to really get a feel for the place, you might want to stay in the more suburban areas instead, as you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the community and make the most out of your stay. Plus, you’re almost always guaranteed to find cheaper accommodation the further you live away from the city.
Check the facilities
Imagine landing in your destination of choice after a long haul flight only to get to your flat and realise it’s not even remotely close to where it was advertised. It’s so important to actually visit the space and check things like the sofa, the kitchen, the bathroom, and the closet space before you sign a rental agreement. This is why it may be worth finding a hotel or hostel to stay in for the first few weeks while you finalise your rental plans. Meeting your landlord and/or real estate agent in person is also important in order to establish a proper connection with them as they’ll likely be your first point of contact should something arise.
Check all the insurance agreements and procedures you need to follow
Once you’ve decided on a place, the next step is ensuring that the flat will be functional moving forward. Any responsible property owner should have insured their fixtures, especially if they want to lease it out. This is why HomeServe recommends homeowners take out gas and heating insurance that covers the property in case of any breakdowns. So it is very important to ask the landlord if they have any insurance plans or if they’ve had any recent servicing and maintenance issues. These records can also give you an idea of other points of contact should something go wrong.
Compare all potential lease or rental agreements
Having no fixed address means that digital nomads often feel pressured to settle on the first rental property that they find. However, just because you aren’t looking to buy a flat doesn’t mean you shouldn’t focus on the smaller details. Aside from the considerations above, always remember to take stock of all the potential offers: some landlords won’t allow you to make drastic changes to the furniture, while others won’t allow pets. Take the time to see what’s written in each agreement in order to find the arrangement that’s most suitable for your lifestyle.
Our Travel Archives highlight the best and brightest sights that each city has to offer. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself settling down in your dream destination for a while, finding the right flat allows you to take advantage of all the sights and sounds while still giving you some peace of mind knowing you have a place to call your own.
