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Antigua and Barbuda · Housing & Relocation

Renting in Antigua and Barbuda

Partially verified Last verified June 15, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

Antigua and Barbuda is a small twin-island Caribbean state whose housing market is shaped almost entirely by tourism, so most supply is furnished short-stay and vacation property rather than year-round residential leases. For an incoming nomad, the practical split is clear: "short-term" means days to a few weeks (fully furnished, move-in ready, premium nightly/weekly rates), while "long-term" generally means a six-month minimum, with some landlords and agencies requiring twelve months. The market is overwhelmingly agent-mediated and informal — there is no government rent register and no rent control, so lease length, deposit and upfront costs are negotiated directly between landlord and tenant (or via a villa-management agency). The country actively courts remote workers through its Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) programme, which lets qualifying remote workers stay up to two years and requires proof of accommodation, so monthly/multi-month furnished options aimed at nomads are readily available. Expect to deal in USD as well as the local EC dollar, and to have a written contract reviewed if your stay is long.

The rental basics

Typical lease
6 months
Deposit
1 mo rent
Furnished
Furnished + unfurnished
Mid-term market
Strong mid-term market
Address registration
Not required

Agency fee: No standardized published tenant-paid letting fee. The rental market is heavily agent-mediated (villa-management firms and real-estate agencies broker most long-term lets), but the only commission figure published in sources is a 5-7% agency commission on property sales (typically paid by the seller), which does not apply to rentals. For tenants, the dominant upfront cost is the deposit/advance package rather than a separate broker fee; confirm any agent charge in writing before committing.

Your rights as a tenant

Landlord-tenant relations are governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act, which covers rent payment, property maintenance, eviction procedures and dispute resolution, and tenants have a right to a safe, habitable property. In practice protections are thin and market-driven: there is no rent register and no rent control, so duration, deposit, termination and repair responsibilities are whatever the written contract says. For multi-month or multi-year leases it is recommended to have the contract reviewed by a local real-estate lawyer and to document the property's condition with photos at move-in and move-out.

Good to know

  • Established Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) visa lets remote workers stay up to two years, with abundant furnished monthly and multi-month options aimed at nomads and no local tax on foreign-earned income for NDR holders
  • Strong, well-developed short- and mid-term furnished market (villas, apartments) — easy to land somewhere move-in ready without buying furniture
  • No special restrictions on foreigners renting residential property; standard leasing contracts apply
  • Rents are openly negotiable, especially for stays of several months and outside the high tourist season

Watch out for

  • Supply skews toward vacation/seasonal property, so genuine long-term residential stock is thinner and often requires a 6-month (sometimes 12-month) minimum commitment
  • Upfront cost can be heavy: a common long-term package is three months in advance (first month + last month + one month security deposit), and new arrivals without local credit history may be asked for extra months
  • Not all long-term rentals are furnished — you may need to buy basics like beds and kitchenware — and listed rents usually exclude utilities, internet, cable and gas
  • Weak, informal tenant framework: no rent register, no rent control, and terms hinge entirely on the written contract — get longer leases lawyer-reviewed
  • Pricing is high and tourism-driven; quoted in USD and rises sharply in peak season

Where to look

Long Term Lettings (longtermlettings.com)ProperstarLuxury Locations Real Estate AntiguaAcme Real EstateTailor Made Antigua (villa management / long-term rentals)Airbnb (short-term)

Platforms are listed for orientation only — we don't endorse or rank them.

Renting in Antigua and Barbuda: FAQ

Renting in Antigua and Barbuda: FAQ

How much deposit do I need to rent in Antigua and Barbuda?

Landlords typically ask for around 1 month of rent as a security deposit, on top of the first month upfront, plus any agency fee (no standardized published tenant-paid letting fee. the rental market is heavily agent-mediated (villa-management firms and real-estate agencies broker most long-term lets), but the only commission figure published in sources is a 5-7% agency commission on property sales (typically paid by the seller), which does not apply to rentals. for tenants, the dominant upfront cost is the deposit/advance package rather than a separate broker fee; confirm any agent charge in writing before committing.). Budget for that as a lump sum before you arrive.

Do I have to register my address in Antigua and Barbuda?

Address registration isn't a general requirement for short-stay residents here, but check whether your specific visa or a bank needs proof of address.

Can I find furnished or short-term rentals in Antigua and Barbuda?

Furnished + unfurnished and the mid-term market nomads rely on is strong mid-term market. Start your search on Long Term Lettings (longtermlettings.com), Properstar, Luxury Locations Real Estate Antigua.

Sources