Asking rent versus existing-contract rent: why both can be right

Identify what the source observes

A listing records an asking price under advertised conditions, not necessarily the final agreed rent. A contract survey may record amounts paid by existing tenants, including older agreements. Keep those labels separate. A mismatch does not automatically prove that either source is wrong; they may answer different questions about the same city.

Build a comparable newcomer scenario

For your intended move, look for the same property type, lease length, furnishing, location and included bills. Remove duplicates if computing a sample statistic and retain the sample definition and date. A handful of attractive listings is not automatically representative of the whole market. Do not invent a completed-contract median from advertised prices or assume a universal negotiation discount.

Use context without promising availability

Existing-contract statistics can explain the housing stock and provide context, while suitable current quotes help price your own options. Show the two evidence types separately rather than averaging them into an unexplained number. Availability, applicant requirements and final terms still need checking. Even a correctly computed asking-rent median does not guarantee an apartment at that price.

Sources and further reading

• Lifovra — methodology and limitations