What It's Really Like to Rent a House in Bali as a Family

When you sign a 12-month lease in Bali, you quickly learn that you’re not just “renting a house” — you’re essentially stepping into the role of caretaker. For us, that’s meant that the day-to-day maintenance is our responsibility, while anything structural stays with the landlord. Honestly, we’ve been lucky — apart from a few dodgy toilet situations and a couple of leaky roof dramas, there hasn’t been much to worry about. And when something does pop up, we’ve got the best tukang (handyman) on speed dial. If you’ve never seen an Indonesian tukang in action, you’re missing out. They rock up in thongs, armed with a single screwdriver, and somehow manage to fix absolutely anything. They’re the plumber, electrician, pool guy, carpenter, and all-round problem solver — rolled into one. Literal magicians. We’re also lucky to have a landlord who steps up when it counts, covering the costs for bigger fixes like the roof and organising the tukang when it’s something structural. While we always let the landlord know and ask before making changes, the reality is that with a long-term lease, you carry a lot of the responsibility anyway. It’s a different style of renting than we were used to back home — but there’s something satisfying about making a place your own, caring for it, and knowing a guy who can fix anything with a smile and a screwdriver. #BaliLife #BaliFamilyFinds #BaliLiving #BaliTips #MovingToBali #BaliRental #BaliWithKids #SanurBali #BaliVillaLife #BaliExpatLife #FamilyTravelBali #BaliHolidayVibes #BaliGuide