Planning a move to the capital of Georgia, everyone faces the need to find reliable and comfortable housing. The task to rent an apartment in Tbilisi for a long term requires not only time but also a deep understanding of the local real estate market specifics, legal nuances, and features of various city districts. In 2026, demand for quality properties remains consistently high, so a competent and balanced approach to renting will help you save your budget and avoid common mistakes.
Choosing the Ideal Location: Where Is Best to Live
Tbilisi is a city of contrasts, where each district possesses a unique character, rhythm of life, and advantages.
The right choice of location will determine the quality of your daily life for the coming months or years. Let's consider the most popular directions for long-term residence.
Saburtalo — Golden Mean for Active People
This district consistently tops popularity rankings among expats, digital nomads, and students. Saburtalo is a "city within a city" with maximally developed infrastructure. The main metro line runs here, connecting the district with the historic center and the train station.
For everyday life, everything is here: 24-hour supermarkets, modern shopping malls (City Mall), fitness centers, co-working spaces, and numerous cafes. The housing stock is diverse: from sturdy "Stalin-era" buildings to ultra-modern high-rises with concierge service and underground parking.
The price tag to rent an apartment in Georgia in this part of the metropolis is balanced and corresponds to quality. A good one-bedroom apartment (bedroom + living room) with fresh renovation will cost on average $600–700. This is an excellent choice for those who value mobility and urban comfort.
Vake — Premium Status and Ecology
If you are looking for respectability, quiet, and green surroundings, Vake will be the ideal choice. Historically, this is the district of intelligentsia and diplomats. There is no metro here, but a network of bus routes and taxis is excellently developed.
Main attraction points are the huge Vake Park and Mziuri Park, where it is pleasant to walk and exercise. The district concentrates the best private schools, prestigious kindergartens, boutiques, and haute cuisine restaurants. If your goal is to rent an apartment in Georgia Tbilisi of premium class with panoramic views and designer interior, focus specifically on this sector. The cost of living here is traditionally higher than the city average, starting from $800–1000 for quality units.
Isani — Dynamic Prospect and Accessibility
Isani is the choice of pragmatists. The district is rapidly developing, growing with new residential complexes and commercial infrastructure. The main advantage is excellent transport accessibility: presence of a metro station and proximity to the historic center (just a couple of stops) and the airport.
Here you can find modern apartments in new buildings at rates significantly more pleasant than central ones. The budget for renting a decent option starts from $400–500. Nearby are large hypermarkets (Carrefour, Isani Mall) and a farmers' market, which makes daily life convenient and economical.
Legal Safety of the Deal
In Georgia, relations between owner and tenant are regulated by the Civil Code, but in practice, many nuances depend on agreements. Safe cooperation always begins with a competently drafted written contract, even if the owner suggests limiting it to an "honest word."
What Should Be in the Rental Agreement
The agreement is mandatorily drawn up in two copies and must be bilingual (Georgian + a language you understand, for example, English or Russian). It is critically important to record in the document:
Validity period: Usually, a long-term contract is concluded for 6 or 12 months. Renting for a year often gives an opportunity to bargain on price.
Financial conditions: Payment currency (often fixed in US dollars, but payment can be made in lari at the exchange rate), exact settlement date, and money transfer method.
Deposit: Conditions for return of the security deposit and cases when it can be withheld.
Property inventory: A detailed list of furniture and appliances with photo documentation of their current state. This will protect you from unfounded claims upon moving out.
Termination conditions: Notice period for early departure (usually one month) and penalties.
Payment Procedure and Utility Bills
Standard market practice is payment of the first and last months of residence immediately upon signing. The final payment functions as a security deposit, guaranteeing fulfillment of obligations and property safety.
Utility services (electricity, water, gas, internet, elevator maintenance, and entrance cleaning) in Tbilisi are paid separately according to meters and bills. Clarify the average bill size in winter and summer in advance, as heating can significantly affect the budget.
Risks of Independent Search and Advantages of Working with Us
Attempting to rent an apartment in Georgia without intermediaries may seem like a way to save money, but in practice often turns into a loss of time, nerves, and even money.
The market is overcrowded with "information noise": online platforms often contain outdated listings ("fakes") created to attract calls, or properties rented out months ago. Independent negotiations are complicated by the language barrier and mentality differences. Additionally, there is a risk of encountering fraudsters or concluding a deal with a person who has no right to dispose of the property. By contacting our agency, you receive not just access to a database, but comprehensive protection of your interests:
Verified database: We work only with current properties and personally verify ownership documents before every showing. Our portfolio includes exclusive units in Vake, Saburtalo, and Isani, unavailable in open advertising.
Legal safety: Our lawyers draft a bilingual contract that details protection of the tenant's rights, fixes the price and deposit return conditions.
Comfort and support: We organize viewings at a time convenient for you, provide transfer, and take on all negotiations with the owner, including bargaining and discussing nuances (for example, living with pets).
Support: We remain in touch even after move-in, helping solve household issues and acting as a mediator in disputed situations. Trust the search to professionals so that your move becomes the beginning of a pleasant life in Tbilisi, not a source of stress.
1. What is the minimum period for long-term rental? Usually, a standard contract is concluded for at least 6 months. An agreement for 12 months often allows negotiating a discount on the price. In case of early termination initiated by the tenant, the deposit is typically not returned as compensation to the owner.
2. How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Tbilisi for a long term? Prices depend on the district and renovation quality. Budget studios and one-bedroom apartments in residential areas start from $350–450. Comfortable one-bedroom apartments in popular locations (Saburtalo, Isani) cost $500–750. Premium segment in Vake or the center starts from $1000–1200 per month.
3. Is a residence permit required for the transaction? No, Georgian legislation does not require a residence permit or registration to rent housing. A valid international passport is sufficient to conclude a legal contract. Payment can be made both in cash and by transfer, for which opening a local bank account may be required.
Contact Us
Get in touch with us by phone or via messengers for a consultation and help choosing the right property.