Smart Cat Apartments & Contracts
Can I declare my official residence (Deklarācija) for my visa or TRP?
Yes! All Smart Cat Apartments come with a legally binding Latvian lease agreement. We provide the full property cadastral number and owner authorization required for international students to declare residence at the PMLP office or via Latvija.gov.lv.
Are the lease agreements provided in English?
Yes, all leases are structured as bilingual agreements (Latvian & English). This ensures complete clarity for non-Latvian speakers while maintaining 100% compliance with local residential property laws.
What is the security deposit and when is it returned?
Security deposits equal 1 month's rent. Deposits are held securely throughout your stay and returned directly to your bank account within 14 days of lease termination and room handover.
Can I reserve an apartment online before arriving in Riga?
Absolutely. Most of our international tenants reserve remotely. You can review photo galleries, verify details, digitally sign your lease agreement, and transfer the deposit to lock in your apartment prior to travel.
Utilities, Heating & Costs
How do heating bills and winter utilities work in Riga?
In Latvia, central heating operates from mid-October through April. Summer utilities (water, electricity, waste, Wi-Fi) average ~€60–€80/month, while winter bills average ~€120–€150/month depending on city heating tariffs and building insulation.
Is high-speed Wi-Fi included in the rent?
Yes, fast fiber-optic Wi-Fi tailored for study and streaming is pre-installed in all our studios and flatshares so you can connect immediately upon arrival.
Are there any agency commission fees?
Zero agency fees! You rent directly from the management team at Smart Cat Apartments, meaning no hidden finder fees or third-party commissions.
Erasmus & Student Mobility
Do you offer flexible 5-month leases for Erasmus students?
Yes! We understand that mobility semesters run for autumn (Sept–Jan) or spring (Feb–June). We offer 5-month semester contracts tailored specifically to Erasmus schedules without requiring long-term 12-month commitments.
Can I apply together with a friend?
Yes! If you are traveling with classmates or exchange friends, notify us early during your inquiry. We can assign adjacent rooms in the same apartment building or multi-bedroom flatshares.
Are the apartments fully furnished?
Every room and studio comes fully furnished with a bed, study desk, wardrobe, chairs, lamps, and kitchen appliances. You only need to bring your personal items and bedding.
Life in Central Riga
How does public transport work in Riga?
Riga has an efficient public network of trams, trolleybuses, and buses run by Rīgas Satiksme. Students receive a 50% discount on monthly public transport passes (~€15/month) using their student card (ISIC).
What shops and amenities are nearby?
Living in Central Riga means supermarkets (Rimi, Maxima), pharmacies, banks, specialty coffee shops, gym facilities, and bakeries are within a 2- to 5-minute walk from your front door.
Do I need to speak Latvian to live in Riga?
No. English is widely spoken among younger locals, university staff, and service workers in Central Riga. However, learning basic phrases like Sveiki (Hello) and Paldies (Thank you) is always appreciated!