Hulhumalé has become the first choice for families and young professionals who want more space than Malé can offer. Wider roads, a long public beach, parks and newer buildings make it attractive, and rents reflect that. This guide sets out what flats really cost to rent in Hulhumalé in 2026, why two flats of the same size can be thousands of rufiyaa apart, and how to find a good one without overpaying.
The figures below combine asking rents on the main Maldivian listing sites, a 2026 cost-of-living guide for the city, and the rentals listed on Maldives Investments. Asking rents are not the same as agreed rents, so treat them as a guide and use them to judge whether a flat you are offered is fair.
Hulhumalé rent at a glance (2026)
| Flat size | Typical monthly rent | What you usually get |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | MVR 8,000 – 14,000 | Compact unit, often older Phase 1 building, sometimes furnished |
| 2 bedrooms | MVR 14,000 – 25,000 | The most common family flat; furnished units at the top of the range |
| 3 bedrooms | MVR 20,000 – 35,000 | Larger family homes, newer towers, more often with parking |
| Premium / waterfront | MVR 30,000 – 45,000+ | Sea views, new developments, gym or pool, fully furnished |
For example, on our own site a fully furnished 2-room flat in Phase 2 is listed at MVR 19,000 a month, which sits right in the middle of the 2-bedroom band. Listing sites show Phase 1 two-bedroom flats advertised at around MVR 19,500 to 20,000, and newer Phase 2 flats such as those in The Creek View at around MVR 29,000. One aggregator that averages more than 1,800 Hulhumalé listings puts the overall average near MVR 21,000, but that mixes everything from single rooms to penthouses, so it is not a useful benchmark for one flat.
Phase 1 or Phase 2: why it changes the rent
Hulhumalé was built in two stages. Phase 1 is the established part of the city, with most of the shops, schools, Hulhumalé Hospital, the ferry terminal and the long eastern beach. Buildings there are older, so you will find more affordable flats, especially away from the beach.
Phase 2 is newer and still growing. It has more high-rise towers, Hulhumalé Central Park and many of the newest private developments. New buildings usually mean lifts, covered parking and modern kitchens, and landlords price that in. A 2026 guide to living in the city gives these broad ranges:
- Phase 1, central streets: about MVR 8,000 – 14,000 a month
- Phase 1, near the beach: about MVR 12,000 – 20,000
- Phase 2 neighbourhoods: about MVR 14,000 – 25,000
- Phase 2 waterfront and premium towers: about MVR 20,000 – 45,000
If you are deciding between the two, read our full comparison of Hulhumalé Phase 1 vs Phase 2, and our guide to the best neighbourhoods in Hulhumalé for families.
What pushes a Hulhumalé rent up or down
Furnished or unfurnished
A fully furnished flat with air conditioning in every room, a washing machine and a fitted kitchen commonly costs MVR 2,000 – 5,000 more a month than the same flat empty. If you are staying for years and own furniture, an unfurnished flat is almost always better value.
Floor, lift and view
Higher floors with sea or park views rent for more, but only if there is a working lift. A fifth-floor walk-up can be cheaper than a second-floor flat in a building with a lift. Ask how old the lift is and who pays for its maintenance.
Parking
Car and motorbike parking is increasingly valuable in Hulhumalé. A flat with a reserved space can justify a higher rent; without one, check how far you will park and whether the road is busy at night.
Age and condition of the building
Newer towers have better plumbing, insulation and generators. Older Phase 1 buildings can be excellent value, but look for damp, low water pressure and old wiring before you sign.
For sale nowFrom MVR 3.6M1+1 Bedroom Apartments at Bayfancy · HulhumaléWho the flat is let to
Some landlords only rent to families, some prefer expatriate professionals, and some will accept sharers. Flats suitable for groups of workers are priced differently from family homes. Be clear about who will live there from the first message.
Bills and extra costs on top of rent
The rent is rarely the whole monthly cost. Budget for:
- Electricity: usually paid by the tenant. Several air conditioners running every evening make this the biggest extra.
- Water: metered and normally paid by the tenant.
- Internet: almost always separate, unless the flat is advertised as fully serviced.
- Building service charge: sometimes included in the rent, sometimes not. Ask, and get the answer in the agreement.
- Parking: if not included, a separate monthly fee may apply.
Ask the landlord for a recent electricity and water bill so you know what to expect.
Deposits and advance rent
Landlords in Hulhumalé normally ask for a security deposit and at least one month's rent in advance before handing over the keys. Residential lettings are now covered by the Residential Tenancies Act (21/2021), which, among other things, requires the deposit to be returned within 15 days after the tenancy ends, minus any deductions the law allows. The landlord also cannot change the rent during an existing agreement. We explain the details, and what to check before paying anything, in renting a flat: deposits, advance rent and what to check.
Never pay a deposit or "booking fee" before you have seen the flat in person and confirmed who owns it. In 2026 the police warned about social media accounts advertising Hulhumalé flats at unrealistically low rents and taking advance payments of MVR 2,550 to MVR 10,000 for flats they did not own. Read the seven warning signs of a property scam before you transfer money.
How to find a good flat in Hulhumalé
- Set a full monthly budget. Rent plus bills plus transport. A cheaper flat far from your work can cost more once you add taxis or fuel.
- Decide the phase and the must-haves. Lift, parking, furnished, pets, number of bathrooms.
- Search and save. Browse flats for rent, filter by Hulhumalé and bedrooms, and set an email alert so new matches reach you first. Good flats go quickly.
- View in daylight and again at night. Check noise, light, water pressure and mobile signal.
- Agree everything in writing. Rent, deposit, notice period, who pays which bills and who fixes what. Use our rental agreement checklist.
- Take photos at move-in. Date-stamped photos of every room protect your deposit when you leave.
Is it cheaper to buy than to rent?
It can be. A 2-bedroom flat in Hulhumalé that rents for MVR 19,000 a month often sells for around MVR 4.2 – 5.7 million on our listings. With a home loan and the right deposit, the monthly repayment can be close to the rent, and you build equity instead of paying a landlord. Run the numbers in our home loan calculator, then read how to buy a flat in Hulhumalé and how much income you need to buy a flat.
Own a flat in Hulhumalé?
If you have a flat to let, you can list it for rent for free. Tenants contact you directly by WhatsApp or phone, and your listing is emailed to people with matching search alerts. Our guide to rental yields in Hulhumalé and Malé shows what return to expect.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 2-bedroom flat in Hulhumalé per month?
Most 2-bedroom flats in Hulhumalé are advertised between about MVR 14,000 and MVR 25,000 a month in 2026. Older or unfurnished Phase 1 flats sit at the lower end; new towers and sea-facing Phase 2 flats at the top or above.
Is Phase 2 more expensive than Phase 1?
Usually, yes. Phase 2 has newer towers, more lifts and parking, and sea views, so the same size of flat often costs a few thousand rufiyaa more a month than in central Phase 1.
Do I pay a deposit when renting in Hulhumalé?
Yes. Landlords normally ask for a security deposit plus rent in advance. Under the Residential Tenancies Act the deposit must be returned within 15 days after the tenancy ends, minus allowed deductions.
Are utilities included in the rent?
Rarely. Electricity and water are usually paid by the tenant on top of the rent. Some furnished flats include internet or service charges, so always ask.
