Exodus from Kyiv. How apartment rentals have intensified around the capital

The fifth week of power outages in Kyiv has not led to a mass exodus from the city, but it has noticeably changed the demand for housing around the capital. Kyiv residents are more actively renting houses with gas heating and backup power in the 20-30 km zone from Kyiv, while cheap options without autonomy are of little interest.LIGA.net We've gathered real prices, destinations, and formats for temporary accommodation – and explain why businesses mostly stay in the city.Read alsoFrozen pipes, cold radiators. Can Ukraine keep the heat on under Russian shelling?The suburban home rental market.The suburban rental market, which is usually characterized by a lull after the New Year holidays, has become significantly more active in recent weeks. In particular, the demand for private houses has increased, Oleksandr Kryknitsky, director of the Stargorod real estate agency, told LIGA.net."Maybe not 600,000, but Kyiv residents are leaving," says the realtor.Vitali Klitschko previously stated that 600,000 people had left the capital. – Ed.)"Firstly, people are moving into their own homes. Secondly, the rental of suburban real estate has noticeably intensified," says Kryknitsky.According to him, the departure of people did not affect the number of sales and purchase agreements for private houses. However, the demand for rentals has doubled or even increased by two and a half times compared to December 2025.The greatest interest is concentrated in the 20-30 kilometer zone around the capital. Priority is given to houses heated by gas. Newer, more modern properties are preferred. "Options with stoves, firewood, and minimal amenities are not of interest to clients today," says Kryknitsky. Housing with electric heating is also not in demand.Elite houses are being rented more actively. Kyiv residents are primarily interested in autonomous houses with gas, heating, and inverters, says Andriy Sorochynskyi, CEO and managing partner of The Capital real estate agency. His company rents out premium-class cottages. "In the capital, of course, there are already many apartments with inverters, but with power outages of 10-12 hours, this does not help," he explains.Therefore, even for cottages, demand is more active, although not as massive as it was during the first power outages in 2023, when not only were autonomous houses rented, but they were also bought up, adds Sorochynskyi.Read also"It could be -1°C in apartments." How serious is the heating crisis in Kyiv?Suburban homes: rental prices in January 2026Rental costs currently remain at the December 2025 level. If demand grows more actively, this could lead to price fluctuations, say realtors.As usual, the Obukhiv direction is the most expensive: prices here are several times higher than the market average. The cheapest are the Brovary, Boryspil, and Vyshhorod directions.The most sought-after properties on the current rental market are houses of 50-60 square meters, which are equivalent to a one-bedroom apartment. Also, houses with an area of up to 100 square meters are equivalent to a "two-bedroom apartment".Such a "two-room apartment" will cost between 20,000-30,000 UAH per month in the 20-kilometer zone, and larger ones from 40,000 UAH. If without a generator, it will be cheaper.Premium-segment homes are rented out at a higher price. According to Andriy Sorochynskyi, the average price in an elite cottage community is $2,500 per month. However, deals here are not concluded for a month, but for a period of six months or more.The cheapest are old houses in villages in remote areas of the region. They can be rented for 3000-5000 UAH per month; near Kyiv, it's more expensive – a dacha with a stove will cost an average of 8000-10000 UAH.Read alsoSteep dive. Why apartment rentals in Kyiv have suddenly become cheaperWarm up and relieve stress: offers from businessesBusinesses immediately responded to the Kyiv mayor's call to leave the capital. Dozens of recreational complexes and clubs are offering discounted accommodation. Special emphasis is placed on complete autonomy: heat, light, and internet.The Olympic Village in Khodosivka (28 km from Kyiv) offers long-term accommodation, as well as houses and chalets for four, six, and ten guests, with discounts of 10-40% depending on the type of accommodation. Over the past two weeks, the number of guests has increased significantly, but not doubled, according to the complex."There are especially more people on weekdays," said representatives of the Olympic village.Discounted rooms here cost UAH 2,000, and houses cost UAH 5,500 per day. Meals are not included in the price.An increase in the number of people has also been noticed in Sosnovel, 30 km from the capital. This country hotel operates without interruption even in the event of power outages. Here, for the cold months, they offer a third night for free. "People admit that they came to warm up," the hotel said.A cottage for three people can be rented here for an average of UAH 5,000 on weekdays and UAH 7,500 on weekends. The price includes breakfast and access to the spa area.The Marakuya complex, which has 18 beds, has not seen an increase in visitors. The recreation area is located in Pidgirtsi on the Novoobukhiv highway, 27 km from Kyiv. They offer waterfront houses for UAH 4,000 per day with a discount and houses with a terrace for UAH 5,000. "There are visitors, but no more than before," the complex emphasizes.Business-to-businessThe suburban rental market now offers options not only for private clients but also for businesses.In particular, such a product was developed at the Shelest country complex of Ihor Mazepa. The recreation center is located on the dam of the Kyiv Reservoir, 32 km from the capital.Shelest offers a Work&amp;Stay service. It includes an overnight stay and access to a space for companies with a co-working area, full-fledged workstations, and three meals a day. The cost is UAH 3,000 per day per person.The package is available for bookings of three nights or more.This is the first product from Shelest specifically created for businesses. The offer was not designed to generate profit, says Natalia Zhuravlyova, a partner and co-owner of the complex. "For us, this is a two-way interaction: we help companies support their teams in difficult conditions. And businesses, by their presence, give us the opportunity to cover the complex's fixed costs and maintain jobs," Zhuravlyova emphasizes.She doesn't say whether anyone has accepted the offer. "It's too early to talk about an established trend. Inquiries are coming in steadily, but we understand that not everyone knows about the offer yet," said the co-owner of Shelest.However, businesses are currently reluctant to leave Kyiv, hoping to endure the disruptions in the capital, notes Yevhenia Loktionova, director of the consulting company UTG.After all, even temporary relocation requires spending on accommodation for employees and their families, as well as ensuring the relocation of a large number of people and transferring business processes. "These are large round-trip costs for moving for a month or even two. Especially since after returning, everything needs to be set up again on site," Loktionova explains.Therefore, businesses mostly prefer to invest in additional convectors and generators rather than uprooting their employees.So, judging by the rental situation, there is no mass exodus from Kyiv. This is despite calls from the authorities and prolonged power outages. Businesses are also not ready for a short-term relocation – companies are buying generators and inverters, not leaving the capital.

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