Upon completion of mass privatization of public housing in Serbia, it is a general attitude, both of the government and the citizens, that the only decent way of living is to own an apartment, and this is why the state strongly encourages purchase of apartments. This concept, completely opposite to any developed housing policy, has resulted in situation in which majority of the households with unsolved housing need doesn't have a chance to solve itsr problem in an adequate and dignified manner. It is estimated that in Serbia about 20% of the population in cities live in rented apartements. This part of housing market is informal and can be described as grey economy, while the legal security is not provided neither to tenants nor to landlords. 
 

Developed countries in their policies equally importantly treat both basic tenancy forms - rental and owner-occupied, thus offering housing options for every social group. Therefore, there is a necessity in Serbia to affirm values of rental housing and radically improve the relevant legal and institutional frameworks. This will directly help poverty reduction, social cohesion, economic growth, including even the overall development of the state.

 

This publication gives a basic insight into the concepts that characterize the field of rental housing, the most common misconceptions and characteristic problems of this sector in Serbia, with the aim to show the principal directions for its regulation and improvement.