Rents end up being half of the salary. Real estate experts say that there will be price increases in the next period as well

Romanians spend a large part of their monthly income on rent. They have become more expensive in the last year, on average by 20%. This is how the people of Brasov ended up paying more than half of the average salary to live in rent, in a 2-room apartment. Real estate experts say that rents will continue to rise in the coming period, although the market is registering a return of interest in the purchase of housing.

Thomas is in his first year in Psychology. He lives in Bucharest with rent and considers himself lucky that his parents help him with the monthly expenses. It costs 300 euros only for accommodation.

I would not survive on the minimum wage in the economy. I couldn’t handle it. The average salary would be another discussion, but also in that case strictly the necessary expenses.

And he is not the only one in this situation.

At an average salary, it is quite a lot. I pay less than the market, but it is quite a lot. I can handle. I don’t go out weekly.

Rents have risen by 20% in the last year alone, and wage increases have not been able to keep up with these increases.

Mădălina Chiţu, TVR journalist: The residents of Brasov are left without at least half of their salary, after paying the rent for a 2-room apartment. Those who rent in Cluj-Napoca give the owner 45% of the earnings. Instead, Timișoara remains the most affordable city from the perspective of income versus rent. There, only a third of the income goes in this direction.

However, for many, rent remains an option, at the expense of a mortgage loan.

Daniel Crainic, marketing director, real estate platform: As early as 2022, with the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, we saw a decrease in interest on the sale. We have seen very high inflation and interest rates at a level we have never seen before.

However, there were investors who bought dozens of apartments just to rent them out.

Dan Duţă, real estate agent: Not many homes were delivered in the last year and, certainly, the rents will increase in the next period. Next, the studios are the most sought after.

Rents have started to rise since 2019, across the European Union, according to Eurostat data. In countries such as Hungary, Estonia, Luxembourg or Austria, the price increases exceed 150%.