When renting an apartment in the free sector, it is imperative to clearly define your selection criteria to be effective in your search.
1/ First of all, the desired living area. There are in fact several districts in Monaco which each have their own specificities.
The Carré d’Or, the center of the principality with its historical monuments, the casino, its luxury boutiques and starred michelin restaurants offering a high-end lifestyle.
Larvotto / Larousse, Located above the beaches of the Larvotto reserve, it is very popular with families and the rest of the residents for its many restaurants, its promenade, its beaches and numerous shops. There are mainly buildings from the 1970s.
Monte-Carlo, refers to the edge of the Carré d’or. Often considered more affordable, it is appreciated by residents for being close to the center and entertainment without being in permanent confusion. Many companies have set up their headquarters in this area for ease of access and space.
Jardin Exotique / Moneghetti, more affordable than the center of the principality, these two neighborhoods are often popular with families for their tranquility. The principality’s various public elevators provide access to the center in just a few minutes. There are modern and high-end buildings like the Exotique, Le Simona or Monte Carlo View but also older building complexes with swimming pool (Patio palace) as well as tennis and gym (Les Ligures).
Mare Terra, an offshore extension delivered in 2025, this community space among the most luxurious in the world combines nature with modern urbanization. The wish of the princely government was to build large apartments and villas to satisfy a demand from the world elite in harmony with nature and carried out by the architects Denis Valode (architect of the Generali Tower and Air France HQ in Paris), Renzo Piano (Shard in London / Pompidou Museum in Paris) and Michel Desvigne (landscape designer of Notre Dame in Paris, Tokyo Otemachi and Larvotto promenade in Monaco).
Fontvieille, a popular district, contains offices, a few factories and housing complexes. The Fontvieille slab is a group of several buildings on the edge of the marina offering a peaceful setting with a swimming pool. There is also the coveted Avenue des Ligures leading to the heliport with the most luxurious buildings such as the Memmo, Les Terrasses du Port, the Seaside and Palazzo Leaonardo.
With one of the largest management portfolios in the Principality, the Ambassadors Agency can offer you properties in all areas ranging from low-cost studios to the most luxurious Penthouses or individual houses.
2/ Once the neighborhood has been targeted, the client must think about allocating a budget for its rental. It will allow one of our negotiators to offer goods in the desired price category. He will thus direct the client towards a building of more or less high standard or bourgeois with suitable services. Budget is often seen as the determining factor that will impact others.
3/ Being on the French Riviera, a view of the Mediterranean Sea is often requested. This criterion, often at the top of the list, is accompanied by an increase in the price of a property compared to a similar apartment with a pleasant view but where the sea is absent.
4/ Some customers pay particular attention to the general condition of the apartment. It is true that a bathroom or kitchen that is too damaged or old can be an obstacle to renting, however customers can ignore it to the extent that the other criteria are met or an agreement reached with the owners for improvements.
5/ Rental leases drawn up in the principality are often established for one year in the free sector with a notice of departure of 3 months. This is why a search for new accommodation will encounter more proposals when it is made within 3 months before the planned entry date. The availability of a property is therefore also an essential criterion to consider.
Monaco remains a small territory of 2.1 km2, with a population of 37,000 inhabitants. This is why this market cannot be compared to others such as Paris, Hong Kong or New York and the client will potentially be called upon to compromise to have the privilege of residing in the principality.
Once the apartment has been selected, the standard costs for rental in the principality must be considered by the lessee, they are as follows:
Our real estate agency will prepare the rental lease and schedule an appointment to take stock of the premises, which is the responsibility of the tenant upon arrival.
The balance of the rental will finally be required and the lease signed then registered by the princely government. Your real estate agent will finally take care of settling the last details such as home insurance, handing over the keys, electricity with SMEG.
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