HOWTO No.2 - Renting a Home in Corfu - A Beginners Guide
We frequently receive emails asking, "How do you go about finding a place to rent and what should I expect to pay"? One evening I decided to reply in detail to just such a question. By the time that I had finished, I realised that I had just written the draft of "Beginners Guide to Renting A Home In Corfu!" The following is that advice with a little 'flesh added to the bones". These are really our observations and recall our experiences. If you have had a different experience, please let us know and we can compare notes!
Are you considering "Selling Up" and Making Corfu Your Permanent
home?
First, a cautionary tale relating to 'selling up'. During Easter 2001,
we met a couple that just happened to call into Agni Bay to see if our friend's
taverna was open. It wasn't, but Hey! When have you known a Greek turn anyone
away? We got chatting and it transpired that they had bought a brand new house
on the island having sold up in the UK.
Everything was wonderful! Then we saw them during the summer and things were
fine, although they were exhausted from dealing with all their family and friends
who had visited. Again, we got the cry of, "Oh you aren't intending to buy then?"
I explained that 30 years as a Copper tends to make you a little cautious and
that I thought that as much as we love Corfu and the people, we were reluctant
to 'burn our bridges'. To be honest, I have seen colleagues who have gone no
further than Norfolk, who have decided after two or three years that they wanted
to be back where they came from and found that they couldn't afford to do so.
In October 2001, the first people we saw in the taverna were this same couple. After a brief chat, they said, "Your'e going to rent aren't you? I think you may have the right idea after all!" You could have knocked us down with a feather. Suffice to say, they rocketed in our estimation for their honesty.
This year, 2002, that same couple have sold
up, which in itself is no mean feat as we are aware of perfectly good properties
that have been on the market for many years. They intend returning shortly to
the UK.
Having said all this, we may consider purchasing, providing we consider
ourselves financially sound enough! OK, so the mortgage is paid, but we have
always spent far more than we saved! Our philosophy has always been that life
isn't a trial run! Not only that, but also three trips a year to Corfu
have taken their toll!
To balance these cautionary tales, I should point out that we know two other
couples who both say that if anything happened to either half of the couple,
the other would remain in Greece. So I guess that the moral is, that "you pay
your money and you take your chances".
Let Your Family Know Of Your Intentions
If you have family, discuss it with them and consider their opinions.
Again we are aware of people who have decided that they want to live abroad
when they retire, only to find that this comes as a shock to their children
who actually had plans themselves for when Mum and Dad retired! It usually revolves
around baby-sitting duties so that the daughter can return to work after having
the children! I'm sure that if you have considered your plans for as long as
us, six years, the family will be quite used to the idea and you'll make the
right decision.
Finally, if like us, you are about to retire and your employer offers any form
of resettlement course, take it! You will be amazed how useful and informative
they can be. They can also be quite reassuring if you are concerned about living
on a reduced income.
Renting - Where Do You Start?
You really only have two choices. Firstly you could go through
an agency. There are one or two beginning to appear on the island. I will include
details at the end of this of those that I am aware of. I cannot vouch for any
agents, as I have not had occasion to use them, although I did make enquiries
of one. We found them courteous and helpful but lacking in properties to rent!
They will also want their fee that will be based upon a percentage of the monthly
rental. In our experience, Greeks trust property agents as much as they trust
banks! That is not an attempt to cast aspersions upon property agents, merely
a fact of life!
The second place to start is by 'word of mouth'. We feel that this is by far the most satisfactory method. If you have Greek friends, so much the better. They frequently know of a friend who has a house or apartment to rent. (Do bear in mind that if they find their friend someone to rent their property, it is 'a feather in their cap'. I don't think that I need to dwell any further on this!) Alternatively, you can try talking to Greeks whom you come into contact with, taverna owners, waiters, supermarket owners etc.
A Quick digression!
Now for a bit of cultural advice based on experience!
Many western European people, British in particular, look upon waiting on tables
in a restaurant and similar employment as a menial job. Tricia and I witness
the shabby treatment of restaurant and taverna staff by fellow British people
quite frequently and it makes our blood boil!
DON'T BE FOOLED! You will frequently find that your waiter owns at least two houses, if not more, not to mention land and maybe one or more boats! Not only that, but whilst you see him (or her) working long hours whilst you enjoy your two or maybe three weeks annual holiday during a six month holiday period, he spends the other six months hunting, fishing, drinking wine and holidaying like you could only wish to!
Add to that, the fact they probably speak English, German, Italian (and increasingly more commonly, some Russian and Czech) far better than you speak Greek and I guess that you will begin to see where we are coming from! In short, treat the Greeks whom you come into contact with, as you would wish to be treated, and it can pay dividends. They are a great source of information. One final note on this point. Don't try to engage them in deep meaningful conversations when they have just had a party of fifty turn up! Make the effort to see them when it is quiet.
To continue .......
When To Start Looking
Again, our experience, based upon the advice of others, has shown
that October is a good time to do this as the prospect of no income for 6 months
focuses the mind! Equally, 12 months minimum rental is also a good deal for
a prospective landlord, particularly if they normally only rent for the season.
If they are realists, they will see the benefits to them as they rarely will
have their property occupied for more than a fraction of the season. Forget
about UK prices. This applies equally to purchasing as well as when renting.
Too many people get suckered into paying too much and then get saddled with
a house that they are still trying to sell 4 years later.
We really believe that you need to go over to Corfu solely with the intention
of looking for a place and forget all thoughts of holidays! If I had another
piece of advice, it would be not to find a place and concentrate upon seeking
to strike up a deal. You should find it - make an offer (considerably lower
than the asking price - but don't be greedy!) - and then continue looking for
other places for when that one falls through!
We learned this the hard way having gone specifically to look at a place in
Nisaki in the summer of 2001. We loved the view and the size of the property
(4 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a balcony the size of a tennis court BUT no heating
at all and in need of severe renovation - 150,000drx per month (in 2001) - MUCH
too much!). We spent the fortnight haggling to be told that a brother now wanted
it (to make his babies!!).
Make an offer but keep looking!! Remember that one of the things that is
so endearing about Corfu and Greeks is the laid-back lifestyle. - It applies
to negotiations too!!
Put yourself about! (In the nicest possible way!) Ask everyone you know or are
introduced to whether they know of anyone that wants to rent a property. Emphasise
that this is a serious enquiry for a long-term let.
This is how we went about finalising our deal .....
Try to drive a hard bargain! Make concessions, but get some
in return. When you make your offer always remember not to be too greedy. You
should be looking for a deal where the prospective landlord thinks that he has
got a good deal and that you likewise think that you have a good deal. Put colloquially,
let him think that he has 'had you over' whilst you in turn think that you have
'had him over'!
Always impress your prospective landlord with how clean their property is and
how important you believe cleanliness is. It is VERY important to Greeks. Let's
be truthful, if sweeping were to be introduced into the 2004 Olympics, Greece
would win! Equally important to them, is to praise the property. For example,
our landlord is a retired master carpenter. Accordingly, I enthused over the
quality of the woodwork - A good move as he had done it all himself - including
the staircase!
Point out that you expect to pay a deposit but negotiate the amount. (To cover
him in the unlikely event of breakages or damage etc).
Expect to pay a certain amount of rent 'up front'. Say, anywhere between three
and six months rent. I suggest that this will depend on how experienced (or
wily) at renting your prospective landlord is and what his previous tenants
have been like.
Make sure you know what utilities you are going to be paying for. E.g. water,
electricity etc. Does the property have a separate electricity meter? This is
not a silly question to ask! If everything runs off one meter, agree what percentage
you will pay.
If you want them, will your prospective landlord allow you to install a
telephone, TV aerial, satellite dish etc. Again, not so silly! The winters can
get a bit cold and lonely!
Get a contract. This will give you a degree of security of tenure.
Get it translated into English. I personally, did not get a written translation,
but I did have a trusted Greek friend verbally translate it for me. Standard
contracts are easily obtained. You do not have to have them made up by a lawyer,
but if you do, be aware that YOU will probably be responsible for a 4% tax.
(4% of the annual rental at the time of preparing this). No lawyer - No tax!
<GRIN> Get it witnessed. We were fortunate that our friend is a local
man of some standing within the community! He was our witness.
Watch out for the paragraph that talks about rent increases during subsequent
years. This can be as much as 5% - 10% of the monthly rental. If you find a
place that you are sure you want to live in for more than a year, (e.g. 3 years),
go for it! Any increases should only apply at the end of the agreed term!
The Next Cultural Tip!
Those experienced in Greek culture will be aware of what
I am about to say, so forgive me if this is nothing knew to you. All this talk
about negotiating has reminded me of one thing that is important to remember.
Er ... how can I put this delicately? Best if I tell you of our experience from
Tricia's point of view.
Put simply, throughout our negotiations, she did not exist! She could ask what
she liked, but would not get an answer! We soon learned that any queries she
raised, had to be related by me. Then we got an answer! Actually I mean, then
I got an answer! It can be irritating from the female point of view. Just live
with it! This is not so bad if the person you are dealing with is young and/or
well travelled outside of Greece. It is not intended as a slight and should
not be taken as one. It is one of the many differences that exist between our
cultures.
These attitudes are changing, just don't be surprised. It is not done to cause offence it is just the way things are done. It is similar to the custom of men holding hands in some cultures where it is not (necessarily) an indication of their sexuality! Was that put delicately enough???
Rental Prices
It was my intention to quote actual examples of rental prices.
However, my friends may not thank me for identifying them and how much they
pay! I will attempt to generalise if that is possible. These generalisations
are based upon actual properties rented in May 2002.
Prices will depend upon many things. The location and view will pay a big part. Prices in the Northeast of the island tend to be higher than the Northwest or South. The further from the resorts, then the cheaper the property. If you want a furnished villa, it will clearly cost substantially more than if you are prepared to live in a two-bedroom holiday apartment.
Two to three bedroomed, unfurnished properties in a village in the Northwest are being rented out for the euro equivalent of about 80,000 GDR (about €235) per calendar month. On the Northeast side you can get a two bedroomed furnished house for the euro equivalent of about 120,000 GDR (about €352) per calendar month. We have heard of people paying nearly €600 per month. I have never met them and can only say that if this is true they are one or all of the following:- Very wealthy, mad, have rented a very large sumptuous property or are Mafia members!
Property Agents
The following are a couple of property agencies here on Corfu.
I hasten to add that we have nothing to do with any of these companies and cannot
vouch for them! However, I have heard nothing to their detriment.
Corfu Real Estate Tel: 0030 663 064494 from the UK or via their website - www.corfurealestate.com.
Corfu Property Agency Tel: 0030 661 028141 from the UK or their website - www.cpacorfu.com
Corfu Property Mangement Services Tel: 0030 661 082032 from the UK or their website -
www.pmscorfu.com
Conclusion
We hope that this rather lengthy epistle proves of value.
We will happily respond to emails and welcome hearing of others experiences
so that we can provide the best information possible.
Enjoy Corfu!