When renting an apartment in Uruguay, there are a couple of things you should be aware of. The actual sitting down and examining/negotiating on the contract is not difficult in itself. The terms are usually straightforward and in general there are only 4 parties involved: you, your realtor, the landlord, and the landlord’s realtor.

In Uruguay every contract includes a deposit equal to 3–5 months of rent, plus the payment of 1 month’s rent in advance and the service fee to the realtor which is equal to 1 month’s rent. So, be prepared to fork over a large chunk of change right off the bat. If you are planning on staying in the apartment for less than a year the deposit may go down, but in general 5 months is the standard.

When looking into an apartment it is important to ask about “Gastos Comunes” which means Common Costs. These are paid separately from the rent and cover building maintenance, the doorman, lighting in the common areas and hallways and an elevator (if there is one). It is also important to ask if gas and electricity are included, and what the payment plan is if they are not. Also remember to ask if there are any outstanding bills on the apartment from previous renters such as electricity or water, as the company could end up trying to stick you with the bill.

Apartments in Uruguay come furnished, partially furnished and completely empty, so make sure and ask what furnishings are included in yours. Partially furnished usually only have a stove and a fridge, while fully furnished will include that and furniture and kitchenware.

Remember – furnishings may not include sheets or towels, so make sure you bring those with you as they are WAY more expensive in Uruguay. (We’re talking like US $90 for a plain old queen set.)

Make sure you at least attempt to negotiate the rent. They expect it. They may try to charge more because you are a foreigner, so stand your ground and compare with other apartments. Ask around to find out what other people are paying for rent before deciding if you got the best deal or not. Chances are if you express your reservations about the rent price it may go down anywhere from 10 – 20% of the original asking price.

Related posts:

• Tips for Deciding Where to Live in Uruguay