Lack of apartments for long term rentals is proving to be a growing problem in Dubrovnik. As soon as the summer starts, all tenants have to make room for tourists.
Dubrovnik is the Pearl of the Mediterranean and an absolute gem when it comes to Croatian tourism but every success story also has its downside. Forget about high prices on Stradun, countless articles have already been written about that, besides Total Croatia News already shared tips on how to eat and drink well in Dubrovnik without breaking the bank. On May 3, 2016, we take a look at another growing problem, the lack of long-term rental apartments, at least ones that will not cost you an arm and a leg.
Yes, there are some people that actually come to Dubrovnik to work, study and live, not only as tourists but as soon as the summer approaches, all tenants have to leave and make room for short-term rental guests since everything that can be rented out to tourists is already on AirBnB or Booking.com.
"It's easier to win the lottery than to find a long-term rental in Dubrovnik. I have changed 12 apartments in the last 4 years because I always have to move out by June 15th" one of the people I spoke to commented. "I have to use all available methods to find a new apartment, from classifieds, local media to all my friends and acquaintances. Not to mention that the price I am paying for this one bedroom apartment equals the price of a two or three bedroom apartment in Zadar or Šibenik. Owners of the last apartment I looked at were asking for 2500 kn a month for a 20 square metre studio apartment. You can't even find a room for less than 1500 kn a month" she added.
Even if you decide to go to the outskirts like Župa Dubrovačka, you will still have to pay a handsome amount for a very average two bedroom flat. Dubrovnik is currently offering 15 000 beds in private accommodation and this number is growing almost daily. This lack of long-term rentals is also proving to be a growing problem for all the hotels in Dubrovnik since they cannot find apartments for their workers. There have been many calls for the construction of dorm type accommodation outside the tourist zones of Dubrovnik.
Even with the recent announcement of Dubrovnik mayor Andro Vlahušić that the construction of a new student dorm is underway and planned activation of all city flats that are currently not being used for tourism purposes, it will take years before this problem is any closer to its full resolution. Especially since in the next three to five years new hotels will be built or reconstructed in Župa Dubrovačka and the City of Dubrovnik such as the Kupari complex, Plat and Belvedere, meaning that additional 1000 workers will need accommodation both during construction and after their completion.
Until then, all tenants will simply have to keep their suitcases packed and keep moving every June.
