Phnom Penh is home to a myriad of rental choices fit for any expatriate looking to move into the bustling city. Photo from The View Serviced Residence.
Phnom Penh is the economic heart and political seat of the Kingdom of Cambodia. It is, by far, the most developed in terms of infrastructure and attracts the most expatriates, and quite recently in 2019, the most tourists in the country.
The city is at the forefront of Cambodia’s fast-growing economy and it only follows that many expatriates come to Phnom Penh to live and work. If you’re an expat yourself, then this Expat Rental Guide will help you figure out how to find the best expat rentals in Phnom Penh.
This guide will answer the following questions you need to know as you go along looking for rentals in Phnom Penh:
- How much does it cost to rent in Phnom Penh?
- What’s the best property for an expat to rent in Phnom Penh?
- What amenities can I expect from Phnom Penh rentals?
- Where are the best areas to rent in Phnom Penh?
- What should I keep in mind before renting in Phnom Penh?
How much does it cost to rent in Phnom Penh?
The total cost of expat rentals in Phnom Penh can be as low as US $400 a month (rent + utilities) to upwards of $2,000 depending on the type of property, number of beds, amenities & services, and of course, location.
So, what makes up for this total cost? Let’s find out:
Monthly Rent in Phnom Penh
Monthly rent in Phnom Penh for a 1-bedroom can start from $200 to upwards of $1000 a month depending on the property, amenities available (or lack thereof) and location. It should go without saying that the starting price goes up the more bedrooms there are.
Location matters significantly in Phnom Penh and the closer a rental is to central areas like Daun Penh and BKK1, the higher its price is going to be. But there are always exceptions to the rule - and our team is on standby to help you find those hidden gems for rent in Phnom Penh:
Rental Deposit in Phnom Penh
Rental deposits in Phnom Penh are the equivalent of 1 to 2 months of rent depending on the landlord. There’s no fixed rule regarding rental deposits so this will depend entirely on the landlord.
Utilities Cost in Phnom Penh
Of course, rental costs don’t stop at the rental per month. Utilities such as electricity and water factor into any renter’s monthly costs.
When it comes to electricity, apartment rentals in Phnom Penh usually charge 1,000 KHR (0.25 cents US) per kilowatt-hour. Yes, electricity is relatively more expensive compared to Thailand and Vietnam so best cut unnecessary consumption!
On the other hand, water is relatively cheap in Phnom Penh rentals. Apartments usually charge anywhere from 0.30 - 0.60 cents US per cubic metre while most others do not even charge at all.
It’s important to mention that some apartments in Phnom Penh are classified as serviced apartments. Places like these offer hotel-like services - of varying degrees - to their tenants. These often charge “management fees” ranging from $1 to $2 per square metre to cover maintenance of common areas like lobbies, elevators, and swimming pools. Management fees are usually charged by high-end rentals like Silvertown Metropolitan and many other serviced apartments in Phnom Penh.
Rental Taxes
There is a withholding tax of 14% for rental properties in Cambodia. However, it is common practice for landlords to cover this.
What are the best properties to rent for expats in Phnom Penh?
Expatriates are free to rent any residential property in Cambodia, be it apartments, shophouses, linked houses or even big villas. So, let's take a look at what are the best properties to rent for expatriates:
Apartment/Condo
Western-style apartments with modern amenities and generous spaces are easy to find in Phnom Penh. Photo from Silvertown Metropolitan.
Starting rental prices:
- $200 for 1-bedroom apartment
- $300 for 2-bedroom apartment
- $400 for 3-bedroom apartment
*Prices above are based on live listings on Realestate.com.kh
Apartments are a common choice for many expatriates living in Phnom Penh. They offer modern amenities & services and are often located in busy urban areas where expatriates can easily access staple urban comforts like supermarkets, malls, shops and restaurants.
Houses
There are plenty of landed homes available for foreign rental occupancy in Phnom Penh. Supplied.
Starting rental price:
- $250 for 1-bedroom house
- $350 for 2-bedroom house
- $400 for 3-bedroom house
*Prices above are based on live listings on Realestate.com.kh
Foreigners may not be able to directly own landed property, but they can rent/lease them. There are landed properties for rent in Phnom Penh such as shophouses, townhouses, villas and linked houses. While there are landed homes available for rent in central districts, they are fewer and are significantly more expensive compared to a wider selection in semi-central/outer districts of the city.
What amenities can I expect from Phnom Penh rentals?
Looking for a view of the city by the pool? Look no further. Photo from Silvertown Metropolitan.
Many apartments/houses for rent in Phnom Penh come fully furnished and equipped, as one would expect from a modern rental apartment. This includes refrigerators, a stove, water heater, air conditioning, dining table/chairs, bed(s) and a lot of other quality-of-life inclusions. Check out our complete guide on amenities to expect in Cambodian rentals:
Where are the best areas to rent in Phnom Penh?
When looking for rentals as an expatriate, it’s important to take into account what one looks to do and, of course, budget. But let’s assume those are settled and you’re just looking at where to start. We’ve listed down below the best areas for expatriates to live in.
Daun Penh
Daun Penh is the de facto Central Business District (CBD) of Phnom Penh. It is the most developed area of the capital city and is where most multinational companies operating in Cambodia are found. Despite its modern facade, this district showcases plenty of Cambodia’s cultural and historical attractions such as the Royal Palace and the French colonial houses along Riverside - a popular tourist spot in the city.
If you have the budget and wish to live where plenty of expatriates hang out, then Daun Penh is worth looking into.
Chamkarmon
Chamkarmon is a south-central district in Phnom Penh where a lot of new developments are rising. Tonle Bassac and the Russian Market area (Toul Tompoung) are popular rental areas for expatriates as these subdistricts offer the same urban conveniences as Daun Penh without the associated price tags. The district is popular among locals, expatriates and tourists and is where AEON Mall can be found and where the popular tourist stop of Russian Market is found.
If you’re looking for a place with urban convenience with plenty of charm, Chamkarmon should be on the top of your list.
Boeung Keng Kang (BKK)
The Boeung Keng Kang district (BKK) is a relatively new district in Phnom Penh. Formerly part of Chamkarmon, it comprised the portion of the district next to Daun Penh CBD. Given its location, the BKK area shares much of the urban conveniences Daun Penh has while retaining the charms of Chamkarmon. The BKK1 subdistrict is where most international schools, embassies, foreign brand shops and restaurants, and a growing number of modern condos and office buildings are popping up.
If you’re looking to live in one of Phnom Penh’s busiest areas, then the Boeung Keng Kang district is something worth looking at.
Things to consider before renting in Phnom Penh
When signing on the dotted line for rental properties, small very important details are oftentimes overlooked. But you should remember that your final lease agreement might not include many important elements that will ultimately make or break a rental agreement. You can check out our guide on a rental checklist worth going over before signing any lease!
As mentioned in the first part of this guide, the capital city is at the forefront of a fast-growing property market. There’s a myriad of rental choices available and any expatriate looking to move to Phnom Penh can find something that meets their needs with just a few clicks below:
Article by:
Comments