What should a private housing tenancy agreement record in the Maldives?

A private housing agreement in the Maldives should record rent, deposit, utilities, repairs, permitted occupants, subletting, notice and the handover condition. The reviewed sources do not establish one national deposit, notice or eviction standard for every private tenancy, so the written terms and applicable arrangement should be checked carefully.

How can a Maldivian household apply for a state housing plot or flat in the Maldives?

A Maldivian household applies through the particular public housing scheme when its application window opens. The process may include eligibility checks, scoring, a list, complaints, a draw, an agreement and handover; the Digital Allocation System can show status by form number, but an application does not guarantee allocation or a fixed completion date.

What housing options are available to foreign residents in the Maldives?

Foreign residents generally use private rental housing, employer-provided accommodation or housing connected with a residence or work arrangement. They have no automatic entitlement to public housing allocation, and foreign land ownership is prohibited; lease and immigration conditions require separate checks.

What rules apply to employer-provided housing for foreign workers in the Maldives?

Employer-provided accommodation for foreign workers in the Maldives is subject to the 2021 R-15 standards, Expat System registration or authorisation and Ministry inspection at least once a year. Unauthorised occupancy can create reporting and compliance consequences.

How do island conditions affect housing construction and use in the Maldives?

Island land-use plans, coastal exposure, flooding and utility availability affect housing in the Maldives. A plot should generally be at least 20 metres from the coast, while houses should generally stand 30 to 60 centimetres above the road; water, sewerage and electricity depend on the island and project.

Housing in Maldives

Q: Which housing arrangements are available to households in the Maldives?

Households in the Maldives may use private rented or owned homes, self-built houses, state plots or flats, HDC or strata apartments, and accommodation provided by relatives or employers. The practical choice depends on the island, access conditions, contract or scheme rules and the household's status.

Housing in the Maldives includes private rentals and ownership, self-built houses, state plots and flats, HDC or strata apartments, and accommodation provided by relatives or employers. Access, costs, occupancy rights and transfer conditions depend on the island, housing scheme, contract and immigration status. Greater Malé has dense apartment living, while inhabited atolls rely more on houses, family accommodation, self-building and council-linked plots.

Tip

Choose the housing route by how soon you need a home, how much control you need and which eligibility conditions apply. Private rent or employer accommodation is usually more predictable for an immediate need, while a state plot or flat can involve scoring, lists or a draw without a guaranteed allocation date. Put every payment, repair duty, occupancy condition and handover obligation in writing before you commit.

byAishath&Mohamed

The 2022 Census recorded 94,424 households and 83,965 housing units in the Maldives. Households mainly used houses, flats and apartments, while 10,459 people lived in collective living quarters such as labour or staff quarters, boarding houses, guesthouses, hotels, shelters, institutions or boats. The Greater Malé definition includes Malé, Hulhumalé, Vilimalé and Hulhulé. It contained 42,571 households and 3,927 collective living quarters; the atolls contained 51,853 households and 6,532 collective living quarters. Private housing is commonly found through owners, agents and local networks. A rental or tenancy agreement should record the rent, deposit, utility payments, repairs, subletting, notice, permitted occupants and handover condition. The reviewed national sources do not establish one standard deposit, notice or eviction rule for every private tenancy, so the written agreement and the applicable arrangement matter. There is no identified national rent ceiling for ordinary private housing. The MBS Rental Survey 2025 provides rental information, while the former Hiyaa programme's subsidised ceiling of up to MVR 7,500 per month is historical and should not be treated as a general current benchmark. Maldivian households may use inherited or allotted land, construct a house, rent privately or apply for a state plot or flat when a particular scheme opens. Public housing access is scheme-specific. The application may involve eligibility checks, scoring, a published list, complaints, a draw, an agreement and handover. The 2026 Aailee Boahiyaavahikan and Goathi Gedhoru programmes received 58,505 applications. A Digital Allocation System can provide status information by form number, but an application does not guarantee a dwelling or a fixed completion date. Island or city council principles may also affect access. HDC supports housing-related services in Hulhumalé, including housing information, payments, tenant requests and building permits. A strata title identifies an individual apartment together with a proportional share of common property. A Management Corporation administers common areas, finances, maintenance and related building matters. Transfer, resale, subletting and changes of use depend on the relevant title, scheme rules and agreement. Foreign residents commonly obtain housing through private rent, employer accommodation or a residence or work arrangement. Foreign residents do not receive an automatic entitlement to a public housing allocation. Foreign ownership of land is prohibited, while a lease may run for up to 99 years under Article 251 of the Constitution. Employer-provided accommodation for foreign workers is subject to the 2021 R-15 standards, Expat System registration or authorisation and inspection by the Ministry at least once a year. Unauthorised occupancy has reporting consequences under that system. Housing conditions also vary by island. An approved island land-use plan guides safe placement. A plot should generally be at least 20 metres from the coast, including coastal vegetation and the access road; 30 metres is the preferred oceanward distance and 50 metres may be appropriate in highly exposed areas. A house should generally stand 30 to 60 centimetres above the road, with greater elevation on flood-prone plots. Water, sewerage and electricity depend on the island and project. Maldivian citizens have a constitutional socio-economic right to housing under Article 23, but that progressive right does not create an immediate entitlement to a particular unit. State dwellings can be withdrawn after repeated breaches of applicable laws or conditions. Moving, ending a tenancy, changing a public-housing allocation or handing over a strata apartment follows the relevant lease, allocation instrument or title documents.