Current Rental Prices
Realtors report that one-room apartments are in the highest demand.“The average rental price for a one-room apartment ranges from 45,000 to 55,000 soms,” explains Alla Zinovyeva, a real estate specialist.
As for two-room apartments, their rental prices start from 55,000 to 70,000 soms, while three-room apartments begin at 85,000 soms and higher. Pricing depends on the condition, renovations, and location of the housing, as well as the level of infrastructure development in the area.
Housing Demand in Different Areas
“The search for housing is relevant in any area of the city, whether it’s ‘Jal’, ‘Tunguch’, or the center. People primarily pay attention to the convenience of transport accessibility to work, kindergarten, or school,” emphasizes the realtor.Rapid Disappearance of Cheap Apartments from the Market
A critical problem is the lack of affordable apartments.“Cheap apartments disappear from the market instantly. Sometimes this happens in just an hour,” clarifies the expert.
According to her, many are looking for more economical options, but with current prices, this is becoming increasingly difficult. “Salaries are low for everyone, and the desire to find more affordable housing is quite natural. But, unfortunately, it’s unrealistic,” admits Zinovyeva.
Reasons for High Rental Costs
Property owners are increasingly viewing their apartments as investments. After purchasing, they invest money in renovations and then try to recoup their expenses through rental income. “With the rise in prices for building materials and services, even one-room apartments after renovation cannot cost 35,000–40,000 soms. As a result, owners set higher prices to compensate for their investments. We constantly analyze the rental and labor market. Sometimes owners set prices that are too high, and we recommend they reconsider their expectations,” shares Zinovyeva.The Danger of Fraud
The lack of affordable apartments gives rise to the activity of fraudsters. People start responding to any attractive advertisements. There are offers for apartments at suspiciously low prices online, for example, for 30,000 soms. Usually, such advertisements request communication only via messengers. After receiving a “prepayment for reservation,” such landlords disappear. Experts advise never to transfer money in advance and to meet the owner in person, checking the documents for the housing. It is best to make payment only after signing the contract and receiving the keys.Many users on social media share their experiences in searching for housing and describe the difficulties they encountered.
“I don’t know what to do anymore. Why has finding an apartment in Bishkek become so difficult? Prices are inflated, there are deposits, fraudsters, and temporary housing is rented for 20,000 soms,” writes one city resident.
“Prices are skyrocketing, and the quality of apartments leaves much to be desired. Plus, the deposit equals the rental cost. Some owners simply ignore messages and calls, while agencies only offer access to Telegram channels with many inactive or non-existent numbers,” shares another resident of the capital.
“I even saw that someone is renting out a kitchen. A kitchen! What is happening in Bishkek?” questions a Kyrgyzstani.
Students in a Difficult Situation
Students, including foreigners, are facing particularly tough challenges. They need to pay not only for housing and transportation but also for their education. A contract at universities can cost around 100,000 soms per year, which represents a significant financial burden for many families.Students most often look for the cheapest options or shared housing, and they are the ones who fall victim to fraudsters. Foreign students complain that finding suitable housing is almost impossible for them.
Discussion of the Problem in Parliament
High rental prices have become a topic of discussion in the Jogorku Kenesh. Deputy Bolot Sagynayev proposed an initiative to build a student campus with affordable housing. Deputy Saltanat Amanova, in turn, suggested revoking the licenses of universities that do not have their own dormitories.According to her, during the Soviet era, students had guaranteed places in dormitories and could focus on their studies, whereas now many are forced to work and spend a large portion of their income on rent.
As of now, the situation remains unchanged: rental prices in Bishkek continue to hit the pocket, and affordable housing remains out of reach for many city residents.
