Hungarian rental market is facing a huge change: could energy-saving apartments be the future?

The rise in overhead costs is transforming the real estate market. As the prices of electricity and gas are rising, the rental market is facing a huge challenge. Could energy-saving apartments be the future?

Demand for energy-saving apartments

According to ATV, the demand for modernly built, energy-saving apartments with lower utility bills has increased. “It is a serious consideration what the utility costs of the given property are”, said László Balogh, an analyst at ingtalan.com. Currently, more than 11,000 apartments are offered for rent. Rents have increased by 25 percent compared to 2021 prices. However, university students who share a larger apartment, also consume more. “In the case of large apartments, it can count if it is an outdated apartment equipped with an old heating system. Then, in the winter months, for an apartment shared by three or four students, the consumption can easily be above the average, and in extreme cases, the utility costs can even exceed the rent.” – says Benedikt Károly, head of analysis at Duna House.

Currency deterioration also influences the rental market

As napi.hu reports, the rate of currency deterioration presumably continued to increase in July. This means that the end of the interest rate increase is not yet in sight: the interest level may rise to 13 percent. Further interest rate hikes can accelerate the decline in demand, which can lead to stagnation or possibly price reductions for larger and non-energy-efficient properties. Now, buyers are looking for properties between 40-60 square metres.

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The deposit may play a more important role

The deposit can play a more prominent role in the future of the rental market. -writes 168.hu. If necessary, the owner can use it to cover utility bills. “Higher utility costs mean a higher risk for the owners: some ask for three instead of the usual two-month deposit. However, this is not so efficient, because in this way a person moving in would have to pay more than HUF 1 million (EUR 2550.44) to the owner”- explained László Balogh.

Read alsoDecreasing market prices at Hungarian petrol stations from 5 August

Source: ATV, napi.hu, 168.hu

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2 Comments

Apprehensiveness : says:

09/08/2022 at 13:23

Re-open ALL those Closed off Chimneys -and Fire Places – in houses & apartments – revert back to the “days of past “.
Major amount of propertys – still have coal delivery bunker doors at street level, to deliver the Coal or Wood – for Heating of propertys purpose.
Stupidity of an Idea ?
Thats the PROBLEM – no-body has an ANSWER – the way we REALLY are going to Manage – in Hungary- keep warm, throughout the Winter months, that are APPROACING.
Jasper says:

09/08/2022 at 16:35

One of my apartments in Central Budapest (a conversion of a former mill) has all the modern energy saving equipment on a central system.. The air conditioning uses heat pumps that in turn partially heat the water and other heat pumps assist the gas heating in the winter. Everything is metered, heating cooling and hot water. That apartment is 59m3. The apartment that I live in was built in 1910, is 100m3 and has the old double windows (although the inner set has “thermo glass” ie double glazed units.) This apartment has gas “cirko” – 7 years old – although on occasion I have used one of the air conditioning units instead if I just want to warm up one room. Guess which has the highest bills. The fancy conversion with the high tech, by a long chalk.