How to rent an apartment in Ukraine?

Every country has different property laws. If you have decided to rent a property in Ukraine, you should know the procedure, requirements, and major legal issues. In this article, we will inform you about the main juridical points during the process of property leases in Ukraine.

What do you need to know before renting an apartment in Ukraine?

1. Dealing with a real estate agent is not compulsory. Most property owners prefer to find tenants by using real estate agency services. But it is not a must. There is no law where is mentioned that you have to rent only via an agency. Moreover, there is even no law on real estate agencies. That means that such an agent has no responsibility for his mistakes if there are any. At the same time, it doesn’t mean that such property broker activity is illegal in Ukraine. It is legal but not regulated. In 99% of cases, it is the lessee who pays for the services of property agents in Ukraine. However, depending on the rental cost, conditions, and property type, it is negotiable, and often, the landlord is ready to cover such expenses. Usually, the compensation of a real estate agent in Ukraine is 50% of the monthly rental fee. So, if you plan to rent a house or an apartment and the monthly rental is $1000, you will probably have to pay a $500 commission to a real estate broker. This payment is performed when the contract is signed. If you are buying property in Ukraine, real estate agents’ commission is usually 3-5%.

2. You will have to pay the owner in advance. Post-payment is very rare if you are renting a property in Ukraine. If you plan to rent a property as an individual citizen and not as a business or a company, be ready to pay in cash. As of 2025, business between two individuals is mainly based on cash payments. It is improbable that the lessor in Ukraine will make you any bill to process the payment. Consider also that a rental fee is often based on the currency rate. Although the official currency of Ukraine is UAH, the people of Ukraine love USD and EUR. If the rental fee is based in USD so the payment shall be made in USD or in UAH but based on the currency rate.

3. When the contract is signed, a deposit must be paid to the lessor. This deposit is considered a payment for the last month of rental and is a kind of guarantee toward the property owner. So, if you are going to rent a property for $1000 per month, you will most probably have to pay $2500 when the contract is signed ($1000 advanced payment for the first month, $1000 deposit for the last month, and 50% for the agent’s services).

4. Always and always lease contract is a must-have document. Besides the contract, a critical record is the certificate of transfer and acceptance of the apartment. This primary document confirms that the lessor can use the property under the lease contract.

What are the main points of a property rental agreement in Ukraine?

Of course, this is the primary and essential document for both sides of the rental. Ukrainian legislation is based on laws and codes of law. Legal relations between two parties during the whole period of rental is a regulated rental contract that shall correspond to the law. There is no special law on the lease of private property in Ukraine. However, the civil code of Ukraine needs articles to regulate these legal issues. A lease contract in Ukraine in which the parties are individuals signed in a so-called simple form. It means that it is not necessary to certify it by the notary. However, on the parties’ agreement, the lease agreement can be signed in front of the notary. Consider also that an interpreter shall officially translate the document if one party is a foreign citizen. A Ukrainian tax identification number is not a must for this.

So the main conditions and regulations of Ukrainian property lease contract are:

The subject of the agreement is the property itself. The house shall be described in detail, mentioning the size, exact address, data from the ownership documents, owner, and type.
Rental period and prolongation terms. The minimal period for a rental is not regulated as well as the maximal. But if the rental period mentioned in the contract is more than three years, it is a must to have it certified by the notary. Usually, a Ukraine apartment rental contract is concluded for one year, with the condition of automatic prolongation for the same period if neither party informs the other of the termination. So even if the agreement is concluded for one year, it can still be prolonged multiple times, and you will not have to sign a new one every year. If you want and if it is ok for the other party, it is possible to include penalties for premature and groundless cancellation of the lease agreement.
Rental cost and payment terms are essential conditions not only in Ukraine. The lessee is always obliged to pay in advance. Usually, the payment must be made during a certain period. It is fundamental to mention the exact way of arranging money transfers.
Property description and equipment in the apartment. A property owner in orders to ensure that the renter will not steal or damage the movable property. It can also be written as an attachment to the lease contract.
In most cases, there is a rule that the tenant has no right to make any reconstruction works inside the apartment without the prior consent of the lessee. However, it depends on terms and payment regulations and can be negotiable.

What are the features of renting a commercial property in Ukraine?

When it comes to renting a commercial or industrial property in Ukraine, there are some key considerations to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is essential to understand that commercial property rental typically involves business-to-business (B2B) transactions, as opposed to residential property rentals, which are normally between landlords and tenants.

As such, the economic code of Ukraine regulates commercial or business affairs, which means that some specific legal requirements and procedures need to be followed when renting commercial or industrial property in Ukraine. For instance, if you want to rent commercial property to open a restaurant, an office, an industry, or any other business location, you must register a company in Ukraine if you do not already have one.

To ensure that all the necessary legal requirements are met, it is highly recommended to seek the services of a reputable Ukrainian real estate attorney who can guide you through the process and ensure that all the paperwork is completed correctly.

Moreover, it’s important to note that industrial or commercial real estate often requires additional permissions and legal facilities. These may include permits from local authorities, zoning regulations, and compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Overall, renting a commercial or industrial property in Ukraine can be a complex process. Still, with the proper legal support and guidance, it can be an excellent opportunity for businesses to establish themselves in a new market and thrive.