If you are staying for less than five years you will probably decide to rent and, even if you eventually decide to purchase a property, it is probably best to rent during your initial settling-in period while you get to know Luxembourg a bit better.
Most properties are rented out by estate agents, although there are some weekly magazines and internet sites where people advertise independently and you can also put on an advertisement asking for accommodation. This is probably the most cost-efficient way of renting as you avoid paying the (sometimes) large agent’s fees on top of a probable three months’ deposit. Do also be warned that most estate agents are closed at weekends so house hunting is usually confined to weekdays.
Most properties are rented out unfurnished, possibly (but less usually these days) without any kitchen appliances and quite probably without curtains, carpets etc. If you manage to rent an apartment before the other tenants move, they will normally be happy to sell-on the fixtures and furniture they can’t take with them. If you do find a furnished apartment to rent, please ensure you have a written agreement with the landlord over who is responsible for contents insurance.
Contracts normally run for one or three years and if you move before the end of your contract you may need to pay a penalty, although if the landlord (or you) find another tenant to move in immediately this will normally not happen. It is possible to get a ‘diplomatic clause’ put into the contract, whereby if you have to move aboard (i.e. out of Luxembourg) before the contract expires you will not be liable for a penalty.
At the end of the contract period you are expect to leave everything ‘as you found it’. The apartment will be inspected after you have moved out and if things are not in order the landlord can keep a part/or all of your deposit to pay for cleaning or repairs.
USEFUL LINKS
Short-stay accommodation - temporary accommodation:
Hotels in Luxembourg
www.youthhostels.lu
Scouts chalets
Appart-hotels
Senator (Luxembourg - Gare) (from 248 for a 7 nights package aprox.35.42€ /day)
Marco Polo (Luxembourg - Gare) (from 46 €)
Alvisse Parc Hôtel (Luxembourg - Dommeldange) (from 84 €)
Domus Hôtel (Luxembourg - Centre) (from 595 € for a 7 nights package aprox. 85 €/ day)
Empire (Luxembourg - Gare) (from 90 €)
Ponte Vecchio (Lux-Kirchberg) (from 95 €)
The Residence (Luxembourg - Gare) (from 100 €)
Key Inn (Luxembourg - Belair) (from 112 €)
House sharing:
www.luxfriends.eu
www.appartager.lu
www.recherche-colocation.com
www.colocforum.net
www.coloctoit.com
Long-term accommodation:
www.athome.lu
www.habiter.lu
www.immostar.lu
www.immofinder.lu
www.guideimmobilier.lu
www.station.lu (information website for the international community)
editusnet.luxweb.com
Newspapers and magazines
Isquare Magazine (monthly edition)
www.isquare.lu
352 (weekly news and small ads in English)
www.news352.lu
Luxemburger Wort (daily Luxembourg newspaper)
www.wort.lu
Lux-bazar (on Fridays)
www.luxbazar.lu
Furniture rental
Interior Rent Luxembourg
63 rue des Trévires
L-2628 Luxembourg
Tel: +352 498 389
Fax: +352 498 399
Email: info@interiorrent.com
www.interiorrent.com