House-Hunting

Finding suitable accommodation is a laborious, time-consuming and often a very frustrating process. One effective way to begin the search is through referrals from contacts one may already have in Qum, even before arriving. These contacts can often recommend suitable housing or assist in finding a home based on individual requirements.

Estate Agents (Bunghas)

Estate agents, commonly referred to as bunghas, are prevalent in most neighbourhoods. They maintain records of properties available for sale or rent in the local area and facilitate connections between buyers and sellers or landlords and tenants, ultimately finalising contracts between the two parties. However, these records are typically kept manually and may not always be up-to-date. The information provided about available properties is often minimal, only including the monthly rent, security deposit amount, number of bedrooms, and location. Further details are usually only provided upon visiting the property itself.

Most estate agents do not allow individuals to browse through all available properties themselves. Instead, they prefer to be informed of the individual’s requirements and budget, after which they will select what they believe is a suitable match. Additionally, estate agents typically schedule viewings for one property at a time rather than providing a selection of properties to view all together. This approach can consume significant time and energy and requires a great deal of patience.

When inquiring about rental properties, one of the first questions estate agents often ask is, “how many people are in your family?” Unfortunately, there is a prevailing culture among Iranian landlords to limit the number of occupants, possibly due to concerns about noise levels or the risk of property damage. This attitude makes it challenging for families of four or more to find suitable rental properties, and they are often turned away by estate agents, leaving them disappointed.

Searching Online

To avoid the hassle of visiting individual estate agents in different areas, people are increasingly turning to the internet to find rental properties. The online option offers advanced search functions, greater property details and often even photos for viewing, making the online option much easier and faster to find the right accommodation. Since online estate agents are relatively new, there are limited options available. Two main online estate agents include Kolbeh and Koomeh.

Alternatively, individuals can use online classifieds to find properties, such as those listed on Divar or Sheypoor. With online classifieds, individuals need to contact the landlord directly and arrange viewings themselves.

The Tenancy Agreement

No matter which of the above options is chosen to find housing, it is essential to have a tenancy agreement drafted and signed by both parties. Typically, this process takes place at an estate agent’s office, where a fee of $25 - $50 is charged (which should be divided between both parties).

While some landlords may offer to draft the agreement themselves to avoid the agent fee, it is advisable to use the services of a professional to prevent potential complications in the event of a dispute. Particularly for newcomers, it is recommended to bring along someone experienced and fluent in the local language to negotiate the terms of the tenancy.

While standard tenancy agreements do not vary significantly, there is an option to include special clauses if necessary. Tenants should thoroughly review the agreement to understand their rights and responsibilities before signing any documents.