Renting in Bermuda: Prices, How to Find a Place, and Avoiding Scams

Last checked 12 October 2026

This guide is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Some links may be affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Finding somewhere to live is usually the hardest practical part of moving to Bermuda. The market is small, good places go fast, and rents are high. This guide covers what rents look like, how the market works, and how to secure a place without getting caught out.

How much is rent?

Crowd-sourced averages from Numbeo for Hamilton (September 2026):

Source: numbeo.com. These are user-submitted figures, not official statistics.

Against those averages, real listings from one agency on 4 September 2026 were a two-bedroom in Sandys at $4,400/month and a three-bedroom Warwick house at $6,200/month (JBM Realty).

Rents are quoted in Bermuda dollars, which equal US dollars.

How the market works

JBM Realty’s 2026 guide describes the Bermuda rental market as small and fast-moving. It names Hamilton, Paget and Pembroke as the main areas of demand for working professionals, and notes that properties can move through agent and landlord networks before they’re widely advertised (jbm-realty.com). On the day it checked, JBM had only two long-term rentals publicly listed. That shows how thin one agency’s stock can be at any moment.

In practice:

1. Start before you arrive. Talk to several agents as soon as your permit is approved, or likely to be.
2. Be flexible on parish. A ferry commute from the west or a bus from the east can open up more options. See where to live in Bermuda.
3. Decide quickly. Have your documents ready so you can commit when the right place comes up.

Can non-Bermudians rent freely?

Yes. Renting a home to live in doesn’t need the property licence that buying does. JBM notes there’s “no Alien Landholding Licence to occupy a rental”, whereas non-Bermudians buying property face minimum Annual Rental Value thresholds and licence charges (jbm-realty.com). For most newcomers on work permits, renting first is the realistic route.

What to have ready

Landlords and agents will usually want to know you can pay and that you’re allowed to be there. Have digital copies of:

• your passport,
• your work permit or residence permission letter,
• an employment letter confirming your salary and start date (or proof of income if you’re on Permission to Reside),
• references from previous landlords, if you have them.

A signed lease will then help you with the next steps. HSBC and Butterfield both accept a lease as proof of address for opening a bank account.

Questions to ask about any property

Money

• What’s the monthly rent, and is it fixed for the whole lease?
• How much is the deposit, and when is it returned?
• Which utilities are included? Numbeo’s average for basic utilities on a ~915 sq ft flat is about $288 a month (numbeo.com).
• Is internet included? If not, check which providers serve the address. Fibre from One Communications is advertised at $130/month for 500 Mbps (onecomm.bm).

The home

• Is it furnished? (This decides what you need to ship.)
• Is there air conditioning or a dehumidifier? Ask how damp and mould are dealt with.
• Is there laundry in the unit or shared?
• How is water supplied, and who pays for any water deliveries or tank maintenance?

Getting around

• Is there parking for a car and/or a bike?
• Is a private car already registered to this residence? Bermuda allows one per residence (Motor Car Act 1951).
• How far is it to a bus stop or ferry landing?

The lease

• How long is the term, and what’s the notice period?
• What happens if your work permit ends early? Ask for a break clause.
• Who handles repairs, and how quickly?

Temporary accommodation

Most newcomers book a short let or hotel for the first weeks and view properties in person. Ask your employer whether they help with relocation or temporary housing. For short stays, compare options on Booking.com or Expedia.

Avoiding rental scams

Scams target people renting from abroad. Protect yourself:

• Never send a deposit for a property you, or someone you trust, hasn’t viewed.
• Be wary of rents far below the averages above.
• Pay only once you have a signed lease naming the landlord or a recognised agency.
• Check the agent is a real Bermuda business with a local phone number and office.
• Don’t pay by untraceable methods. Bank transfers usually can’t be reversed (sending money safely).

Renting vs buying

For newcomers, renting first is usually more practical. Non-Bermudians can only buy properties above minimum Annual Rental Value thresholds: $126,000 for a house and $25,800 for a condominium for an ordinary restricted person. Purchases can also carry a large licence charge, which JBM gives as 12.5% for qualifying houses and 8% for qualifying condominiums (jbm-realty.com). Get a Bermuda lawyer before considering a purchase.

Budget it properly

Rent is usually the largest item in a Bermuda budget. Our cost of living guide puts rent alongside groceries, transport, schools and tax.

Checklist

• Work permit or permission approved (or close)
• Contact three or more agents with your budget, dates and preferred parishes
• Employment letter, passport and permit copies ready
• Temporary accommodation booked for the first weeks
• View in person, or via someone you trust
• Ask the questions above, especially about utilities, parking and the car registration
• Sign the lease, then pay the deposit
• Use the lease as proof of address for your bank account

Sources checked 12 October 2026.