Finding rental housing in a foreign country can be a daunting task, especially for international students and remote workers. With so many rental platforms available, it can be difficult to choose a reliable and trustworthy one.
In this blog post, we share the experience of Anna-Maria Huber from Germany, who is doing her master's in management in Portugal and found her rentals in Lisbon through Flatio.
Anna was looking for rental accommodation for herself and her boyfriend, who works remotely. She wanted a place that was conveniently located and easy to commute to. Through a Google search, Anna came across Flatio and decided to give it a try.
In an interview with Flatio, Anna said that finding and booking accommodation through Flatio was easy and communication with the landlord was smooth.
"The whole process was super easy, super convenient. We had no problems from start to finish. Communication with the landlady was clear and very straightforward. I felt like I could contact her at any time and ask her anything, and she always responded within a short time.
Overall, all I can say is that it was a really positive experience for us and exceeded our expectations."
The needs of remote workers
In addition to her experience with Flatio, Anna also talked about what she thinks are the most important needs of remote workers and students like her who need to attend some online classes from home.
"It's very important, of course, that you have a good Wi-Fi connection. And then I'd say comfortable desks and chairs."
When asked about her experience in Lisbon, Anna said she appreciated the size of the city and the sense of community among foreigners. "It's very easy to meet other people."
Advice on choosing a rental platform
Anna advises anyone looking for rentals in Portugal to choose a trusted and certified platform, especially when booking from abroad.
"It's really important that you find a website that already has some reviews. That's the most important point," she said.
She also shared her thoughts on what qualities landlords should have, especially when dealing with foreign tenants.
"When you move to another city, you probably don't know anyone yet or you don't know who to turn to. So I think it's important that landlords know English really well, communicate well, and know how to respond, and that they're always available to solve problems, like Wi-Fi issues."
Finally, Anna suggested that landlords make sure tenants who live together can meet and get to know each other better. She feels this could help create a sense of community among tenants, especially for those who are new to the city.
Are you a landlord? Would you like to rent to remote workers and students?
Does the idea of housing remote workers and students and generating passive rental income for most of the year sound interesting to you as a landlord?
If so, we can help you connect with hundreds of students and remote workers, including digital nomads, from around the world.
Flatio, with 4.5 stars on Trustpilot, is the first choice for a growing number of independent landlords in Europe and beyond. We can help you start and run a hassle-free rental business or successfully grow your rental business.
So what are you waiting for? All you have to do is list your property on Flatio now, which you can do FOR FREE!
