Rents in Georgia's price index rose 10.9% in a year, almost twice headline inflation

Rents in Georgia's consumer price index were 10.9% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, up from 8.4% in August, according to Geostat's release of 2 October. Headline inflation stayed at 5.6%. The National Bank of Georgia, which kept its policy rate at 8.25% in September, next meets on 21 October.

Other housing costs also rose faster than prices overall. Electricity, gas and other fuels rose 10.5%, and maintenance and repair of dwellings 9.8% (Geostat). The August comparisons come from Geostat's August release.

What the figure measures

The CPI rent item tracks rents paid for dwellings in Geostat's national price sample, measured in lari. It is not an index of new asking rents in Batumi or Tbilisi, and short-term stays are recorded elsewhere in the CPI. Where a rent is agreed in dollars, exchange-rate moves also change its value in lari.

What it means in practice

• Tenants renewing a lease: 10.9% is a national CPI change for residential rents, not a rule for any individual lease. Compare a proposed increase with current listings for similar flats in your district.
• Owners and investors: costs are rising almost as fast as rents. Update both sides when you calculate net yield, especially utilities and repairs if you pay them, as is common with short-term letting.
• Borrowers: in September the National Bank said it would raise the rate moderately if inflation expectations started to rise (NBG). That is a condition, not a forecast for 21 October.

Limitations

One month's acceleration does not establish a trend. The release does not split rents by city or say whether yields have improved.