tcollins
Hi All
We are planning on being in bali for 12 months from January next year. We are looking to lease a villa for 12 months around the seminyak, oberoi, petitenget, kerobokan, umalas, areas.
I have been looking at some places online, but many agents have said it is too early for them to take a deposit for a booking like this.
We were thinking of heading to Bali in May to look at some properties and view the school that our kids will attend, but I am afraid that it again might be too early and places we view will not be available.
Does anyone have experience in this area about the best timings for arranging a lease of a property, and what we can do if we want to secure a place far enough ahead of time?
Thanks
tcollins
Thanks for the help- much appreciated.
Re visas- the school the our kids will attend has put us in contact with their visa agent. Looks like KITAS visas for them and probably a Social Visa for us that can be extended where required.
It is essential to have a local bank account for rent and expenses? Will a credit card do in most cases?
davita
tcollins wroteIt is essential to have a local bank account for rent and expenses? Will a credit card do in most cases?
Initially you may be able to survive using a credit card but many places here charge for C/C...Bintang supermarket in Legian for example (2.5%)....and sometimes the exchange rate is ugly!!! I don't know anyone that can pay rent with a C/C.
The best way, once settled if not earlier, is to have a bank account...even if you need to ensure a large deposit first. The common method here is to transfer money using the ATM machine....or cellphone transfer.
tcollins
One of the things that I am concerned about is the fact we are wanting to move in around mid January- peak holiday season. I am concerned that placed might be rented out for he December January holiday period reasonably early, and possibly vacant for a few months after that.
Do you think this could be an issue.
tcollins
Thanks for all the tips.
We are definitely looking for the enclosed living area style villas. Not a fan of the total open air type.
Very tempted to book something for around a month and then move, but not sure we want to with the kids and school.
Thanks
davita
I'm all for planning ahead...even now I'm obsessing with a plan for holidaying in the USA this September/October, so I know your pain...or is it masochistic pleasure.:icon_eek:
My view is that making a decision now, on accommodation you wish to accept next January, is way too early. If you come in May then it's a good time to review all the possibilities. There is a glut of western-style villas available and many more are being built for a market that, come the end of the year, imo, may not be sustainable and a better deal may be had. If you found your absolute dreamhouse now, and wanted to make a deposit, what will the owner do if someone comes along and wants it immediately...he'll dump you! You might get your refund...but your dream may be shattered.
If it were me I'd review in May and keep a priority portfolio of what's desirable and, come November, recheck the availability of that portfolio and make offers. Actually, I'd only sign a month/month contract until absolutely sure that's where I wanted to stay for the year. You might get resistance from realtors but you are in the saddle, so don't let them bug you. Most realtors in Bali are not even qualified by any standards.....they are finders.
It might be a good idea to try open a bank account in Bali in May so money transfer becomes easier...generally banks don't allow accounts without a Kitas but some do...check forum threads for those recommended.
BTW Are you familiar with the visa requirements to stay long-term in RI?
davita
tcollins wroteOne of the things that I am concerned about is the fact we are wanting to move in around mid January- peak holiday season. I am concerned that placed might be rented out for he December January holiday period reasonably early, and possibly vacant for a few months after that.
Do you think this could be an issue.
Anytime after around 7 January is a low season for tourism (local and foreign) in Bali....it is also the wettest. I used to live in Jakarta and always waited till after 7 January to buy airline tickets and make hotel/villa reservations for Bali holidays. I'm Scots, mean and not attracted to beaches.... unless having a bar nearby.
Check-out when the schools restart...also check when local airlines and hotels reduce rates to get the absolute date/year. For example, I read in the news that hotels are currently around 50% occupancy...and have been since just after 1st week in January.
There are 2 types of villa accommodation...one is for short-term tourist rental, which will be expensive according to season, and the other for your long-term requirement. IMO there is, and will continue to be, much more supply than demand. Some villas around my area have remained empty for a year or more. Maybe they aren't intended for rent or the owners just gave up looking for tenants....I don't know.
Even after you've surveyed everything in May, and still nothing has materialized, I'd advise to come in mid-January and stay in a 'near to school' short-term villa till you're absolutely sure of your long-term requirement. Keep an open mind and don't be rushed or believe what some with vested interest tell you...talk is cheap in Indonesia...you can get 3 different stories from the same person....especially if they work for gov't.....or a realtor.:lemo:
btw Beware of the open-walled style villas in Bali...they are attractive for a day or two but, when the rain/wind starts, are inhospitable. You will be living in the bedrooms.
Markit
davita wroteAnytime after around 7 January is a low season for tourism (local and foreign) in Bali....it is also the wettest. I used to live in Jakarta and always waited till after 7 January to buy airline tickets and make hotel/villa reservations for Bali holidays. I'm Scots, mean and not attracted to beaches.... unless having a bar nearby.[COLOR=#ff0000] Check you calendar - the Chinese New Year - this week- is also high season for lots of rental places. [/COLOR]
Check-out when the schools restart...also check when local airlines and hotels reduce rates to get the absolute date/year. For example, I read in the news that hotels are currently around 50% occupancy...and have been since just after 1st week in January.
There are 2 types of villa accommodation...one is for short-term tourist rental, which will be expensive according to season, and the other for your long-term requirement. IMO there is, and will continue to be, much more supply than demand. Some villas around my area have remained empty for a year or more. Maybe they aren't intended for rent or the owners just gave up looking for tenants....I don't know. [COLOR=#ff0000]Lots of places are lying about there occupancy because they aren't paying taxes so again careful what you believe/hear. [/COLOR]
Even after you've surveyed everything in May, and still nothing has materialized, I'd advise to come in mid-January and stay in a 'near to school' short-term villa till you're absolutely sure of your long-term requirement. Keep an open mind and don't be rushed or believe what some with vested interest tell you...talk is cheap in Indonesia...you can get 3 different stories from the same person....especially if they work for gov't.....or a realtor.:lemo:
btw Beware of the open-walled style villas in Bali...they are attractive for a day or two but, when the rain/wind starts, are inhospitable. You will be living in the bedrooms.[COLOR=#ff0000] Disagree completely see my pix - have lived there for 2 years off and on and love it to bits - who needs walls. Even in the rain I just let down the bamboo "walls" and the rest of the time enjoy those wonderful sea breezes - much better than AC and lots, lots cheaper[/COLOR]
As usual I tend to disagree with you D - see why above. And below.
[ATTACH]2377.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2378.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2379.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2380.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2381.vB[/ATTACH]
If living near to a particular school was important I'd come here well before the school year was over and choose a school where I wanted to go and then ask if anyone is leaving at the end of the present school year - take over their rental, job done.
But what do I know?
davita
I was in Kuta yesterday...compared with other visits the place was empty. Discovery Mall was devoid of tourists and the hairdresser I use there was complaining about no clients and sent staff home. Matahari/Dulang had very few people and the beach in Kuta had only the hardy...it poured with rain around 2 PM.
Mind you...I refused an invite for dim sum today.
I live in a complex of 4 near identical villas and mine is the only one occupied. Mine is the only one with sliding enclosures and A/C. There are 4 more almost completed nearby but only one has sold...I'm told by my spy...our driver.
All the way down the street are PLN electric poles advertising villas for rent. Outside Bali Budha there is a huge billboard with villas for rent adverts...inside Cafe Moka there's another. Nearly all are for long-term leases. The OP is looking for a years lease...not a holiday.
Markit may have a point about finding someone about to give up a lease and maybe the Australian International School can help...maybe they even have a notice board with adverts such as those in pubs, resto's and supermarkets.
Open to the wind/rain/bugs is a personal choice...I just brought it to the OPs attention in case he was unaware.
Gong Zi Fat Choy.
Markit
Wow! Can I please, please move down south? Not!
I never realized what you poor bastards had to put up with.
Seriously (please keep it to yourself) we have almost none of that long, long list of woes.
Ok, frogs yes - usually only after it rains, chickens yes but only at dawn, some techno but not much in comparison (I wrote about it, but now feel foolish), banjar wake up call at 6am only, mozzis only between 6pm and 7pmish but not many, none if you sit in front of a fan, a little smoke every 3 or 4 months at the end of the rice harvest.
We have 1 dog, 2 cats and that's about all we get on wildlife. As you can see from the pix it's Bali out there not DumpassR.
davita
I hope the OP is tuned in to your grievances DPH as it is useful for him when he selects where he wants to reside next year...good reason to not jump into something which may be regretted later.
I don't disagree with your rant DPH and you can throw in traffic, garbage disposal, Pura's in the middle of the road, celebrations where the major streets are closed and diversions rare. BUT....I'm cognizant of smoke's signature to all his posts....'Please Leave your Western thoughts and ways at Immigration'.
I practice 'namaste'... as well as ensuring I'm consistantly buzzed from alcohol...:cupcake:
DenpasarHouse
That truly looks lovely Markit, but I wouldn't last a week there. I'm with Davita on this one, that sort of setup is strictly for the tourists. Do you get many mosquitoes out your way? If not, I don't think they'll be so lucky down south, closer to the where the schools are.
Here's a check list of the problems we've had in suburban Denpasar, and our house isn't even open to the elements.
-Bees.
-Wasps.
-Cockroaches.
-Some sort of small Cicada like insect that spawned en masse and was attracted to the outside light on the upstairs balcony. It was like a snow drift of insect wings. Imagine if they were able to get inside.
-Geckos (endlessly, and they don't all leave that dry, non-offensive **** hanging about. Sometimes it's like bird **** and at other times a big, black drawn out stain on the walls. Welcome and lucky house guests my arse!)
-Bats. (But only once . . . on the morning of hosting our wedding reception in the house. Bastard.)
-Mosquitoes (endlessly, but less so in the wet season).
-Termites (endlessly, as the landlord unwisely used wooden skirting boards and cornices. Constantly cleaning up wood dust from them).
-Ants (endlessly, and they love to eat anything rubber. I've lost two computer keyboards and my good dress shoes to them.)
-Rats (2 different kinds. The usual kind and another one that looks a bit like a mole).
-Frogs (but rarely. The noise would drive you mad though if you couldn't block them out).
-Cats and kittens in the ceiling. A kitten once fell down a drainpipe into our house (poorly designed rain pipe system).
-Cats ****ting inside our house and on the balconies.
-Snakes - 2 medium sized ones that were flushed out of the drains after a storm - not personally at our house but at a friend's place in the middle of Denpasar.
The only animal we haven't had problems with is dogs, but that's because we keep the gate closed at all times.
Also, there's a few human caused annoyances that a house open to the elements won't protect you from.
-The smoke from people who burn leaves and rubbish. Because of the universal littering problem here there will ALWAYS be burning plastic, so those acrid, toxic fumes are something to look forward to.
-Inconsiderate neighbours with car alarms and remote keys that beep to show they're locked/unlocked.
-Un-muffled exhausts on motorbikes.
-Noisy kids.
-Loud techno music from young guys hanging out with their friends until late.
-Dogs that are destined never to be silenced.
-Chickens and crowing roosters (still pretty much everywhere even though we're in the city). What's there to crow about at 2am in the morning?
-Fireworks on and around New Years. I now know what a war zone feels like.
-Noise from the local Banjar blasted out at 6am, 12pm and 6pm. I personally like this.
-Sometimes, when the weather's right, I can clearly here the call to prayer from the main Mosque in Denpasar. This doesn't bother me though, as it's not too loud.
If it's not obvious yet, your best bet is to find an underground concrete bunker. I'm only half joking.
Seriously though, your success on renting out a place will largely come down to luck. Don't pay a year in advance without at least living in the same area first.
davita
OMG DPH...you must be living in hell!!!:icon_e_surprised:
Hopefully tcollins is noting you are mostly just joking...aren't you? I live in Kerobokan and have none of those issues except chitchats, and their poop, but they dine on mozzies. I do get bitten by some midgies, which cannot be seen, but I think they like my Hatten wine odour as they never bite anyone else. We did a termite extermination program early on so no problem with that. Interestingly, there used to be 2 friendly frogs. The male endeavoured to hump his girl and often fell in the pool but, probably because we fog our place weekly, they've both disappeared....I guess there's no food for them.
I was only informing about open-plan Bali villas. Mine was originally like that when I bought but, from the outset, planned on enclosing with sliding glass. Therefore, it is optional to be open (most of the time) or slide closed for comfort (dinner parties) and still have a view of the garden/pool/waterfalls.
This is the season we get invaded by Larons...they love the lights and could end up clogging the pool as they die in their millions in a very short 2 day season. I switch off all the garden lights when they arrive.
DenpasarHouse
davita wroteOMG DPH...you must be living in hell!!!:icon_e_surprised:
Ha ha! Not really. All the animal related problems are ones that I've experienced here at our house over a 2 year period, but the human related problems are just a collection of what you might expect to find if your silly enough to want to live in a open-plan home, in a built up area.
davita wroteHopefully tcollins is noting you are mostly just joking...aren't you?
Not really joking, they obviously don't all happen at the same time but they do happen. You do need a lot of luck to avoid these problems, you can buy some of that luck by moving to a nicer area, but there's still no guarantee. Indonesians are incredibly tolerant and won't fix, or complain, about things that would have the average westerner pulling their hair out.
Also, I haven't even started on all the things that were/are wrong with our rental property. Dealing with landlords and handymen is a whole other set of problems.
Not to mention my Balinese wife! Don't get me started . . . because she's lovely. Ha!
Oh yeah, while I'm venting, I had my first experience with Balinese gangsters the other day. The first time they came, they tricked me into opening the gate as I thought they were from the local Banjar. After telling me who they represented (Pemuda Bali I think), I realised I knew the name from all those "Happy New Year" type posters you see all around Denpasar. I don't think all the groups that make these posters are gangs, but most of them are. They were soliciting donations to build a local Pos Kambling (Security Post) in our street. Total bull**** and I knew it, but they were already inside so I just gave them Rp50.000 to seem polite and get rid of them. Stupid idea, as they then wrote down my name, address and the amount of the donation. A week later they turned up at the gate at 9 o'clock at night and before they could say anything I just said that I was sorry but the Head of the local Banjar had forbidden me to have any more dealings with them and walked back inside. That worked, but I'm not happy about being on their list.
I'm still happy living in Bali but I've learnt the hard way that Murphy's Law has got nothing on Made's Law.
Adam
Apologies for the dislike DenpasarHouse. I'm on a boat and the ground hasn't stood still for 2 weeks.
Sounds like you need to move to Utopia, Karangasem district. Word of caution though, relocation may lead to pestilent forum posting and inane boredom or vice versa.
Adam
Whoops, double post.
no.idea
davita wroteAnytime after around 7 January is a low season for tourism (local and foreign) in Bali....
Check-out when the schools restart...also check when local airlines and hotels reduce rates to get the absolute date/year. For example, I read in the news that hotels are currently around 50% occupancy...and have been since just after 1st week in January.
Interesting comment. I do not have a spare room in our hotel plus our villas are all fully booked. We operate at around 90% occupancy over the entire year.
However I agree about planning ahead. I am planning to go to the beach for a beer in just under an hours time.
Billt4SF
davita wrote I live in Kerobokan
Where is that? Google maps can't seem to locate it. Is it a town in North Kuta?
- Bill
tcollins
So concrete bunker it is :icon_wink:
Thanks very much for all the tips and honest advice. I am hoping with a bit of smart planning an forethought we can try to avoid some of the above.
I am very much leaning towards the notion of getting a place for a month or 2 and then possibly moving, but not really over the moon about it. At a minimum I think we will pay on a month to month for a place.
Are there any pest control services that are worth getting before we move into a place? We use one for our house in Sydney that we have done yearly and has made a big difference.
Last question is around a villa on it's own as opposed to in a complex. My only concern with a complex was possibly having the other villas rented out as holiday rentals and having people coming and going often. apart from possible noise from drunk tourists, I really wanted to be in a neighbourhood where we could get to know our neighbours. Any thoughts?
no.idea
Billt4SF wroteWhere is that?
- Bill
Bill, Kerobokan has a wonderful gated community. People are doing all sorts of things to get into the safety of this particular place.
Tcollins, you will have a bit of trouble finding a place for just a couple of months. Most villa owners want a year or more of the lease up front. This alone stops many of those who are toying with the idea of coming here to live.
