Job Discussion Forums

Russiatobe · Joined: 19 Aug 2011 Posts: 14

Does anyone have any suggestions on finding an apartment in St. Petersburg without using an agent? [/img]

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

www.cian.ru
www.egent.ru

Those seem to be the best apartment hunting sites in Russia. www.cian.ru is actually the site a lot of agents search when finding people apartments. There are others, of course, but it seems these two will give you the best chances of finding something. A lot of their ads are from agents, as well, though.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'm curious how one can avoid an agent unless he/she speaks fluent Russian, or has a very trusted friend who can. Is there some other possibility?

spbefl · Joined: 08 Aug 2011 Posts: 16

It's easiest to use an agent, especially if you need a flat very soon. If you try to search on your own, it could take some real time (possibly months).

You might try Iz ruk v ruki (doesn't help if you can't read Russian)
http://saint-petersburg.irr.ru/

Sometimes, you can search vkontakte.ru and find something there.

On any of the databases you search, be careful because even though the ads sound like they've been placed by the owner, they are actually agents.

Best wishes.

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

i have heard from 2 people first hand that they took a flat without an agent and paid the price in the long-run (or relatively short run). (both were Americans, one lost their laptop). Although, my opinion is skewed because i think i've only met about 5 people who have rented their flat through an agent. btw, even the Russians i know have rented through an agent.

I'd advise you take a flat through an agent. Consider it a necessary cost.

mind you, i'm in Moscow, things could be different up there!

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

you'll always be worried that you will get back to your flat and the locks have been changed and there is a new family living there... oh and your belongings have gone walkabout. don't take the risk, 15,000 rouble commission for piece of mind?

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

If you use an agent that deals mainly with foreigners you will very often pay a higher price,plus of course,their commission.....if you use a Russian agent who deals with locals you will probably have a language problem as well and still pay more!If you have a close Russian friend who can call the adverts and fish out the genuine landlords from the bogus agents you MIGHT find an appartment at a reasonable price,or maybe just waste a lot of time!I only had experience in Moscow but saw what a nightmare it can be,caused mostly because demand far outstrips supply and the notorious Russian corruption is rampant in the accomodation sphere too.There are many so-called agents who con people by advertising,ask for a fee of a thousand roubles or so for 'registration' and then vanish without finding you anything-easy money and there are always plenty of new suckers to keep them in business!
Another thing is that price quite often bears no relation to quality and this applies to both extremes of the spectrum,depending on who the landlord is and how desperate he is to rent it,whether he likes the look of you and the Russian friend who you should always take with you to do all the talking.But with the system the way it is and corporate money flowing in which can afford often extortionate prices the market is likely to be in favour of the owner,Moscow is likely to continue to be a nightmare for less than well heeled tenants for the forseeable future!
As for St.Petes. I hear that rents are lower-but then so are wages for majority of people there?