Useful Tips for Renting Apartments in Tbilisi

If you plan to rent an apartment in Tbilisi, consider three waves of demand:
September – October: The start of the academic year and business season. Students, diplomats, and business people return to the city. Prices in central districts peak, and liquid options disappear within hours.

May – June: The start of the tourist season. Owners on Rustaveli and in Mtatsminda often try to switch properties to short-term rentals, reducing long-term supply.

Winter and Mid-Summer: The calmest times. In February or July, you can find excellent apartments to rent in Tbilisi at prices 10–15% below market rate, even in prestigious Vake.

Choosing a neighborhood defines your lifestyle. We recommend focusing on proven locations with developed infrastructure.

Rustaveli and Mtatsminda: The heart of the city. This is the choice for those who want to live in the epicenter of events, near theaters, museums, and the best restaurants. Historical housing stock with high ceilings prevails here, but be prepared for an active pace of life.

Vake: The most prestigious and green district. Embassies, universities, and Vake Park are located here. Ideal for families and those seeking quiet, high-status neighbors, and modern residential complexes.

Saburtalo: A "city within a city." A district with wide streets, metro access, shopping centers, and squares. An excellent balance of price and quality of life, very popular among expats and young families.

Chugureti (Plekhanov): A trendy and atmospheric district on the left bank. The restored Agmashenebeli Avenue combines pedestrian zones with quiet streets. Excellent transport accessibility and unique architecture can be found here.

Isani: A promising district that is rapidly developing. There are many new residential complexes with gated territories, nearby metro access, and convenient road interchanges for leaving the city.

A visual inspection is just the tip of the iceberg. Before signing a contract, check critical systems, especially in the historical center.

Heating System

There is no central city heating in Tbilisi. This is the most important point for winter comfort.
Ideal: Central boiler (Central Heating) with radiators in all rooms.
Compromise: Gas stove "Karma." It heats only one room and dries the air. The bedroom and bathroom will be cold.
Risk: Electric heaters. This is very expensive and inefficient in apartments with high ceilings.

Humidity and Mold

Especially relevant for ground and top floors in the old housing stock of Mtatsminda and Chugureti. Carefully inspect corners and the ceiling in the bathroom. A fresh coat of paint might hide fungus that will appear in a couple of weeks.

Sound Insulation and Windows

Tbilisi is a noisy city. If windows face avenues (Rustaveli, Chavchavadze, Pekini), high-quality double-glazed windows are mandatory.

The main mistake tenants make is relying on verbal agreements. Promises that "the price won't change for a year" are often broken at the first currency rate fluctuation.

To safely rent an apartment in Tbilisi, a strict written contract is necessary. It must stipulate:

• Fixed cost in dollars or lari.
• Rental term and conditions for its early termination.
• Responsibility for appliance breakdowns (who pays if the washing machine leaks—you or the owner?).
• Conditions for deposit return.

Drafting such a document on your own is difficult, especially considering the language barrier. An agency acts as a guarantor that your rights are legally protected, and the landlord is the real owner, not a subletter.