Housing in Latvia (mājoklis)

Most newcomers rent privately under the Residential Tenancy Law (Dzīvojamo telpu īres likums). Your municipality's social service (sociālais dienests) pays the housing benefit and rents out social flats; families buying a home can get a state guarantee from Altum. Norms differ between municipalities; the examples are for Riga.

Renting: your lease (īres līgums)

• The only legal basis for renting is a written lease for a fixed term, stating the address, term, rent, services and the people living with you.
• Rent can be changed during the lease only if the lease sets the conditions for doing so.
• Deposit (drošības nauda): at most 2 months' rent. Unless the lease says otherwise, the unused part is returned by the day you move out.
• Ending the lease: you can leave with at least one month's written notice. The landlord can end it early only on grounds set by law, for example rent arrears above two months' rent, damage to the flat, or demolition of the building, and only after written notice (one month for rent arrears).
• Land Register (zemesgrāmata): a lease can be registered free of court fees. If it is not registered and the flat is sold, the new owner is not bound by it and can ask you to leave within two months.

Housing benefit (mājokļa pabalsts)

• A means-tested municipal benefit for rent, management fees, utilities and internet. You need a lease (if you rent) and a declared residence in that municipality; there is no minimum period of residence.
• Formula: the guaranteed minimum income thresholds of your household (€187 for the first person, €131 for each other person, 2026) multiplied by a coefficient (1.3 for most households; 1.7 or 2.1 for pensioners and people with disabilities), plus your housing costs up to the municipal norms, minus household income. It is granted for 3 months at a time, or 6 months if nobody in the household is of working age.
• Riga norms (2026): for example 32 m² for one person and 18 m² for each additional person, and rent or management costs up to €8 per m² for a home up to 32 m².

Social housing and buying a home

• Social flats (sociālie dzīvokļi): for low-income people in specific groups, such as pensioners or people with a group I or II disability living alone, and families with a child with a disability; municipalities may add groups. The rent is reduced and the municipality covers part of the utility costs.
• Altum guarantee for families with children: lets families take a bank mortgage with a down payment as low as 5%, for homes up to €300,000 (2026 conditions). In Riga the guarantee can reach 10% to 30% of the loan (at most €10,000 to €30,000), depending on the number of children. It is open to Latvian citizens, non-citizens, stateless persons and EU/EEA/Swiss citizens (or where the children hold such a status).

Common pitfalls for newcomers

• Never pay without a written lease: without one you cannot claim housing benefit.
• Ask whether the lease is registered in the Land Register, or register it yourself, especially for a long stay.
• Keep receipts for the deposit and every payment.
• Declare your residence at the rented address. Social services and kindergarten places depend on it.

Official guidance: Residential Tenancy Law, Ministry of Welfare: housing benefit, Law on Assistance in Solving Apartment Matters, Altum: housing guarantee for families, Riga City Council Welfare Department