Renting Property in Zagreb
Connecting owners and tenants in Zagreb with vetted contracts and secure terms.
Renting property in Zagreb has two sides: owners who want a reliable tenant and steady income without hassle, and tenants looking for a flat or commercial space on fair terms. Hermes Nekretnine connects both sides and manages the whole process.
We help you find a property that fits your budget and location, review lease terms before signing, and follow the handover including a condition report.
Long-term leases are the most common, usually one year with renewal options. Short-term and holiday rentals suit owners seeking higher income with more involvement in guest turnover, we can advise which model fits your property.
Usually one year, with the option to renew by mutual agreement.
Usually one to two months' rent, depending on the agreement and condition of the property.
Yes, with the right categorisation and registration. We can advise whether short-term or long-term is more profitable for your property.
Need a reliable tenant or looking for a rental in Zagreb? Contact Hermes Nekretnine.
Rental income in Croatia is subject to taxation, and the way it is taxed differs depending on whether it is long-term rental of residential or commercial space, or short-term, tourist rental. For long-term residential rental, the owner usually pays a flat-rate tax on rental income, while short-term tourist rental requires business registration and payment of the tourist tax, with its own tax regime depending on the number of beds and the property's classification. We recommend that owners inform themselves about the currently applicable tax obligations before starting to rent out a property, since regulations change from time to time, and we are happy to connect clients with accounting services that specialise in this area.
Whatever model you choose, a properly registered tenancy and a written contract protect both the owner and the tenant, and make it easier to resolve any disputes that may arise during the tenancy.
The choice between short-term (tourist) and long-term rental depends on the property's location, your goals, and your willingness to manage it actively. Short-term rental can generate higher income per day, especially in attractive, tourist-demanded parts of the city, but it requires constant management: communicating with guests, cleaning between stays, occupancy that varies with the season, and greater wear and tear on the property. Long-term rental provides a more stable, predictable income with less operational burden, but usually at a lower monthly yield compared to a well-occupied short-term rental at the peak of the season.
For owners who are unsure which model suits their property, as part of a consultation we analyse the location, property type and your goals, and provide a recommendation based on actual demand data for that part of the city, not on generic estimates.
The rental contract we prepare for our clients includes clearly defined deposit conditions, usually equal to one to two months' rent, which serves as protection against any damage to the property or unpaid bills after the tenant moves out. The contract also precisely defines termination conditions, ongoing maintenance obligations, and who covers the costs of minor repairs during the tenancy. This clarity, established in advance, reduces the possibility of misunderstandings and protects both parties throughout the relationship.
Before signing, we also recommend a detailed property condition report with photographs, which serves as a reference point at handover at the end of the tenancy, avoiding disputes over whether damage occurred before or during the tenancy.
Rental demand varies depending on the property type and the neighbourhood it is in. Smaller apartments near universities and the city centre are traditionally in demand among students and young professionals, while family apartments and houses with a yard attract tenants looking for long-term stability, often in neighbourhoods such as Maksimir or quieter parts of Trešnjevka. Commercial spaces near major roads with good visibility are especially sought after for retail businesses, while office spaces in business zones attract companies looking for practicality and accessibility for employees.
For a more detailed insight into the specifics of individual parts of the city, including which property type dominates in which neighbourhood, see our page Properties by location.
The process begins with an assessment of the realistic market rent for your property, based on current demand and comparable offers in the same neighbourhood. After that, we prepare professional photos and a listing, conduct viewings exclusively with serious, vetted interested parties, and negotiate the terms of the tenancy on your behalf. Once the parties agree, we prepare a rental contract that protects your interests and follow the entire process through to signing and key handover.
Owners who rent out a property without an intermediary often make several recurring mistakes that end up costing them more than the agency's commission. The first is the lack of a thorough tenant check before signing the contract, which increases the risk of late payments or improper use of the property. The second is using a generic, downloaded contract template that doesn't cover the specifics of Croatian legislation or the particular property, leaving the owner without clear legal protection in the event of a dispute. The third common mistake is underpricing or overpricing the rent due to a lack of insight into actual demand in that part of the city, resulting in either an unnecessarily long vacancy period or the loss of good tenants who go to a more competitive offer.
Agency intermediation solves all three problems at once: reliability screening, a legally sound contract, and a realistic, market-based rental price, with much less time and effort required on your part.