Current Rental Rates
According to realtors, one-bedroom apartments are in the highest demand. Real estate specialist Alla Zinovyeva notes that the rent for such housing ranges from 45,000 to 55,000 soms.For two-bedroom apartments, the starting price is from 55,000 to 70,000 soms, depending on location and size. Three-bedroom apartments cost from 85,000 soms and up. The final price depends on the condition of the housing, the quality of renovations, and the infrastructure of the area.
Demand in Different Areas of Bishkek
Realtors report that the search for rentals is ongoing across all districts of the capital, including "Jal," "Tunguch," and the city center. People generally focus on the convenience of getting to work, school, or kindergarten.Affordable Apartments Disappear Quickly
The main problem is the lack of available apartments."Affordable options are snapped up very quickly, sometimes within an hour," shares the specialist.
According to her, many wish to find cheaper housing, but with current prices, this is becoming increasingly difficult. "Salaries are low for everyone, and the desire to rent a cheaper apartment is completely natural. But unfortunately, this is currently impossible," adds Zinovyeva.
Reasons for High Rental Prices
Many property owners view their apartments as an investment. After purchasing, they invest in renovations and then seek to recoup those investments through rent. "Every year, the cost of building materials and labor increases, so even a one-bedroom apartment after renovation can no longer cost 35,000-40,000 soms. As a result, owners set higher prices to cover their expenses. We constantly monitor the rental and labor market. Sometimes we come across cases where owners inflate prices, and we advise them that the market cannot sustain such high rates," Zinovyeva explains.Fraudsters Exploit the Situation
Due to the lack of affordable housing, people start reacting to any attractive offers. This creates opportunities for fraudsters. Online ads for apartments at suspiciously low prices, such as 30,000 soms, appear, and they request communication only through messengers. After receiving a deposit, such landlords disappear. Experts recommend never sending money in advance and always meeting the owner in person, checking the documents for the apartment. The best way is to make payment only after signing the contract and receiving the keys.Many people on social media share their experiences of searching for housing and discuss the difficulties they encounter.
"I don’t know what to do next. Why has searching for an apartment in Bishkek become a real challenge? Prices are inflated, deposits are the same as the rent, and some landlords simply ignore messages and calls," shares a city resident.
"Prices are just astronomical, and the quality of apartments leaves much to be desired. Sometimes the deposit equals the rent. And some rental agencies simply provide access to Telegram channels where half of the listings are inactive or don’t exist at all," reports another capital resident.
"I’ve seen listings for renting kitchens. Kitchens! What is happening in Bishkek?" writes a Kyrgyzstani.
Students in a Difficult Situation
In such a situation, students, including foreign ones, are particularly hard hit. They are forced to pay not only for housing and transportation but also for their education. A contract at a university can cost around 100,000 soms per year, which is a significant burden for many families.Students most often look for the cheapest options or shared housing, and they often become victims of scams. Foreign students complain about the almost impossible task of finding housing.
Discussion of the Problem in Parliament
High rental prices have already become a topic of discussion in the Jogorku Kenesh. Deputy Bolot Sagynayev proposed creating a student campus with affordable housing. Another deputy, Saltanat Amanova, initiated the revocation of licenses for universities that do not have their own dormitories.According to her, in Soviet times, students were guaranteed places in dormitories and could focus on their studies, while today many have to work and spend a large portion of their income on rent.
Meanwhile, the situation remains the same: renting in Bishkek continues to hit hard financially, and affordable housing remains a dream for many city residents.
