How to lease your Serbian apartment from abroad – Easy, safe, profitable

Are you a property owner in Serbia looking to rent out your apartment for the first time? Especially if you bought your apartment as an investment, and now want to generate monthly income from it — this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

From creating a professional listing, to finding serious tenants and avoiding misunderstandings — here's everything you need to know.

How to create a rental listing that stands out

Many rental listings on property websites are poorly made — photos are low quality, not all rooms are shown, and most ads don’t even include a floor plan. As a result, potential tenants leave the listing quickly and move on.

If you want to attract serious tenants and rent out your apartment quickly, choose a reliable real estate agency such as City Expert, where your property will be presented clearly and professionally.

How to rent out your apartment – Step by step

Step 1: Contact us

You can reach us in several ways:

Via online form: The fastest way is to fill out a simple contact form on our website. You’ll only need to enter your name, phone number, email address, and the city where your property is located. Select “For Rent” as the type of cooperation and our team will contact you shortly.

By phone:

• Belgrade: +381 11 44 26 000 (Mon–Fri: 9am–8pm)

• Novi Sad: +381 21 3 400 400 (Mon–Fri: 10am–6pm)

• Niš: +381 18 3 40 4000 (Mon–Fri: 10am–6pm)

Step 2: Pick a date - We'll come to you

After you contact us, we’ll agree on a time for our team to visit your property.

At the meeting, you’ll need to bring proof of ownership and sign an agency agreement.

Our team is professional and efficient — you don’t need to worry about a thing.

Step 3: Gathering information for the listing

Our team will take care of photographing and filming the apartment. High-quality visuals, a 360° tour and a detailed floor plan will help tenants understand the space and decide faster.

Your job is to provide accurate and detailed information about the apartment and its condition. The more honest and complete the listing, the fewer misunderstandings later.

Step 4: Publishing the listing

Once we collect all materials, our creative team prepares a full presentation of your apartment:

• A professional video

• Quality photos

• Interactive floor plan

• Basic property information

• Description of each room and its equipment

• Monthly costs

You can view an example of what your listing will look like on our website.

Thanks to our detailed listings and precise search filters, tenants can get a full impression of the apartment before seeing it in person.

This saves your time — only truly interested tenants will reach out. In many cases, the apartment is rented after just one visit.

You can choose whether to show the apartment yourself or allow our agents to do it by leaving the keys with us. There's no need for you to be physically present during the rental or re-rental process — we collect all necessary materials and documentation once, and your apartment can be rented out for years without you having to return to Serbia.

What else should you keep in mind?

Even after you find a tenant, it's important to protect your property and avoid misunderstandings. Here are some key tips:

1. Ask for a security deposit

Usually one month’s rent. This protects you in case of damage or unpaid bills. If everything is in good condition at the end, return the deposit to the tenant.

2. Make an inventory list 

List all items in the apartment — furniture, kitchenware, electronics — and note their condition. This way, you can compare when the tenant moves out.

3. Define rules about repairs

Who changes the lightbulbs, who fixes the fridge? Set clear expectations in advance to avoid disputes. We help you draft a lease agreement that covers all key aspects and is legally valid in Serbia.

4. Ask for proof of paid bills

You don’t want to deal with unpaid utilities after a tenant leaves. Ask for screenshots or receipts monthly.

If you're wondering how to rent out your apartment in Serbia — especially as a foreign property owner — the answer is simple: work with professionals.

At City Expert, we’ll help you create a strong listing, reach the right audience, and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Let your property work for you — and enjoy the passive income it brings. Fill out the form and our team will contact you shortly.