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Introduction
Bali draws people who want to stay longer than a holiday. Long term rentals in Bali give you a real home for months or a year, without buying property or tying up your savings.
This guide is for expats, remote workers, relocating families, and first-time buyers weighing their options. We wrote it as a plain-language explainer, not a sales page.
You will learn what long-term rentals cost, how leases and deposits work, and which areas suit different lifestyles. We also cover whether foreigners can rent legally, and how renting compares with a leasehold or a purchase. At Uluwatu Property, we have spent 10+ years matching people with homes across the Uluwatu area.
Key Takeaways
- Cost: Monthly asking prices start around IDR 15 to 21 million for a one-bedroom villa, varying by area, size, and negotiation.
- Monthly vs yearly: Monthly leases stay flexible; yearly leases are usually paid upfront at a lower effective rate.
- Deposits and contracts: Expect a deposit and a written agreement, called a Perjanjian Sewa, that protects you if the owner sells.
- Legality: Foreigners can rent in their own name, but you still need the right visa to stay long-term.
- Best areas: Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, Sanur, and the quieter Uluwatu and Bukit coast each suit a different lifestyle.
- Rent vs leasehold: Renting is a low-risk way to test an area before you commit to a leasehold or purchase.
What Are Long Term Rentals in Bali?
A long-term rental in Bali is a private lease of a villa, house, or apartment for an extended stay. It is set up as a monthly or yearly agreement. Rates are far lower per night than holiday stays, and the arrangement is a tenancy, not ownership.
Short-term or holiday rentals are booked by the night for tourists. A long-term rental is your home base, so you sign a longer contract and often furnish little or nothing.
Demand is easy to explain. In 2024, according to Bali's Central Bureau Statistics (BPS), 6.33 million international arrivals chose Bali as their ultimate destination.
From a renter's viewpoint, this matters in a simple way. Good long-term homes get taken quickly, so it helps to know the market before you arrive.
Why Long Term Rentals Are in High Demand
Demand for long term rentals in Bali is year-round, not seasonal. Remote workers and relocating families keep steady pressure on quality long-term homes, which keeps good inventory competitive.
Official data supports the trend. According to Bali's Central Bureau Statistics (BPS) official occupancy data, the room occupancy rate for star hotels in July 2024 was recorded at 68.78 percent. That was an increase of 5.18 points year on year.
Read that number carefully. It measures star-hotel occupancy, not villa occupancy, so treat it as a broad demand signal rather than a rental-market rate.
For you, the takeaway is practical. In our experience, the best-priced homes move fast, so start your search early and be ready to decide.
How Long Term Rentals Work: Leases, Terms, and Costs
Long term rentals in Bali follow a few simple patterns. Once you know them, the listings and contracts are easy to read.
Below we break down lease length, prices by area, what furnishing includes, and how deposits and agreements work.
Monthly vs Yearly Leases
Monthly leases keep you flexible. They carry a higher per-month rate, and minimum terms of one to three months are common.
Yearly leases cost less per month, but landlords usually ask for the full year paid upfront. This suits people who are sure of their area and want the best rate.
Key point: Choose monthly if you are still scouting, and yearly once you have settled on a neighborhood.
What You'll Pay: Price Ranges by Area
Prices depend on area, size, and how new the villa is. Treat every figure below as an advertised starting price that varies by size, condition, and negotiation.
Bali Home Immo's monthly rental prices by area list 1-bedroom villas from around IDR 15,600,000 per month in Seminyak and IDR 17,500,000 in Canggu. Uluwatu and Umalas range from IDR 21,000,000 upward.
Again, these are advertised starting prices that vary by size, condition, and negotiation.
Furnished vs Unfurnished and What's Included
Most long-term villas for expats come fully furnished. You can move in with suitcases and little else.
All-inclusive packages often bundle pool and garden care, cleaning, and WiFi. Electricity is usually billed separately, so ask for a recent bill before you sign.
Key point: Confirm in writing what the rent covers, especially electricity, which can rise sharply with heavy air-conditioning use.
Deposits and Rental Agreements
Landlords typically ask for a deposit, often one to two months of rent, returned at the end if the villa is undamaged.
A compliant rental agreement, called a Perjanjian Sewa, should name both parties, the term, the rent, the deposit, and what happens if the owner sells. It should also state any limits on subletting or Airbnb use.
We run a full legal due diligence process before you commit, so the contract and ownership are checked in advance.
Can Foreigners Rent Long Term in Bali? Visas and Legalities
Yes, foreigners can rent a home in Bali in their own name. Renting is far simpler than owning, because you are not buying land or title.
You still need a visa that lets you stay long-term. One common route is the Remote Worker Visa (E33G), as detailed by immigration firm Fragomen.
Effective April 1, 2024, the government of Indonesia implemented the Remote Worker Visa (E33G) program. It lets eligible foreign nationals reside in Indonesia while working remotely for their home employer. The stay lasts up to one year, subject to renewal for another year, with a minimum annual income of at least USD 60,000.
Many long-stay residents also hold a KITAS, a temporary stay permit tied to work, family, or investment. KITAS stands for Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas.
This is general information. Verify current visa rules at the official Indonesian immigration site and seek independent legal advice.
If you plan to rent your villa out later, learn how to rent out property in Bali legally before you list it.
Best Areas for Long Term Rentals in Bali
Each area has its own rhythm. Here is a quick guide to help you shortlist.
- Canggu: Busy remote-worker hub with cafes, coworking, and beach clubs; great for social nomads.
- Seminyak: Central and polished, with dining and shopping; convenient but pricier and denser.
- Ubud: Green, quiet, and inland; suits yoga, nature, and slower routines.
- Sanur: Calm and family-friendly, with a gentle beachfront and an easy pace.
- Uluwatu / Bukit: Surf, clifftops, and space; quieter, with sub-areas like Bingin, Ungasan, and Balangan.
The Uluwatu area is our home turf. If you want clifftop calm near world-class surf, explore our villas in Uluwatu to see what long-term living looks like there.
How to Find a Long Term Rental (and Avoid Scams)
You can find long term rentals in Bali through an agent or directly from an owner. An agent saves time and adds a layer of checks; going direct can be cheaper but puts the due diligence on you.
Always view the villa in person or by video before you pay anything. Meet the owner or a verified representative, and confirm who legally controls the property.
Watch for these red flags:
- No written contract: Any landlord who avoids a signed Perjanjian Sewa is a serious risk.
- Pressure to prepay: Being rushed to wire a full year to an unverified account is a classic scam.
- No proof of ownership: If nobody can show title or authority to lease, walk away.
- Vague utilities: Unclear terms on electricity and fees often hide surprise costs.
To start safely, browse Bali property listings that have already been vetted for details and status.
Renting vs Leasehold vs Buying: Which Is Right for You?
Renting, leasing, and buying solve different problems. Here is how they compare for a foreigner in Bali.
Renting keeps you flexible and ties up little capital. A leasehold gives you longer control of a property for a large upfront cost.
Foreigners cannot hold freehold title, known as Hak Milik. As Exotiq Property's guide on foreign ownership rules explains, a leasehold (Hak Sewa) is the most common route for foreigners buying Bali villas or land.
Hak Sewa means a right to use for a fixed term. Typical Bali leases run about 25 to 30 years.
To go deeper on terms and costs, read our explainer on leasehold property in Bali.
Long-term renting is a smart test. Live in an area for a season before you commit money to a leasehold or purchase.
If you plan to earn income, look at the numbers with care. Industry estimates from InvestLandBali put Bali rental yields at 7% to 12% in 2026, which are not independently audited, so individual results vary.
The rental model also shapes returns. Airbtics' short-term rental market data counts 38,640 active Airbnb listings, a 63% median occupancy rate, and about USD 90 average nightly rate across Bali.
Investors who want to hold property and rights often set up a PT PMA, a foreign-owned Indonesian company. We help buyers weigh this on our invest in Uluwatu page.
When you are ready to compare renting with owning in detail, our Bali property investment strategies guide walks through the full picture.
FAQ
How Much Does a Long-Term Rental in Bali Cost?
Advertised starting prices for a furnished one-bedroom villa begin near IDR 15,600,000 monthly in Seminyak and IDR 21,000,000 upward in Uluwatu. These are starting prices that vary by size, condition, and negotiation.
Is Monthly or Yearly Rental Cheaper?
Yearly leases are usually cheaper per month because landlords give a lower effective rate for full upfront payment. Monthly leases cost more each month but keep you flexible.
How Big Is a Typical Deposit?
Deposits are commonly one to two months of rent, refunded at the end of the term if the villa is left undamaged.
Can Foreigners Rent Legally in Bali?
Yes, foreigners can rent in their own name, but you still need a valid long-stay visa such as a KITAS or the E33G. This is general information, so verify current rules with Indonesian immigration and seek independent legal advice.
Which Area Is Best for Long-Term Living?
Canggu suits social remote workers, Ubud suits quiet nature lovers, Sanur suits families, and Uluwatu suits surfers who want clifftop calm. Pick the area that matches your daily routine, then shortlist villas there.
Should I Rent or Take a Leasehold?
Rent first if you are still choosing an area or want flexibility, and consider a leasehold once you are ready to commit for years. Renting is a low-risk way to test a neighborhood before you lease or buy.
Conclusion
Long term rentals in Bali reward a little planning. Know your budget, choose an area that fits your routine, pick the right lease length, and confirm your visa and contract.
Renting also buys you time. You can live in a neighborhood, learn its rhythm, and only then decide whether a leasehold or purchase makes sense.
At Uluwatu Property, we guide renters, leaseholders, and buyers across the Uluwatu area with on-the-ground detail and plain-language advice. We help you match a home to how you want to live, earn, and build value.
Contact Uluwatu Property
Ready to find a long-term home or weigh renting against a leasehold? Tell us your budget, timeline, and preferred area, and we will send tailored options and honest guidance. Contact us today
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