Start with a mix of channels. Local property agents who specialize in long-term (rather than holiday) rentals often have listings that never make it to public sites, and expat and parent Facebook groups for areas like Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, or Umalas are where a lot of villas get passed along by word of mouth before an agent even lists them. Walking or driving the neighborhood you like and asking around also works, since many owners rent directly without an agent. Try to see a property in person, ideally during rain, since photos rarely show drainage problems or damp walls.
Before signing, understand what you're actually renting. Foreigners can't own land outright, so villas are leased, and you want a written agreement, not a handshake, laying out the term (usually a year, sometimes longer with a discount), what happens at renewal, and exactly what's included: pool and garden maintenance, wifi speed, backup power for outages, and whether water comes from a well or the municipal supply. Check the roof, screens, and drainage carefully if you're moving in before rainy season, and ask other renters in the compound or neighborhood how the landlord handles repairs.
For families specifically, think about daily logistics as much as the villa itself: distance to school runs, whether the road floods, how reliable the internet is for remote work, and whether there's a safe area for kids to play outside. Ask for references or reviews from previous tenants if you can, and have a local friend, agent, or lawyer look over the lease before you pay a deposit. Building a relationship with the landlord matters too, since a lot of long-term rentals in Bali run on trust, and getting problems fixed quickly often comes down to how well you get along.
Have a follow-up about your own situation?
Ask the Knowmads family guide