How to Rent Out Your Apartment in Ukraine: A Guide for Owners
Volodymyr SydorenkoSeptember 18, 2026
A step-by-step guide for landlords: preparing the apartment, setting the price, listing, screening tenants, the lease agreement and handover report, taxes and day-to-day management.
How to Rent Out Your Apartment in Ukraine: A Guide for Owners
Renting out an apartment is one of the most popular ways to earn passive income from real estate. But it only becomes "passive" when the owner has prepared the apartment properly, chosen a reliable tenant, signed a solid lease and remembered about taxes. This guide covers the whole process, from the first cleaning to receiving the monthly rent.
Step 1. Prepare the Apartment
Technical Condition
Before taking photos, fix anything that could break in the first month: dripping faucets, sparking sockets, doors that don't close. Check gas and electrical appliances, meters and heating. Tenants are very sensitive to damp smells and mold stains — see how to get rid of them for good in mold and damp prevention.
Renovation
A rental doesn't need a designer interior. It needs a clean, neutral and durable one: light walls in washable paint, laminate or vinyl flooring, quality sanitaryware. What's worth investing in and where you can save is explained in renovation for rental.
Furniture and Appliances
A minimum set for a long-term rental:
- a double bed with a quality mattress;
- a wardrobe;
- a kitchen with fridge, cooktop and extractor hood;
- a washing machine;
- a table and chairs;
- curtains or blinds.
Extra advantages include a dishwasher, air conditioning, fast internet and solutions for power outages — a portable power station, battery lighting, a gas stove.
Deep Cleaning
Professional cleaning before viewings pays off: the apartment looks more expensive and the photos are more attractive.
Step 2. Set the Price
What Affects the Rent
- Location — district, proximity to the metro, infrastructure. See our overview of the top 5 Kyiv districts.
- Type of building — new build, Stalin-era, panel block.
- Condition and appliances.
- Floor and view.
- Parking, a shelter and a generator in the building.
- Pets allowed. Pet-friendly apartments rent faster, but plan for an extra deposit.
How to Research the Market
Find 10–15 similar listings in your area on DOM.RIA and other portals. Look not only at the price but at how long the listing has been up. If similar apartments rent within 1–2 weeks, the price is right. If a listing hangs for over a month, it's overpriced.
A small discount relative to the market is often better than an empty month: one month without a tenant wipes out the annual gain from an 8% higher rent.
Step 3. Create the Listing
Photos
- Shoot during the day with maximum natural light.
- Use a wide angle without distortion.
- Remove personal items and clutter.
- Show every room, the bathroom, kitchen, the view and the entrance.
- Add a floor plan — it saves time for both you and tenants.
Description
A good description is honest and specific: area, floor, number of rooms, condition, list of appliances, terms (pets, children, deposit, utilities) and nearby transport. Don't hide drawbacks — they'll come out at the viewing anyway.
You can also list your rental on our website for free.
Step 4. Choose a Tenant
What to Look For
- Ability to pay. Where does the candidate work? Is the income stable? Rent should not exceed 30–40% of income.
- Reason for moving and planned length of stay.
- Household composition and pets.
- Behavior at the viewing. Punctuality, tidiness, specific questions.
- References from a previous landlord.
Document Check
Ask for a passport or ID card and taxpayer number. Check the candidate in public registers: the Unified Register of Debtors and the Register of Court Decisions. Process the tenant's personal data only to the extent needed to conclude the lease.
Step 5. Sign a Lease Agreement
The legal basis for residential leases is Chapter 59 of the Civil Code of Ukraine "Lease (Hire) of Housing". The agreement must be in writing (Article 811). Notarization isn't mandatory, but it allows debts to be recovered through a notary's enforcement order without going to court.
Essential Terms
- The parties, their passport details and taxpayer numbers.
- The address and characteristics of the apartment and the ownership document.
- The lease term. If no term is specified, the lease is deemed concluded for five years (Article 821).
- The rent amount, currency, payment date and method, and indexation rules.
- The security deposit and conditions for its return.
- Who pays utilities, internet and condominium fees.
- The list of occupants and rules for guests and pets.
- Rights and obligations regarding repairs and use of property.
- Rules for the owner's visits.
- Early termination conditions and notice periods.
A detailed breakdown of each clause and common mistakes is in our article on the apartment lease agreement.
Handover Report
The handover report is an annex to the lease that records the condition of the apartment, the list of furniture and appliances, meter readings and the number of keys handed over. Photograph every room and appliance with a date. Without a handover report, proving damage is practically impossible.
Step 6. Pay Your Taxes
Rental income is taxable. There are several models:
- Individual landlord, individual tenant. The owner pays 18% personal income tax and military levy quarterly within 40 days after the end of each quarter and files an annual tax return. The military levy rate was raised to 5% from December 2024.
- Individual landlord, tenant is a company or sole proprietor. The tenant withholds and pays the taxes as a tax agent.
- Sole proprietor (FOP). The owner registers as an entrepreneur and pays the single tax. For many this is cheaper, but you must track group limits and file reports on time.
Also note that the Tax Code sets a minimum tax base for residential rent, defined by local governments. Detailed calculations with examples are in rental income tax. Clarifications and tax return forms are published by the State Tax Service.
Step 7. Manage the Tenancy
- Regular contact. Agree on a convenient communication channel and visiting times.
- Quick response to breakdowns. A tenant whose boiler was fixed promptly is less likely to move out.
- Scheduled inspections — every 3–6 months, with notice.
- Payment records. Receive rent to a bank account rather than in cash — it simplifies tax accounting and protects you in disputes.
- Indexation. Review the rent once a year according to the lease.
- Insurance. A policy covering the apartment and liability to neighbors protects you from the costliest risks — flooding and fire.
How Much an Owner Really Earns: An Example
Suppose you rent out a one-bedroom apartment for UAH 15,000 a month. That's UAH 180,000 a year in gross income. Now subtract costs:
- taxes as an individual (18% income tax + 5% military levy) — UAH 41,400;
- vacancy between tenants — on average half a month a year, i.e. UAH 7,500;
- minor repairs and appliance replacement — about UAH 10,000;
- property tax and condominium fees, if not paid by the tenant — a few thousand hryvnias more;
- insurance — a few thousand hryvnias a year.
The net income is about UAH 115,000–120,000, roughly two-thirds of gross. If the apartment costs UAH 2,000,000, the net yield is about 6% a year. Compare that with deposits and government bonds to see whether renting is justified. How the numbers change if you register as a sole proprietor is explained in rental income tax.
Short-Term or Long-Term Rental?
Daily rentals can produce higher income but require constant management: cleaning, check-ins, communication with guests. Wear and tear is higher and occupancy is volatile. Long-term rental is more stable and simpler. For most owners who don't do this professionally, it remains the best option.
Common Landlord Mistakes
- Renting without a contract "on trust".
- No handover report.
- Too small a deposit or none at all.
- Not checking the candidate and choosing "the nicest person".
- Ignoring taxes — a risk of fines and penalties.
- Overpricing and waiting months for "the right" tenant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I evict a tenant who doesn't pay? Yes, but only lawfully: by mutual termination or through the courts under Article 825 of the Civil Code. Changing the locks or cutting off utilities on your own can make the landlord liable.
Do I have to register the tenant at my address? No, it's not required. Registration of residence happens only with the owner's consent.
Can I rent out an apartment bought with a mortgage? Check the loan agreement: some banks require consent. Breaching the terms can be grounds for early repayment of the loan.
What about the deposit when the tenant leaves? Return it after inspecting the apartment and reconciling the meters. You may keep part of it only to cover documented damage or debts provided for in the lease.
Should I work with a real estate agent? An agent saves you time on viewings and screening, and the commission is usually paid by the tenant. But responsibility for the choice and the contract stays with you. See how to choose a professional in how to choose a real estate agent.
How do I raise the rent for an existing tenant? Only according to the lease — most often once a year with 1–2 months' notice. A reliable tenant who pays on time is often worth a small discount compared with the market.
Conclusion
A successful rental is a system: a well-prepared apartment, a realistic price, careful tenant selection, a detailed lease with a handover report and honest tax payments. Invest time at the start and you'll get stable income with minimal hassle later. If you're only considering buying an apartment to rent out, start with our overview of real estate investment.
Sources
- Civil Code of Ukraine — Chapter 59 "Lease (Hire) of Housing", Articles 810–826.
- Tax Code of Ukraine — Article 170 (taxation of rental income).
- State Tax Service of Ukraine.
- Unified Register of Debtors and Unified State Register of Court Decisions.