Private home rentals in Europe: how to choose a house and what to check before booking

Renting a house in Europe has long since stopped being a niche option. In 2025, 951.6 million nights were booked here through online platforms (according to the European Commission). That is about a quarter of all tourist accommodation in the EU. A private house gives you more freedom, space, and privacy than a standard hotel room.

Below, we cover how to rent a place directly from the owner, what to check before paying, and how the new EU rules change booking. You will see where people most often lose money, and you will get a short checklist for choosing.

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Why a private house beats a hotel

💡 In short:

• Compare the price for a week, not just per night: the weekly rate for a house is usually better value than a room.
• Ask in advance about the deposit, the cleaning fee, and the cancellation terms.
• Check how to get to the nearest shop and whether the house has parking.
• Nights in accommodation booked through online platforms in 2025: 10/2026, according to Eurostat.

A hotel sells you a room, while a private house gives you a whole home with a kitchen, a terrace, and a washing machine. For a family, the savings on meals and laundry quickly outweigh the difference in price. This is especially noticeable on trips of a week or longer.

Then there is the peace and quiet, and the space. Country houses sit far from the tourist streets where hotels run around the clock. You wake up without the noise of bars and do not pay for parking in the center. For remote work, these conditions suit you better than a hotel room.

Over the past few years, the segment has stopped being a niche. According to Eurostat, a record 3.08 billion nights were spent in EU tourist accommodation in 2025. Part of this flow goes specifically to private houses and cottages outside the city, rather than to hotels near the train station.

How to find a house directly from the owner

Booking directly with the owner takes more time, but it leaves you in control of the deal. You ask questions before paying and agree on the details with someone who knows the house. In return, you do not pay extra fees to an intermediary, and you more often get flexible terms for a long stay.

Besides the big aggregators, there are small sites with listings from owners. One of them, the Czech portal Pronajem.eu, publishes listings for apartments, houses, and holiday homes with no commission. It also has a collection of short-term cottage rentals for a break in the countryside.

From there, follow these steps. First, decide on the length of stay and a budget for the whole period, not for a single day. Then make a list of a few suitable houses and write to the owners right away. The more specific you are about dates, the number of guests, and your question about the deposit, the faster the reply will come.

If the owner does not confirm the dates or dodges a direct answer about payment, look for the next option. That way you do not lose your booking at the last minute.

What the new EU rules changed

Since May 20, 2026, Regulation 2024/1028 on short-term accommodation rentals has applied in the EU (according to the European Commission's announcement). It does not introduce a single price and does not ban rentals, but it changes the rules on registration and data sharing between platforms and authorities: owners get a registration number, and platforms must display and verify it. The regulation works on an opt-in basis, meaning each country decides for itself whether to introduce a register of accommodation.

For you, this means one simple thing. Legal accommodation becomes easier to tell apart from the gray market. A short number in the listing means the property has been entered in the national register. If there is no number at all, it is worth asking the owner an extra question about the status of the property.

How to choose accommodation: what to look at

First, compare the terms, not the photos. Below is a basic list that saves time and money.

Do not rely on photos alone. Ask the owner to film a video of the yard or describe the view from the windows. Ask about heating in winter, water, and rubbish collection: in country houses, these are sometimes handled differently than in a hotel. If you are traveling with children, check the number of beds and whether a baby cot is available.

Hotel or private house: which to choose

A short city visit is better covered by a hotel: location and nearby transport matter most to you. A long trip with children, or one with remote work, is better spent in a house. Compare hotel prices on Trip.com in advance, so you can choose the area and dates with confidence.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How does renting a private house differ from a hotel?

In a house, you get a kitchen, a washing machine, and a separate entrance, rather than a room off a shared corridor. It is usually cheaper for a week and quieter. In return, you handle everyday matters yourself and do not get daily cleaning. A house suits a family or remote work better, and a short city trip worse.

What must you check before paying?

Ask for the full rate with fees, the cancellation terms, and the size of the deposit. Confirm the payment method and whether there is a contract. Ask to see reviews from the past year and a video of the house. If the owner avoids direct answers about payment, that is a reason to choose another option.

How have the rules for renting accommodation in Europe changed?

The EU now has common rules for short-term accommodation rentals, and they work on an opt-in basis. Each country decides for itself whether to introduce a register of accommodation, and if it does, it follows the common requirements. Owners get a registration number, and platforms must display and verify it. The rules do not introduce a direct ban on rentals or a single price.

Is a deposit required, and how do you get it back?

A deposit is taken to cover possible damage and is usually returned after check-out. The exact terms are set out in the contract or in the listing. Before paying, ask how and when the money will be returned, and whether the cleaning fee is withheld. Private owners' terms vary more than those of a hotel chain.

Can you rent a house for a few days instead of a week?

Yes, short stays are available at private houses, especially in the off-season. But the minimum length is often longer than at a hotel, and the nightly price goes up. On weekends and holidays, houses get booked up earlier than hotels. If the trip is very short, a hotel is usually more convenient.

In short: what to consider when renting a house

The choice comes down to the length of your trip, how much you value seclusion, and your budget for the week. For a long stay, a private house is almost always better value than a room. For a short city trip, a hotel near transport is more convenient. Compare both options in advance so you do not overpay.

• If you are a family staying for a week: look for a house with a kitchen and a washing machine.
• If you work remotely: check the internet and how quiet the area is.
• If you are going to a city for a short time: a hotel near transport is more convenient.

Before paying, check the cancellation terms, the deposit, and the reviews from the past year.