Red tape and blue ink

Your rent contract is needed in order to get a work or residency permit.

So it doesn't only have to please you and your landlord, but must also satisfy the immigration office's requirements.
And that's not just a question of black and white. In fact, the office insists contracts should be signed in blue, to verify that they are not photocopies.
We suggest printing and signing several copies of the contract - for yourself, your landlord, your employer, the authorities, and anyone else who wants to see it.
The contract must be signed by two witnesses, giving identity details. Furthermore, it must include all the names of family members who will live in the home, so that each can get a residence permit.
Sound like the immigration office is difficult to deal with? Luckily, ERC isn't - and we are happy to sort out the bureaucracy on your behalf.

Stuff and nonsense

With its elegant furniture, fine china and modern appliances, the house seemed perfect. You said "yes" before the tour was even through.

They've taken everything!

But when you moved in, it looked like a burglary scene. Electronics, shelf units, even curtains, had all gone missing, leaving bare walls and floorboards.
Pouring a drink to calm your nerves, you spilt a few drops on the one remaining carpet - leading to you being charged damage costs and forfeiting your security deposit.
Then you discovered that the satellite TV, trash removal and 24-hour security service were not included in your rent, saddling you with extra fees.
Purely the stuff of nightmares? We try to keep it that way.
We will talk with your landlord about which of the things you see during the tour will be there when you move in. We will write an inventory and establish in detail what the flat was like when you inherited it and in what state you will hand it back. We will make sure everyone agrees on what counts as normal wear and tear, and establish what services your rent includes.
We will also try to include a clause in the contract specifying how quickly the proprietor should repair any damages you report, and the fine he or she should pay you if this is not met.
So you may even find your landlord is paying you for that stained rug.

On pets ... and other house animals

Bringing your dog or cat to Hungary is unlikely to cause much stress with the locals, who are often great animal lovers.

Feeling at home

Walking down the street with your inquisitive mutt can be a good way to break the ice with your neighbors.
But don't be shocked if officials turn up on your doorstep asking to see your rabies vaccination certificate. There are strict rules on pet health.
As for the less desirable quadrupeds, you may be pleasantly surprised by the lack of domestic rats and mice in Budapest. This is thanks to a brilliantly simple ruse, in which authorities scattered rat poison in a huge ring circling the main part of the city. If you walk your dog near this belt - for example, in the popular rambling area of Normafa - watch out for the signs telling you not to let your dog loose. Otherwise, Bonzo might go the same way as the rodents.

Finding your feet

You get off the plane with your family and have a few days to sort your life out before your new job starts.
How can you find schools for your children and stores that stock the things

We won't forget you ERC's care for people moving into homes in Hungary and the region does not end the day the new name goes up on the door buzzer. We offer comprehensive aftercare, including installing appliances, hanging pictures, and arranging reliable handymen for those dirty jobs around the house.

you're used to? Is there a specialist doctor who can treat your asthmatic child? Are there good stables within an hour's drive where you can keep your horses? And do the people in these places speak your language?
Your company's HR staff may be too busy to deal with your relocation in such detail - yet these things are essential to your living happily.
Enter ERC's orientation service. We will listen to your needs and arrange a tour of locations. We will set up meetings with school principals and find doctors who specialize in your needs. And your orientation will be concentrated within a few days, so as not to interrupt your job more than necessary.

A question of time

If you are moving to Hungary to manage a firm, you might want to use your management skills to push for a two-year rather than a one-year lease contract.

Residency and work permits are only valid for as long as the lease agreement presented in the application. But it is unusual for lease agreements to be signed for periods longer than one year.
That's no problem for expat employees, who in any case can only have the permits for one year. But expat managing directors can have work permits lasting two years, so it is worth trying to negotiate a lease for that long.
Ask ERC if you'd like help.

Keep watch

Everybody wants to take care of their own worldly assets. The catch is that insurance executives are no exception!

Break-ins are frequent in more affluent districts, especially when tenants are on vacation. But insurers will go to great lengths to avoid having to pay out.
The problem is so acute that some employers have in-house rules regarding their expats' homes, saying someone must have an eye on the house at all times, whether from the inside (the tenant) or outside (a security guard).
Scrutinize your insurance document. Double-check if the payback depends on whether your house alarm is directly connected to the police station. Ascertain whether your insurer is prepared to cover the cost of new locks. In an apartment house, find out what is covered by the collective house insurance.
Or just contact ERC about our security surveys. This service will evaluate your needs and suggest solutions.