Private homes were not paid for with foreign US dollar loans, like the big apartment towers probably were, so a rupiah payment should be acceptable to the owner in today's economic conditions. Bargain vigorously to protect the financial interests of your sponsoring company and to prevent inflationary pressures in the prices of houses rented to expats. The lowering costs of house rentals is a welcome relief for foreign investors who must cover high living costs for their expatriate staff. The Jakarta Post Classifieds has many listings for houses and apartments, either offered by brokers or direct from owners and property management firms. Be cautious when calling listings in the newspaper as it s difficult to determine the background and reliability of the persons representing the houses.
Most listings are from independent brokers.
Utilizing an independent broker, you have little legal recourse or professional representation in the lease negotiation process, such as you would have through professional corporate housing services or a real estate brokerage service. While you can t expect to find your new home on a familiarization trip, you could at least become more knowledgeable about what Indonesian homes are like and what your preferences may be. Better yet, you will have a feel for which brokerage service you will want to use when you actually start your search. Once you ve made that decision, you can keep in touch with them in the months prior to your arrival and they can short-list potentially suitable homes before you arrive. Finding a house in Jakarta can be a long series of hassles or a pleasant, professionally organized adventure.