Latvia Rental Laws: Pro-landlord, Neutral or Pro-tenant?
Latvia's landlord and tenant laws are judged by the Global Property Guide to be Neutral between landlord and tenant. The system emphasizes freedom of contract and market principles, which often gives landlords more control, especially compared to countries with stronger tenant-focused regulations.
Rents: Can landlord and tenant freely agree rents in Latvia?
Under Latvian law, particularly the Civil Law (Civillikums) and the Law on Residential Tenancy (Dzīvojamo telpu īres likums), rent is freely negotiable between the parties.
Landlords can increase rent, but only if the lease agreement allows it or if both parties agree to amend the contract. In fixed-term leases, rent cannot be changed during the term unless it is specifically allowed in the contract. In indefinite leases, the law allows for adjustments, but the tenant must be notified in writing at least one month in advance.
What rights do landlords and tenants have in Latvia, especially as to duration of contract, and eviction?
Fixed-term contracts in Latvia are established for a specific period, such as one year, and they automatically expire at the end of that term unless both the landlord and tenant agree to renew the agreement. Early termination of a fixed-term lease is only allowed under conditions outlined in the lease itself or as permitted by law.
Indefinite-term contracts remain in effect until one of the parties decides to terminate the agreement. In such cases, the law requires a notice period, the length of which depends on the specific reason for termination.
In Latvia, eviction must follow a legal process, and a landlord is not permitted to forcibly remove a tenant. Eviction can only proceed through a court order, unless the tenant leaves voluntarily or both parties come to a mutual agreement. In the case of indefinite-term contracts, landlords are generally required to provide at least three months' notice before terminating the lease, unless the contract specifies otherwise. However, a shorter notice period may apply if the tenant has seriously breached the lease terms, such as failing to pay rent. Additionally, vulnerable tenants—such as the elderly, disabled, or those with low incomes—may receive extended notice periods or be eligible for social housing assistance in eviction situations.
Deposits
For properties owned by the state or local government, the security deposit cannot exceed the equivalent of twelve months' rent. However, for private rentals, there is no statutory cap on the deposit amount, although in practice, landlords typically request a deposit equivalent to one or two months' rent.
How effective is the Latvian legal system?
The eviction process must go through the civil court system, unless the tenant agrees to leave voluntarily. This requirement helps ensure fairness and protects tenants from arbitrary or illegal removal. In terms of notice, landlords are generally required to provide three months’ written notice for indefinite-term contracts. However, in more serious cases—such as when the tenant fails to pay rent—shorter notice periods and expedited court procedures may be permitted.
Brief history in Latvian landlord and tenant law
Latvia's housing experienced radical privatization. In 1992, the process of restoring dwellings to former owners began, giving the residents seven years protection from rent eviction and from raising rents, after which the free market prevails. From 1995, state and municipality-owned houses began to be privatized, often without the land under the building being privatized, using privatization certificates.
The key legal framework has since been developed under the Civil Law (Civillikums), with significant updates culminating in the Law on Residential Tenancy in 2021, which aimed to modernize tenant protections and clarify landlord rights in line with European standards. This recent legislation reflects Latvia’s ongoing effort to balance the interests of landlords and tenants within a transparent and fair legal framework.
