How to find and rent an apartment in Copenhagen and not die in the attempt.
If you are foreigner and you just have arrived to Copenhagen,
you soon will realize the difficulties of finding an apartment here. Before beginning
to despair, you should take these tips, which will make your search easier.
1.
Websites:
a.
Visit this free website:
www.dba.dk
Here
you have apartments and houses for rent. But has also second hand bicycles,
cars, electronic devices, etc.
It is
free to search for the apartments, but if you have to contact the owner, you
have to pay a little price. It depends on how many days you want to access.
If you
need a place to stay for some days, while you seek for something else, you
could visit this website, where people rent their own apartments for some days
while they are travelling to other countries. It is cheaper and more
comfortable than Danish hotels.
2. Constancy:
Monitor
websites every morning. Owners that post a new ad receive almost one hundred
emails first day (no joking), if the apartment is interesting. If there is a
mobile number, forget to send an email. Best strategy is to call as soon as
possible, and try to make an appointment to see the apartment. It is very
important to be one of the first to call.
3. Location:
There is
curious phenomenon with the prices (DKK/m2) in Copenhagen Metropolitan Area.
Variations are very low between different neighborhoods. Do not be scared about searching an apartment
to rent in a trendy location, because you will pay a little more than in
another neighborhood or town. The variation of price is not referred to
location, but by the size.
Vesterbro,
Frederiksberg, Østerbro: they are the three
neighborhoods surrounding the down town, and well communicated by train, bus
and in some cases Metro. Here you will feel the real Danish life, and ride your
bike to anywhere. Here you can find four or five floor buildings, bike paths,
gardens, parks, and plenty of supermarkets and schools.
Vest Amager:
Designed as a new area with big parks, malls and open spaces, it is in risk to
be a middle-class ghetto for foreigners. It is well communicated with city
center by metro and bus, but Danish shy away from this area.
Hellerup, Gentofte, Lyngby and northern towns: Danish high-class neighborhoods. Most of buildings
are family houses.
Valby, Vanløse and west Copenhagen: It is a good choice. It is a little cheaper and not far
away from the city center.
4. Apartment rental
agencies:
Be
aware of these rental agencies. This is the most important tip! As a desperate
foreigner you would have temptation on call one of these agencies and get over
the problem. Do not do it!! You will have to pay a 3 months deposit, and you
will make a huge effort to recover it, if finally you can.
In my personal opinion, and based on my own experiences, you must specially avoid this one: http://www.cityapartment.dk
5. You found it!
Congratulations!
You did it. But be careful with the contract. Try getting a copy of the
contract in English. Be sure that you have access to all the common facilities
of the building (laundry, bikes room…), check that central heating is included
in the price, and ask for the notice period to leave the apartment.
