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The total monthly occupancy cost for a long-term rental in the Dominican Republic typically includes several components beyond the base rent:
All lease agreements must be in writing and in Spanish (the official language); in case of dispute, the Spanish version prevails in Dominican courts.
TL;DR: International students in the Dominican Republic can find long-term rentals near major universities (UASD, PUCMM, INTEC, UNIBE) in Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros. Expect to pay 300–1,200 USD/month depending on city, neighborhood, and apartment type. The landmark Law 85-25 (August 2025) caps residential deposits at two months' rent, requires deposits to be held at Banco Agrícola, and mandates written lease agreements. Always budget for utilities (50–150 USD/month) and internet (30–60 USD/month) on top of rent.
Finding long-term student housing in the Dominican Republic requires understanding the local rental market, key university locations, and the legal framework governing leases. Whether you are enrolling at UASD in Santo Domingo's Ciudad Universitaria, studying at PUCMM in Santiago de los Caballeros, or attending INTEC or UNIBE, choosing the right neighborhood and understanding your rights as a tenant are essential first steps. The Dominican rental market offers options for all budgets — from shared apartments near campus for under 400 USD/month to fully furnished one-bedroom units in well-connected neighborhoods like Gazcue or Naco. Since the enactment of Law 85-25 in August 2025, tenant protections have been significantly strengthened, including regulated deposit limits and mandatory written lease agreements.
The Dominican Republic offers a range of long-term rental options for international students, primarily concentrated in Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros. The country's main universities — including UASD (the oldest university in the Americas), PUCMM, INTEC, and UNIBE — are located in or near these two cities. Student-friendly neighborhoods such as Gazcue and Ciudad Universitaria in Santo Domingo offer furnished apartments from approximately 450 USD/month, while Santiago is more affordable with studios starting around 155 USD/month (TheLatinvestor, early 2026). Rental agreements are governed by Dominican law, including the landmark Law 85-25 (enacted August 2025), which caps residential security deposits at two months' rent and requires deposits to be held at Banco Agrícola or Banreservas. All leases must be in writing and in Spanish to be enforceable in Dominican courts.
Finding long-term student housing in the Dominican Republic requires understanding the local rental market, key university locations, and the legal framework governing leases. Whether you are enrolling at UASD in Santo Domingo's Ciudad Universitaria, studying at PUCMM in Santiago de los Caballeros, or attending INTEC or UNIBE, choosing the right neighborhood and understanding your rights as a tenant are essential first steps. The Dominican rental market offers options for all budgets — from shared apartments near campus for under 400 USD/month to fully furnished one-bedroom units in well-connected neighborhoods like Gazcue or Naco. Since the enactment of Law 85-25 in August 2025, tenant protections have been significantly strengthened, including regulated deposit limits and mandatory written lease agreements.
Rental prices in the Dominican Republic vary significantly by city and neighborhood. In Santo Domingo's Distrito Nacional, furnished studios in student areas like Gazcue and Ciudad Universitaria typically range from 450 USD/month to 700 USD/month, while one-bedroom apartments in neighborhoods like Naco or Bella Vista can reach 950 USD/month to 1,200 USD/month (source: TheLatinvestor, early 2026). In Santiago de los Caballeros, near the PUCMM campus, rents are considerably lower, with studios starting from around 155 USD/month (source: TheLatinvestor, citing Corotos Reporte Inmobiliario S1 2024). Most long-term leases are signed for one year, with rent payable monthly in either Dominican pesos (DOP) or US dollars. Students should budget for utilities and internet on top of the base rent, as these are usually not included unless explicitly stated in the lease.
International students searching for long-term rentals in the Dominican Republic often make the following mistakes:
Student housing is concentrated in Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros, close to UASD, PUCMM, INTEC and UNIBE. In Santo Domingo, Gazcue and Ciudad Universitaria are the practical districts; listings come through Corotos and Citymax.
A local Home Finder views for you, including whether the building has a backup generator, before any money is paid.
Some landlords require a fiador, meaning a Dominican national or long-term resident acting as guarantor, which is a real obstacle without a local network. It is best to plan for it before you search.
In every case, insist on a written lease in Spanish, setting out the rent, term, deposit conditions and utilities. The Home Finder helps you build your application and present it to the landlord.
Start the search at least two to three months before you arrive: the best-located furnished flats near UASD, UNIBE and INTEC, in Santo Domingo, are let quickly. Corotos and Citymax are the platforms to follow.
Also leave time for the written lease and for the deposit, which must be placed with the Banco Agrícola or Banreservas.
Expect 300 to 1,200 USD a month depending on the city and type of home: in Santo Domingo, a furnished studio in Gazcue or Ciudad Universitaria costs about 450 USD a month, and in Santiago studios start around 155 USD a month. Add 80 to 210 USD a month for utilities.
The deposit is capped at two months' rent (Law 85-25); a first month in advance is also usually asked for.
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