Finding a long-term rental in Bali is not like renting an apartment back home. There’s no MLS, no standard lease, and no rental agency you can trust blindly. Most of it happens through Facebook groups, word of mouth, villa agents, and driving around looking for “For Rent” signs.
It works, but you need to know the process to avoid overpaying or getting scammed. Here’s how to find and secure a long-term rental in Bali.
TL;DR — Rental Prices by Area
| Type | Canggu | Ubud | Sanur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room in shared villa | $250–$450 | $200–$350 | $200–$300 |
| 1BR studio/apartment | $400–$700 | $300–$550 | $300–$500 |
| 1BR villa (no pool) | $500–$800 | $400–$600 | $350–$550 |
| 1BR villa with pool | $700–$1,200 | $500–$900 | $500–$800 |
| 2BR villa with pool | $1,000–$2,000 | $700–$1,300 | $700–$1,200 |
Monthly rates for 3+ month stays. Shorter stays are 20–40% more.
Where to Search
1. Facebook Groups (Most Popular)
The primary marketplace for Bali rentals. Join these groups:
- “Bali Long Term Rentals” — largest, most active
- “Canggu Community” — Canggu-specific listings
- “Ubud Community” — Ubud-specific
- “Bali Accommodation — Rent & Sell”
- “Digital Nomads Bali” — occasional listings
How it works: Owners, agents, and departing tenants post listings with photos and prices. DM them, arrange a viewing, negotiate, done.
Pro tip: The best listings get snapped up within hours. Set notifications for these groups and respond fast to new posts.
2. Villa Agents
Local agents specialize in connecting foreigners with villa owners. They take a commission from the owner (not you), so their service is effectively free.
- How to find them: Google Maps, recommendations from other nomads, or ask at coworking spaces
- Pros: They do the legwork, handle negotiations, and can show you 5–10 places in a day
- Cons: Some agents push higher-priced listings (bigger commission)
3. Airbnb (Negotiate Monthly Rates)
Many Airbnb hosts offer steep discounts for monthly bookings — often 40–60% off the nightly rate. This is a good starting point, especially for your first month.
- Pros: Verified photos, reviews, secure payment
- Cons: Most expensive option even with monthly discount, Airbnb service fee adds 10–15%
4. Walking / Driving Around
The old-school method: ride your scooter through your target neighborhood and look for “For Rent” / “Disewakan” signs. This often leads to the best deals because you’re cutting out middlemen.
- Pros: Cheapest prices, see the place in context
- Cons: Time-consuming, need basic Indonesian or bring a translator app
5. Online Platforms
- Rumah.com / OLX — Indonesian property listings, mostly in Bahasa
- Bali Home Immo — expat-focused property portal
- Flokq — furnished apartments
Types of Accommodation
| Type | Description | Monthly | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kost | Boarding house, small room, shared facilities | $150–$350 | Budget solo |
| Studio/apartment | Self-contained unit in a building | $300–$700 | Solo/couples |
| Villa (shared) | Room in a multi-bedroom villa | $250–$450 | Social, budget |
| Villa (private) | Your own house, often with garden | $500–$2,000+ | Privacy |
| Villa + pool | Private villa with pool | $700–$2,000+ | Premium |
What to Check Before Renting
Must-Check List
- WiFi speed — Ask for a speed test. Or visit and test yourself. Minimum 20 Mbps for remote work.
- Water pressure — Common issue in Bali. Test the shower.
- Hot water — Not always included, especially in cheaper places.
- AC — Essential for sleeping. Check it works and cools the room adequately.
- Electricity setup — Prepaid (token) or postpaid? What’s the power capacity (900W, 1300W, 2200W)?
- Mold / dampness — Check walls and ceilings. Bali’s humidity causes mold in poorly ventilated rooms.
- Security — Gate, lock quality, safe area?
- Noise — Construction nearby? Dogs barking? Road noise?
- Flooding — Some areas flood in rainy season. Ask neighbors.
- Kitchen — If you want to cook. Many villas have kitchens; kost usually don’t.
Red Flags
- Owner insists on full payment upfront (before you see the place)
- No contract or only a verbal agreement
- Price seems too good to be true (it probably is)
- Owner asks for passport as deposit
- Major construction next door (will continue for months)
Contracts & Payment
Typical Terms
| Term | Standard |
|---|---|
| Minimum stay | 3–6 months for best rates |
| Payment | Monthly or quarterly in advance |
| Deposit | 1 month rent (refundable) |
| Payment method | Bank transfer (BCA, Mandiri) or cash |
| Contract | Written agreement in English or bilingual |
What the Contract Should Include
- Monthly rate and what’s included (WiFi, water, electricity, cleaning)
- Deposit amount and refund conditions
- Duration and notice period
- Responsibility for repairs and maintenance
- Who pays for utilities
- Cancellation/early termination terms
Pro tip: Always get a written contract, even for casual arrangements. Take photos of the property’s condition at move-in. WhatsApp the photos to the owner as a timestamped record.
Negotiation Tips
- Longer stays = lower prices. A 6-month commitment can be 15–25% cheaper per month than a 1-month rental.
- Negotiate directly with owners. Cut out the middleman when possible.
- Pay in IDR, not USD. Owners who quote in USD are targeting tourists and pricing accordingly.
- Visit in person first. Photos can be misleading. Always see the place before committing.
- Check comparable listings. Know the market rate for the area before negotiating.
- Off-season discounts. November–February (rainy season) often has 10–20% lower rents.
Common Scams & How to Avoid Them
The Fake Listing
Scam: Posting photos of a nice villa at a low price, taking deposit, then the place doesn’t exist or is nothing like the photos. Avoid: Never pay before seeing the place in person. Never wire money to someone you haven’t met.
The Bait and Switch
Scam: Showing you a great villa, then upon move-in directing you to a worse room/unit. Avoid: Insist on seeing the exact room/unit you’ll occupy. Take photos during the visit and reference them in the contract.
The Non-Refundable Deposit
Scam: Owner keeps your deposit claiming “damage” that didn’t exist. Avoid: Photo/video document everything at move-in. Include clear deposit refund terms in the contract.
The Hidden Costs
Scam: “WiFi included!” but it’s 2 Mbps. “All inclusive!” but electricity is capped and you pay extra. Avoid: Spell out every inclusion in the contract. Test WiFi speed before signing.
Monthly Cost Breakdown (Beyond Rent)
| Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity (AC usage) | Rp 200K–500K ($12–$31) |
| Water | Rp 50K–100K ($3–$6) or included |
| WiFi (if not included) | Rp 300K–500K ($19–$31) |
| Cleaning (if not included) | Rp 400K–600K ($25–$37) for 2x/week |
| Laundry | Rp 200K–400K ($12–$25) per month |
| Pool maintenance (if applicable) | Usually included in villa rent |
Pro tip: Electricity is the hidden cost that surprises most nomads. Running AC 8 hours/day can cost Rp 300K–500K ($19–$31)/month on top of rent. Ask if electricity is included or separate.
FAQ
When is the best time to look for rentals? October–November and February–March (shoulder seasons) have the most availability and lowest prices. June–August (high season) is the most competitive.
Can I rent a villa without KITAS? Yes. Most villa rentals are informal agreements between you and the owner. No residency permit required. However, you can’t legally own property in Indonesia as a foreigner.
How far in advance should I book? For high season (Jun–Aug), 4–6 weeks ahead. For other months, 1–2 weeks or even a few days is fine.
Is it better to book from home or find a place after arriving? Arrive first, stay in a short-term Airbnb or coliving for 1–2 weeks, and search in person. You’ll get better deals and actually see what you’re renting.