Tenancy agreement: what the law requires and how to give notice

Updated 05.10.2026.

Renting a flat in Latvia is governed by Dzīvojamo telpu īres likums (Residential Tenancy Law). Whatever it does not cover falls under Civillikums (Civil Law) (article 2, paragraph 2). The articles of the law are given in brackets.

The agreement is always in writing and for a fixed term

The tenancy agreement is made in writing (article 7), and it is the only basis for living in a rented flat (article 6). An oral arrangement gives no rights to either the tenant or the landlord.

The agreement is made for a fixed term (article 9), for example one year. The law sets neither a minimum nor a maximum term.

The agreement is changed only in writing, by agreement of both parties (article 8, paragraph 5). Oral promises about a new rent or other terms are not binding.

What the agreement must contain

The law requires five things (article 8, paragraph 1):

the address, floor area and description of the flat;
the term of the agreement;
the rent, how and by which date it is paid, and in which cases and how the rent may be changed;
the services you receive (for example heating, water, waste collection), their price and how they are paid for;
details of the persons who live with you.

The agreement can also contain other terms, for example on subletting, on whether you may renovate, or on whether you may keep pets (article 8, paragraph 2). A good agreement also sets the amount of the security deposit (drošības nauda) and how it is returned, and the contact addresses, including email, because notice can be sent to the email address given in the agreement (article 27, paragraph 5).

Who may live in the flat

The tenant may move in a spouse and children after informing the landlord in writing in advance. Other persons only with the landlord's written consent (article 14). All persons are entered in the agreement. If people live in the flat who are not named in the agreement and whom the landlord has not agreed to, the landlord can terminate the agreement (article 23).

Changing the rent

During the agreement, the rent can be changed only if the agreement sets out the conditions and procedure for changing it (article 10, paragraph 3). If the agreement says nothing about this, the landlord cannot raise the rent unilaterally during the agreement; it can only be done by written agreement of both parties.

Check exactly what the agreement says. A clear clause states how often the rent can be changed (for example once a year), how far in advance you must be told, and on what basis it is calculated (for example the consumer price index or a fixed percentage). A clause saying "the landlord may change the rent at any time" is unclear, and it is worth discussing before you sign.

The building management fee (apsaimniekošanas maksa) and utility payments can be included in the rent if this is agreed in writing (article 10, paragraph 2). How they are paid is set by the agreement (article 11).

Notice from the tenant

The tenant can withdraw from the agreement unilaterally at any time (article 20). The tenant must give the landlord written notice at least one month in advance if the agreement was made for up to 10 years (article 27, paragraph 1). If the landlord does not hand over the flat for use, interferes with its use or does not maintain the building, the tenant can withdraw immediately by giving written notice (article 27, paragraph 2).

Notice from the landlord

The landlord can terminate the agreement only in the cases named in the law (article 21):

the tenant or persons living with them damage the flat or the building, use the flat for other purposes or make it impossible for the neighbours to live there (article 22);
persons who are not in the agreement live in the flat without the landlord's consent (article 23);
rent arrears exceed two months' rent, or other payments are more than two months late, unless the agreement sets a higher permitted amount (article 24);
the building is demolished or rebuilt and cannot be lived in (article 25);
a decision under building procedures prohibits use of the building (article 26).

The notice period is at least one month in the cases under articles 23 and 24. In the case of demolition or rebuilding, it is one month if the agreement is for up to one year, and three months if the agreement is for one to three years (article 27, paragraph 3). In the case of rebuilding or demolition, the landlord must cover the moving costs (article 25, paragraph 2).

In the notice before going to court, the landlord must name the unmet obligation, the period of delay, the amount owed and the consequences (article 27, paragraph 6).

A sale is not a ground for the landlord to terminate the agreement, but the agreement binds the new owner only if it is registered in the Land Register (zemesgrāmata) (article 28). There is a separate article on this.

If the landlord interferes

The tenant has the right to use the flat undisturbed (article 13). If the landlord prevents use of the flat or cuts off heating, electricity, water, sewerage or waste collection, a natural person can be fined up to 280 fine units (article 42), which is up to 1,400 euros, as one unit is 5 euros (Administratīvās atbildības likums (Law on Administrative Liability), article 16). You can report this to the State Police or the municipal police (article 43).