Long-term accommodation in Lombok: a practical checklist

Should I book a long stay before I arrive?

If you can, book a short stay first and look at long-term places in person. Photos and messages cannot show you water pressure, noise or the state of the roof. Wikivoyage notes that some taxi drivers will help newcomers find somewhere to stay and may earn a commission from the place they bring you to, so treat that kind of advice with care.²

What should be in a lease or rental contract?

Whatever the arrangement, get the key points in writing and keep a copy. A good checklist:

• Who the landlord is: ask for the owner's name and check that the person you deal with is allowed to rent the place out.
• Dates: start date, end date, and what happens if you want to leave early or extend.
• Money: the rent, how and when it is paid (cash or bank transfer, in rupiah or another currency), the deposit and the conditions for returning it. Ask for a receipt each time.
• What is included: furniture, appliances, cleaning, garden, pool care, and who pays for repairs.
• Utilities and internet: which bills are included, and which you pay yourself.
• Rules: guests, pets, subletting, and house rules in a shared compound.
• Language: Indonesian is the language used in government offices and larger businesses.² If the contract is in Indonesian, ask for a translation you trust.

For anything beyond a simple room rental, especially a multi-year lease, pay for independent legal advice from a qualified local professional. Do not rely only on the landlord's or an agent's explanation.

What should I check before signing?

The building

• Look for cracks, damp, mould and roof leaks. Lombok was hit by two serious earthquakes in July and August 2018, with a magnitude 7.0 quake on 5 August causing catastrophic damage in North Lombok,¹ so ask how old the building is and whether it was repaired or rebuilt after damage.
• Check doors, windows, locks and fans or air conditioning.
• Photograph every room before you move in and send the photos to the landlord, so you are not charged for existing damage.

Water

• Water supply is under strain on parts of the island, and Wikipedia reports that the southern and central areas are among the most critically affected.¹ Ask where the water comes from (a well, a tank or a supplier), whether it ever runs dry, and who pays to refill it.
• Run the taps and showers, flush the toilets and look at the water pressure and colour.

Power and internet

• Ask how often the power goes off, and whether the house has a backup.
• Ask which internet providers reach the address, and test your phone signal and speed there. The Spot (our own place, see the disclosure below) says that fibre is available in the centre of Kuta and that its coworking space runs satellite backup for local outages.³ Do not assume a rental outside the town centre has the same service.
• If you work online, test a video call from the room you would use.

The neighbourhood

• Visit during the day and in the evening. Check noise, roads, lighting and how far the nearest shop, clinic and school are.
• Check how the road looks in the rainy season, which Wikivoyage places between October and April.²
• Meet the neighbours or the village head if the landlord can arrange it. See Culture & Respect for local etiquette.

How safe is it?

Wikivoyage describes Lombok as a quiet and peaceful destination, apart from minor, isolated petty theft and the usual dangers of travelling on Indonesian roads.² Take sensible precautions anyway: ask about locks and gates, keep valuables out of sight, and do not leave a bike or scooter in a place that cannot be locked. Read the emergency and hospital information in the Wikivoyage Lombok guide and keep local numbers saved on your phone.²

Which areas should I consider?

Wikivoyage divides Lombok into regions with different characters:²

• Mataram and Senggigi (West Lombok): the administrative centre, much of the island's developed tourism infrastructure, and the gateway to the Gili Islands.
• Kuta, Sekotong and Mandalika (South Lombok): beaches and surfing, with fewer facilities than the west. Remember the water point above.
• Central and East Lombok: quiet rural villages and beaches, such as Tetebatu on the edge of Mount Rinjani National Park.
• North Lombok: Mount Rinjani, Senaru and waterfalls. It was hit hardest by the 2018 earthquake.¹

Wikivoyage notes that most foreign residents live on the coast of West Lombok.² Visit more than one area before you choose. Our Explore page has an overview.

Do I need a permit or visa to stay long?

Possibly, depending on your nationality and how long you stay. We could not verify the current rules from an official Indonesian government source when we wrote this page, so we are not going to guess. Check the Indonesian immigration directorate (imigrasi.go.id) and your nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate. Rules and fees change, so confirm them before you book flights or pay a deposit. Wikivoyage mentions, for example, that a visa on arrival can be extended once at the local immigration office,² but that guide may be out of date, so please do not rely on it for planning.

The same applies to buying property or taking a long lease as a foreigner: the rules are specific, and you should only rely on official sources and independent professional advice.

A note on The Spot Lombok

Quick checklist

• Visited in person, in the day and at night
• Written contract with dates, rent, deposit, inclusions and exit terms
• Owner's identity confirmed and contract understood in your language
• Photos of every room before moving in
• Water source and supply confirmed
• Power backup and internet tested
• Building condition, including earthquake damage and repairs, asked about
• Locks, gates and neighbourhood checked
• Visa and permit position confirmed from official sources

More on settling in: Live Here.