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Indonesia · Housing & Relocation

Renting in Indonesia

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

In Indonesia long-term rentals (apartments in Jakarta, villas and houses in Bali) are normally let on a one-year lease, and a distinctive local feature is that landlords typically expect rent to be paid well in advance at signing - often a full year, and sometimes two, in addition to a deposit. Newcomers, especially digital nomads in Bali, also have ready access to furnished monthly villas, co-living and serviced apartments.

The rental basics

Typical lease
1 year
Deposit
2 mo rent
Furnished
Furnished + unfurnished
Mid-term market
Strong mid-term market
Address registration
Required

Agency fee: Broker/agent commission on a rental is normally paid by the landlord/owner side, so tenants commonly find listings through agents at no direct fee; the commission amount is negotiable rather than fixed and arrangements vary by deal.

Address registration

Foreign residents holding a limited-stay permit (KITAS/ITAS) must register their address with the local Population and Civil Registration Office (Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil / Dukcapil) and obtain an SKTT (Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal, residence certificate). Reporting is required within 14 days of KITAS issuance under Law No. 24/2013 (Art. 91(2)); the SKTT tracks the residential address tied to the KITAS.

Your rights as a tenant

Indonesia has no broad rent-control or rent-cap regime for private lettings; under freedom of contract the price, advance payment and renewal terms are set by the written agreement, so renters' protections depend largely on what is negotiated. Lease agreements are commonly drawn up in both Bahasa Indonesia and English, and a Bahasa Indonesia version matters for legal validity because Law No. 24 of 2009 requires Indonesian-language agreements where an Indonesian party is involved.

Good to know

  • Active short- and mid-term market: furnished monthly villas, co-living and serviced apartments are widely available, especially in Bali nomad hubs (Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak)
  • In more flexible markets such as Bali, tenants can sometimes negotiate the large upfront payment down to a smaller block (for example six months) plus a deposit
  • Listings are easy to browse online, often with an English interface, via portals such as Rumah123, 99.co and Lamudi, plus agent and Facebook networks
  • Mid-range and upscale apartments and villas typically come fully furnished, so newcomers can move in without buying furniture

Watch out for

  • Large upfront payment: a full year's rent (sometimes more) paid in advance at signing is a common landlord expectation - budget for it and get the payment schedule agreed in writing
  • Register for the SKTT within 14 days of receiving your KITAS; the residence certificate tracks the validity of your stay permit
  • Ensure the contract exists in Bahasa Indonesia (not English only) for legal validity, and clarify deposit-return and maintenance terms to avoid disputes
  • Online-only or sight-unseen bookings (especially short-term villa/Airbnb-style deals in Bali) carry scam risk - verify the property and avoid wiring money before viewing

Where to look

Rumah12399.coLamudiOLXAirbnb / Facebook rental groups (short-term, esp. Bali)

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

Renting in Indonesia: FAQ

Renting in Indonesia: FAQ

How much deposit do I need to rent in Indonesia?

Landlords typically ask for around 2 months of rent as a security deposit, on top of the first month upfront, plus any agency fee (broker/agent commission on a rental is normally paid by the landlord/owner side, so tenants commonly find listings through agents at no direct fee; the commission amount is negotiable rather than fixed and arrangements vary by deal.). Budget for that as a lump sum before you arrive.

Do I have to register my address in Indonesia?

Yes — Foreign residents holding a limited-stay permit (KITAS/ITAS) must register their address with the local Population and Civil Registration Office (Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil / Dukcapil) and obtain an SKTT (Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal, residence certificate). Reporting is required within 14 days of KITAS issuance under Law No. 24/2013 (Art. 91(2)); the SKTT tracks the residential address tied to the KITAS.

Can I find furnished or short-term rentals in Indonesia?

Furnished + unfurnished and the mid-term market nomads rely on is strong mid-term market. Start your search on Rumah123, 99.co, Lamudi.

Sources