Understanding real estate terminology in Bulgaria: a guide for guests

Renting an apartment, house, or a private room in Bulgaria can be an exciting experience. However, if you’re not quite familiar with the local real estate terms, it may also feel overwhelming. Whether you're searching for a cozy apartment to rent in Sofia or a seaside apartments in Varna, understanding the basic terminology will make the process easier and more enjoyable.

Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the real estate landscape in Bulgaria.

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Types of housing

Апартамент (Apartament)

• Апартамент: This is the general term that refers to an apartment in Bulgaria, usually used for both long- and short-term rentals. Apartments vary in size, as in other countries, and can be either furnished or unfurnished.
• Гарсониера (Garsoniera): A studio apartment. It typically has one room and a small kitchenette or kitchen. These are often more common in cities and are more affordable. 

Къща (Kushta)

• Къща: A standalone house. It can range from a large family house in the suburbs to a small village home. Houses are common on the outskirts of larger cities and in rural areas.
• Вила (Vila): A villa, usually holiday rentals in Bulgaria that are located near the seaside or in the countryside.

Мезонет (Mezonet)

• Мезонет: A duplex apartment that spans two floors. These types of accommodations are often larger and typically come with more modern amenities.

Number of rooms

Спалня (Spalnya)

• Спалня: Bedroom. The number of bedrooms is often specified in the property listing.
• Двустаен (Dvustaen): A two-room apartment, usually referring to a living room and one bedroom.
• Тристаен (Tristaen): A three-room apartment, typically with a living room and two bedrooms. 
• Едностаен (Ednostaen): A one-room apartment, often a very small apartment or a studio.

Баня (Banya)

• Баня: Bathroom. Listings typically specify if the bathroom includes a bathtub (вана – vana) or a shower (душ – dush).
• Тоалетна (Toaletna): Toilet. In some rentals, the toilet may be separate from the bathroom. 

Дневна (Dnevna)

• Дневна: Living room, also known as the common or sitting area. In some cases, this can be part of an open-plan space with the kitchen.

Important terms

Обзаведен vs. Необзаведен

• Обзаведен (Obzaveden): Furnished. The property comes with appliances, furniture, and basic necessities.
• Необзаведен (Neobzaveden): Unfurnished. You have to provide your own appliances and furniture.

Маза (Maza)

• Маза: A storage area or basement, which is often available with apartments for extra storage space.

Гараж (Garazh)

• Гараж: A garage

Отопление и климатизация

• Отопление (Otoplenie): Heating. Could be individual (индивидуално отопление – individualno otoplenie) or central (централно отопление – tsentralno otoplenie). 
• Климатизация (Klimatizatsiya): Air conditioning. Not all apartments have air conditioning. So remember to check if this is included, especially in warmer parts of the country.

Договор за наем (Dogovor za naem)

• Договор за наем: Rental contract or lease agreement. This document outlines the rental price, the length of the lease, and any additional conditions or terms.

Депозит (Depozit)

• Депозит: Security deposit, typically the equivalent of one or two months' rent, according to the agreement with the landlord.

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Utilities and extras 

Такси за общи части

• Такси за общи части (Taksi za obshti chasti): Maintenance charges for common areas, such as building facilities, elevators, and staircases. These charges are often added to the rent.

Комунални услуги

• Комунални услуги (Komunalni uslugi): Utilities, which typically include water (вода – voda), gas (газ – gaz), electricity (електричество – elektrichestvo), and heating (отопление – otoplenie). Some apartments may include TV (телевизия – televiziya) or internet (интернет – internet).

Паркинг

• Паркинг (Parking): Parking space. It can be either included in the rent or available for an extra fee, particularly in busy urban areas.

Rental process terms

Наемател vs. Наемодател

• Наемател (Naematel): Tenant, the person who rents the property.
• Наемодател (Naemodatel): Landlord, the owner of the property or the person who rents it out.

Срок на наема

• Срок на наема (Srok na naema): Lease term, which could be  or long-term (дългосрочен – dalgosrochen) or short-term (краткосрочен – kratkosrochen).

 Комисионна (Komisionna)

• Комисионна: Agency fee or commission. If you’re working with a real estate agency, this is a one-time fee, usually around one month’s rent, which is paid by the tenant.

Renting tips

• Research neighborhoods: Consider how close the rentals in Sofia are to public transport, your workplace, coworking spaces, cafes, and shops. Central locations, especially in cities such as Sofia, are obviously more expensive but offer greater convenience and access to major hubs.
• Check what’s included: Ask if utilities (комунални услуги) and service fees (такси за общи части) are included in the rental price. If not, you should budget for these additional fees.
• Read the lease carefully: Before you sign the договор за наем, carefully review all the terms, including the security deposit (депозит), duration (срок на наема), and any additional responsibilities or fees.
• Inspect the property: Before you move in, check the accommodation for any existing issues or damage. Take photos to document the condition of the rental as it can help avoid disputes when moving out. 
• Know your rights: Familiarize yourself with tenant rights in Bulgaria. Tenants are protected by Bulgarian law, which includes regulations on rent increases and eviction.

Flatio: Accommodation for rent in Bulgaria

Are you looking for flexible and cheap accommodation for rent in Bulgaria? Discover the unique features that make us the perfect choice:

• Flexible, reasonably priced, remote work-friendly stays (from days to months)
• Wide range of accommodation options (rooms, apartments, houses, etc.) 
• Utilities and Wi-Fi included
• Visa-friendly lease agreements 
• Online signing of lease agreement
• Renting directly from hosts 
• No deposit required for stays under 180 days (unless required by local laws)
• Balanced lease agreement, translated into multiple languages
• Very attractive cancelation policy
• StayProtection for Tenants: assistance with emergencies and accidental property damage
• Move-in Guarantee with a 24/7 emergency line
• 100% money protection
• Support team available every day of the week
• No hidden fees
• Secure and simple payment system, including Bitcoin option