Choose a topic to explore — each one is its own page with its own comment thread, so you can add a tip or question right where it belongs.
Initial Stay
Where to stay while you find a permanent home — hotels, hostels (musafir khane) and subletting a furnished house from a student away for the summer.
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Dormitories
Free, furnished dormitory accommodation for single students — usually on or near the seminary, with shared rooms and kitchen facilities.
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Renting
The most common option for families — the types of housing, why properties come unfurnished, and how Iran's rent (ijareh) and security deposit (rahn) system really works.
Explore ›Purchasing
Buying a property in Qum — when it can be a good long-term investment, the regulations foreigners must navigate, and English-speaking contacts who can help.
Explore ›Utility Bills
How electricity, gas and water bills work in Iran — the SMS-only billing system, paying through apps, meter readings, and how shared bills are split in villas.
Explore ›House-Hunting
A realistic guide to the search — using referrals, dealing with estate agents (bunghas), the online options, and getting a proper tenancy agreement signed.
Explore ›Repairs & Maintenance
In Iran the tenant — not the landlord — handles most repairs. A directory of recommended tradesmen, plus the home-service apps that make finding help easy.
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