Updated October 10, 2026
Renting out an apartment in Georgia is simpler than in many countries: the contract does not need a notary, the tax for individuals is flat and low, and most deals happen directly between owner and tenant. That is exactly why mistakes usually happen not in paperwork but in details: the condition of the flat was not documented, utilities were not agreed on, the person was not checked before moving in.
Before you publish a listing, settle three things: the term (long-term or daily), the currency and exchange rate you accept, and what the price includes (furniture, appliances, service fee, parking).
If the owner is an individual renting residential property to another individual for living, the income is as a rule taxed at 5%. The rate applies to the gross rent without deducting expenses, so the maths is simple: receive a month's rent, and 5% of it goes to the budget. The tenant pays no tax, although in practice owners often build it into the price.
If income is not declared and this is discovered, the tax authority will assess the tax plus a fine and late-payment interest. Undeclared rentals have become easier to detect: a tenant may need a registered contract for a residence permit or a bank, and then the owner's income appears in official databases. Paying 5% straight away is simpler than dealing with assessments later.
A residential lease in Georgia is made in simple written form; notarisation is not required. It is usually bilingual: Georgian plus English or Russian, depending on the tenant.
What is worth putting in writing:
Registering the contract is optional, but the tenant may need it for a residence permit or to open a bank account. Registration is done through a Public Service Hall or online at reestri.gov.ge and requires the owner's consent. Decide in advance whether you are willing: this question often comes up at the viewing.
The deposit is usually one month's rent. It protects the owner against damage and unpaid bills and is returned at move-out minus justified deductions. To keep deductions from turning into a dispute, sign an inventory and a handover act at move-in: the list of furniture and appliances, their condition, meter readings, photos. Sign the same act at move-out.
Utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet, waste collection) are as a rule paid by the tenant by meter on top of the rent. Hand over the subscriber numbers from the bills and agree who keeps an eye on payments: utility debts stay attached to the apartment, meaning to you. In new buildings, discuss the service fee for the lift, security and cleaning separately.
The main channel in Georgia is Telegram: dozens of channels and chats by city and district where owners post listings directly. Bina collects listings from such channels into a single catalogue with a map and filters, so a listing posted in a channel will also be seen by people searching the Bina catalogue.
To make a listing work:
A direct deal without an agent is a plus for the tenant: they avoid the commission, which is usually 50–100% of a month's rent when searching through an agency. It is worth mentioning in the listing.
Long-term rental, usually from 6–12 months, gives stable income, one contract and minimal hassle; the tenant changes once a year or less often. Daily rental can bring more per month, but it requires cleaning, linen changes, guest communication and constant occupancy, which depends heavily on the season. In addition, daily rental is as a rule treated as business activity, and the preferential 5% regime may not apply to it, so check this separately. If the flat is far from the tourist centre, long-term almost always wins overall.
Tax rules, declaration forms and contract registration procedures change. This text is a guide, not legal advice: before your first lease, check current information with the Revenue Service and on my.gov.ge, and in complex cases consult an accountant or lawyer.
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