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Renting an apartment by the month and letting it by the day can bring losses as well as income. Landlords interviewed for a Channel 31 report, summarised by Informburo.kz, estimate that daily rentals can generate profits of 150,000–300,000 tenge for a one-room apartment in a good month. However, the report does not specify whether these figures concern owned or rented properties, or whether rent paid to an owner has been deducted. They should therefore not be treated as confirmed net earnings from subletting.
How much can one apartment earn in a good month?
According to Informburo.kz’s account of the Channel 31 report, landlords estimate profits in a good month as follows:
- One-room apartment — 150,000–300,000 tenge.
- Two-room apartment — 200,000–450,000 tenge.
These are participants’ estimates for favourable months, rather than guaranteed monthly returns. The report warns that the low season can bring losses. It also leaves the ownership arrangement and the treatment of rent payments unclear, limiting how useful the figures are for someone planning to sublet.
What does a separate report show?
In a separate Tengri Home interview, an Astana realtor identified as Kuanysh R. described letting his own apartment by the day. He reported around 18–20 occupied nights in a normal month and average monthly net income of approximately 230,000–250,000 tenge.
This is one owner’s experience, not a market average or a subletting result. Discussing subletting separately, he warned that paying an owner 220,000–250,000 tenge a month, alongside operating expenses, would leave a very narrow margin.
Which costs eat into daily rental income?
Subletting means renting someone else’s apartment and then letting it to other tenants. Under this arrangement, rent paid to the owner is an additional expense alongside the cost of maintaining and operating the property. In the Channel 31 report, landlord Oksana Shevchenko warns that this payment can make the business unprofitable.
Other expenses include cleaning, laundry, utilities and supplies. Property damage can also create unexpected costs. Money received from guests is therefore not the same as profit: a high nightly rate alone does not show how much will remain after expenses.
How much will you need to invest in the apartment?
The investment required depends on the property’s condition. Landlord Olga Karateyeva explains in the Channel 31 report that a good apartment can be expensive to rent, while one in poorer condition may need repairs and furnishing before guests can stay.
The monthly rent and the cost of preparing the apartment need to be considered together. A lower rent may offer little advantage if substantial work is needed before the first booking.
Why can an apartment lose money?
Income depends on how many nights guests book. Property market expert Alexander Pak highlights vacancies in the Channel 31 report: days without guests bring in no rental revenue, reducing the money available to cover expenses.
The landlords’ profit estimates apply only to good months. Using those amounts as a forecast for every month of the year would overlook the low season and the possibility of losses.
What other problems come with letting by the day?
The work does not end when guests check in. Landlords in the Channel 31 report describe conflicts with customers and neighbours, sometimes involving the police. These problems add to the work of cleaning, laundry and upkeep, alongside the risk of property damage.
Before taking an apartment for daily subletting, calculate the rent payable to the owner, preparation costs and ongoing expenses, allowing for vacancies and weaker months. The reported good-month profit ranges do not establish how much a subtenant would retain after paying the owner.
