Finding an apartment
How to search smarter, what to check at a viewing and which documents to ask for before you decide.
A good search starts before you open the first listing. Decide what you really need, what would be nice, and what you can afford — then let the filters do the work.
Before you search
- Budget: for buying, include the purchase costs (around 3–6 % of the price) and a reserve for repairs. For renting, add utilities, building fees and the deposit.
- Location: list two or three neighbourhoods you would accept. Check the commute at rush hour, not on a Sunday.
- Must-haves: number of rooms, floor and elevator, parking, heating type, balcony. Everything else is a bonus.
Use the search well
Save time with the filters for city, neighbourhood, price, area and features. Sort by "newest" and check back often — good apartments in Skopje, Ohrid and Bitola go quickly. Add interesting listings to your shortlist so you can compare them later.
At the viewing
- Arrive a little early and look at the building, entrance and stairwell — they tell you how the building is maintained.
- Check light, noise and smell. Open the windows, listen to the street and neighbours, look for damp corners and mould.
- Test what can be tested: taps, water pressure, heating, windows and doors, electrical sockets.
- Ask about costs: heating (central or own), building maintenance fee, average electricity and water bills.
- Take photos and notes — after three viewings, apartments start to blur together.
Documents to ask for
When buying, ask for the property certificate (имотен лист) from the Agency for Real Estate Cadastre. It shows who owns the property, its size and whether there is a mortgage or another burden on it. Compare the owner's name with the ID of the person selling. For new buildings, ask for the building permit and the certificate of use.
When renting, ask who the owner is and make sure the person signing the contract is the owner or has a written authorisation.
Making an offer
Prices are often negotiable, especially for older apartments. Compare similar listings in the same neighbourhood, point out what needs renovating and agree everything — price, what stays in the apartment, the handover date — in writing.
Last updated October 5, 2026