Finding an Apartment in Malé

Finding suitable accommodation is obviously a top concern for anyone moving to a new city. Malé is a densely crowded city and quality apartments are in short supply. Finding a house with a garden/courtyard can prove to be very expensive – so a flat in an apartment building is your best bet.

In all likelihood, your employer will assist you in finding an apartment in Malé. If you’re single and working in a travel agency/hospitality company, chances are you’ll share accommodation with a couple of colleagues. If you’re coming with family, you’ll be guided towards 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments.

However, if finding a place to stay is your own responsibility, try the websites below:

• http://www.ibay.com.mv/apartments-houses-for-rent-b25_0.html
• http://www.e-apartments-for-rent.com/MV/x/Male.aspx
• http://www.pathcity.com/flatrent-Male-in-Male/
• http://premv.com/

My husband and I found our apartment through iBay. The particulars were handled by the company and we have the apartment on a company lease – I recommend this for anyone who can manage it, as the hassles of payment, paperwork and currency will not fall on your shoulders! If a listing on a website catches your eye, give the listed number a call, set up a time and go see it. 

Here are a few things to look out for when you’re looking to rent a place in Malé :

• Are the bedrooms large enough? Many builders try to squeeze in an extra bedroom to up the value of the place. If they’re too small, keep looking!
• Are there functional geysers/air conditioners?
• Are there enough plug points?
• Is there a gas connection?
• Garbage pickup and security are typically included in the rent amount. Negotiate this into your agreement.
• If the flat is already furnished and you need something more/want to change something, request your landlord to do so. Some of them will oblige.
• Check whether the water in the bathrooms is “clean” or well-water. The latter can give your loo a weird smell.
• Check all taps, flushes and switches. One of the taps in our bathroom came out in my hand when I tried to use it! The landlord should fix anything that’s not working before you move in.
• See if the bathroom and kitchen fixtures meet your requirements. Towel racks, shelves, toilet roll holders, etc. Ask the landlord to add anything that’s missing.
• See the apartment in the day – is there enough light and ventilation? Lots of windows mean lots of fresh air, especially if you or your spouse/kids are going to be home during the day.
• Check whether you need to pay the electricity and water bills yourself, or if the landlord will do it and you will pay him. Put a system in place to avoid unpleasantness later.
• What currency are you expected to make payments in?
• Can the landlord recommend or help you with the cable and internet connections if you want them?

If your ideal home means serenity, space and silence, you may want to explore options in Hulhumalé, a reclaimed island meant to ease the real-estate pressure in the capital city. The island is a short 20-minute boat ride away from Malé, and is home to a number of expats. Regular ferries operate between the two islands from 6 AM to 11 PM. A one-way ride costs MVR 5 (approx. USD .32 or 32 cents). Speedboats are also around for those in a hurry – although these leave more sporadically.

The upsides of staying in Hulhumalé: The island is more organised, cleaner and more spacipus than Malé. There’s a lovely accessible beach. Rents are lower and you could stay in a bungalow for the kind of money you would spend on a small apartment in Malé. You also have linked to the international airport island through a direct link road.

The downsides of living in Hulhumalé: It may be TOO quiet for some. Also, if your work is in Malé, you’ll have to take a boat to and back from the city every day. Remember, you also have to get to and back from the jetty at both ends! Also, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many places to shop and eat out. All the hustle-bustle of city life is in Malé.