What It's Really Like to Rent a House in Bali as a Family

August 22, 2025

When you sign a 12-month lease in Bali, you quickly learn that you’re not just “renting a house” — you’re essentially stepping into the role of caretaker. For us, that’s meant that the day-to-day maintenance is our responsibility, while anything structural stays with the landlord. Honestly, we’ve been lucky — apart from a few dodgy toilet situations and a couple of leaky roof dramas, there hasn’t been much to worry about. And when something does pop up, we’ve got the best tukang (handyman) on speed dial. If you’ve never seen an Indonesian tukang in action, you’re missing out. They rock up in thongs, armed with a single screwdriver, and somehow manage to fix absolutely anything. They’re the plumber, electrician, pool guy, carpenter, and all-round problem solver — rolled into one. Literal magicians. We’re also lucky to have a landlord who steps up when it counts, covering the costs for bigger fixes like the roof and organising the tukang when it’s something structural. While we always let the landlord know and ask before making changes, the reality is that with a long-term lease, you carry a lot of the responsibility anyway. It’s a different style of renting than we were used to back home — but there’s something satisfying about making a place your own, caring for it, and knowing a guy who can fix anything with a smile and a screwdriver. #BaliLife #BaliFamilyFinds #BaliLiving #BaliTips #MovingToBali #BaliRental #BaliWithKids #SanurBali #BaliVillaLife #BaliExpatLife #FamilyTravelBali #BaliHolidayVibes #BaliGuide

Signing a 12-month lease on a house in Bali isn’t just about securing a place to sleep — it’s more like adopting a home. As a family, we quickly learned that renting here carries a unique rhythm: you become both tenant and caretaker, which means embracing the quirks of Bali living. Daily maintenance? That’s on us. Whether it’s gardening, pest control, or making sure the water pump doesn’t call it quits, you're in charge. But when it comes to the bones of the house — think leaky roofs or dodgy pipes — that’s when the landlord (hopefully) steps in. We’ve been fortunate with ours, who sorts out the big stuff and even sends over the local tukang when things go sideways. Speaking of which, every expat family needs a go-to tukang. He’s Bali’s version of a home repair superhero — arriving in flip-flops, gripping a single rusty tool, and somehow able to fix everything from a short-circuited fuse box to a cranky air-con. Plumber, electrician, builder, magician — all rolled into one incredible human. Renting long-term also comes with a sense of pride and, yes, a little ownership. You care for the home like it’s yours, maybe add your touch with local furniture or a veggie patch in the garden. It’s more effort than the lock-and-leave model many are used to, but it also roots you deeper into the island’s everyday way of life. For families thinking of relocating to Bali, especially spots like Sanur, expect a shift in mindset. Renting here isn’t hands-off — but it’s more rewarding. And with a good tukang on your team, you’re in excellent hands. #BaliLife #BaliFamilyFinds #BaliWithKids #BaliLiving #MovingToBali #BaliRental #BaliVillaLife #FamilyTravelBali #SanurBali #BaliExpatLife

#BaliLife#BaliFamilyFinds#BaliLiving#BaliTips#MovingToBali#BaliRental#BaliWithKids#SanurBali#BaliVillaLife#BaliExpatLife#FamilyTravelBali#BaliHolidayVibes#BaliGuide