 
A high demand for rental residential estates in suburbs continues.
The first residential complexes for rent in the Moscow region appeared in the early 90s. Today, there are about 30 residential communities in the region containing 500 houses for rent. Moscow suburban areas are generally considered more peaceful and less polluted than the downtown districts. However, renting out-of-town homes usually translates into significantly longer commuting times. Realtors agree that for single people it pays to rent an apartment that is closer to the Moscow"s center, while for married couples with children a quiet suburban neighborhood can compensate for the commuting hassles. Many renters of Moscow suburban cottages and villas are expatriates and professionals who come to the capital from Russian regions; usually they are employees of big corporations. Agents say the growing demand for suburban rental units in the Moscow region is connected with a strong growth of the economy, which encourages new-comers to live and work in the Russian capital, and to some extent with the increasing number of well-off tenants with a "western mentality" who prefer life in peaceful suburbs to the bustle of the central districts. According to the Usadba real estate agency, the demand for suburban rental homes has doubled in the last two years. Realtors say that Russian tenants usually do not mind renting privately owned detached suburban cottages, while foreigners prefer homes in residential complexes, or in other words, gated communities populated primarily by expats. "Most of the expatriates are interested in long-term rent in Moscow suburbs. Frequently, western companies opt for preleasing contracts with developers," says Vyacheslav Timerbulatov, vice president of the Konti Group. The growing preleasing activity can be explained by a deficit of modern residential compounds for rent. Today, a renter"s request for a 400-1,000 sq m house with a large ground area in a safe residential complex not far from Moscow cannot be rapidly fulfilled. Experts estimate the demand in this sector exceeds the supply three times, and clients often wait two-three months to occupy a rental property in the desired residential area. The most popular price category among the tenants of suburban cottages is $3,000-6,000 per month. Rental costs average $8,000-50,000, although records of $100,000 are not unheard of. The price is influenced by the complex"s infrastructure and the surroundings. The availability of schools, sports centers, or shops on site can make up to 20% of the rent cost, while proximity to a pond or a forest can double the rent. Residential complexes for rent are usually built in the traditionally "elite" areas like Rublyovo-Uspenskoye, Novorizhskoye highways. Rublyovo-Uspenskoye highway boasts rich infrastructure, status and prestige that no other area can compete with. Novorizhskoye highway"s popularity among suburban renters is growing due to better transport accessibility. However, realtors stress that foreigners have specific criteria for their rental preferences. "Expats are not influenced by Moscow trends in real estate," states Petra Goddard, director of Brokerage Services IntermarkSavills. "The two most important factors for expatriates are commuting time to work, and schooling for their children. Also, the expats who do make a decision to live out of the city are looking for a western quality of life. In general, expatriates make up the majority of clients seeking to rent in residential compounds. Rosinka and Pokrovsky Hills are the most sought after due to the schools on site. Chaika has also increased in popularity. Occasionally, you can find an expatriate who will move to a certain out-of-town location, such as Istra or Krasnogorsk due to proximity to work." Agents agree that in particular the most popular housing compounds with excellent reputation as a rule have waiting lists. The chances of prompt renting in new complexes are significantly higher. Despite the reputation, suburban rents are more restrictive in their terms. Two-three years ago one could rent a cottage for three-four months; today, such conditions are not available. "Each residential compound has its own strategy. However, in my opinion, the rental period profitable for an owner should exceed twelve months," says Ivan Shulkov, Usadba"s director of investment consulting and analytics department. "Given the recent increase of property values, the rental returns are not very high." Although realtors do not promise that the gap between demand and supply for rentals in suburban compounds will be bridged soon, premises for such a turning point are being created now. "The developers are increasingly interested in residential compounds set for rent," says Alexandra Kosareva, head of Soho realty rent department. "The growing popularity in such projects can be explained by interest in long-term investment and to some degree by saturation of the selling market for suburban villas. Investors stake on the growing demand in the future."
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