Expert: It's very easy for students now to find a rental apartment in Tallinn

TALLINN - Due to a confluence of multiple reasons, the offering on Tallinn's apartment rental market at the beginning of the academic year is much more varied this time than in previous years, making it easier for students to find suitable accommodation, Helen Šank, broker-consultant at real estate agency 1Partner Kinnisvara, said in a press release on Wednesday.

"While in previous years students used to start looking for a rental apartment already in July, this year no activation was noticeable before in August. Demand is also reduced by the fact that many families have decided that in today's economic climate it makes sense for young people to live at home for longer," Šank said.

Furthermore, the widespread use of e-learning means that young people don't have to physically go to lectures as often, which in turn reduces the need to move to the city where their university is located.

Those who nevertheless want to live on their own should be prepared to spend at least 250 euros per month plus utility costs to rent a livable apartment in Tallinn that measures around 14-18 square meters in size and resembles a dormitory room. The rent for traditionally sized one-room apartments starts at 350 euros per month, and these are usually located in older buildings far away from the city center, Šank said.

Two years ago, the Tallinn rental market was heavily influenced by the war refugees arriving from Ukraine, but that impact has now disappeared.

According to Šank, there is currently a greater demand for three-room rental apartments, which may be ascribed to demand from those Ukrainian families who have established themselves in Estonia and want to find a larger living space for themselves. Several people renting a three- or four-room apartment together is also widespread among students due to the lower cost. Furthermore, the rental market has seen the emergence of former property owners who have decided to sell their dwelling in Estonia, invest the money elsewhere and now prefer rental space for at least a while.

With offices in Tallinn, Tartu, Riga and Vilnius, 1Partner is a leading real estate group in the Baltics with more than 20 years of experience.