Lets change the topic: Renting property in Colombia

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 6, 2005, 14:01:

A couple things Watch out for:

Punative ending terms, for example, some leases will charge you 3 months to terminate a lease, even after the term of the lease is done.

Who pays maintainence? Buildings in Estrato 5 and 6 areas charge as much as $100 - $200 US per month that is basically a condo fee. Try to get the landlord to cover it.

If furnished, inventory everything and take pictures of the condition of things.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 6, 2005, 14:02:

Maureen, renting is probably your best option at this time. I would locate a good, dependable real estate agent (inmobiliaria) in the city/town where you are planning to live (Armenia, right?) and find out what they have to offer. I don't think it's going to be difficult since your fiancé is Colombian and will be able to give local references. The usual thing is two co-signors, each homeowners and with a certified income. This may vary from one inmobiliaria to another (some are more flexible).

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Atrevido says on Aug 6, 2005, 14:41:

Vigilante If you are interested in a particular residential area go there and find the vigilante (that's easy, they only cover a couple of blocks) and ask him if anything's for rent. They always know and you will find out about places that may not have a sign in the window.

The tough part about renting in smaller places like Armenia and Manizales is that there are few listings in the paper. My wife and I checked out Manizales hold up in a hotel for a few days and only found about four places to even look at and none of them were appealing or conveiently located. Another time I looked into moving to Loja, Ecuador and had the same problem. If you don't mind living in a hotel for a month or two or have a friend to stay with on sight you'll have some options but if you want to find something in a week it's tough.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 6, 2005, 14:49:

the local newspaper has probably plenty of apartments and houses listed for rent. Finding a place to rent shouldn't be difficult at all.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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2retirensa says on Aug 6, 2005, 15:01:

Desi How can you be charged 3 months rent to end a lease that has ended? What happens if you just leave?
Desi, you are right, I'm not anticipating problems renting since my novios relatives in Armenia are on the wealthy side of the family (we are from the poor side of the family!!).
Since my novio has owned his home for 40 years, he's to nice, and I'm not sure what to look out for- I need to be really knowledgable. (He ALWAYS asks me how I know so much, or how I know more than he does!Thanks to PBH)

Surely there are others needing the same info. I personally want to know an area well before buying. Buying, selling, and moving in Colombia is not as easy as it is here. Since I am not able to buy in the very best barrio,(and you buy the whole barrio, not just your house), I really want to know where I want to spend my last days! Research takes time.
Maureen

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 6, 2005, 15:28:

you're right I would do just the same, rent first and look around meanwhile trying to find the perfect place to live. I don't know about that three-month penalty, never heard of it. When I signed my house over to the inmobiliaria it was already tenanted and the previous owner recommended the people living there being very punctual with the rent, however, the agency still wanted them to produce the documents required, a proof of ownership on real estate and employment records. I believe they were a bit flexible since the family managed to produce only one co-signor with property and the other one was a relative. I was required to sign an insurance policy that'd pay three months of rent in case the tenants split without paying and an insurance on utilities in case they didn't get paid. All this plus the commission amounts to about 13% of the rent. As far as I know the tenants just have to pay the rent on time, the utilities and report any damage to the house. I've had some problem with a leaking roof that I've had to authorize monies for the reparations several times during these last two years but since the amounts have been so small I don't think it has been a problem.

When I was living in Colombia the first time we rented from an inmobilaria and the requirements were basically the ones that I already mentioned. Colombian homes (when not rented furnished) have basically nothing except the roof and the walls, plus bathroom facilities such as showers and toilets (with seats). No fridge, no stove, not even a light bulb hanging from the ceiling.

Take your time and look around. You'll find a nice, safe barrio with plenty of street lights and find out if they have a neighborhood watch. Not just a vigilante with an old machete and a whistle but patrol on wheels and communications.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 6, 2005, 15:30:

gringo, that has not been my experience with the agencies. I've been both a renter and a homeowner and have always been met with courtesy and punctuality by them. However, ask around to find a good agent that is dependable and effective. I found mine through friends.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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juanalejo says on Aug 6, 2005, 16:52:

Rental Agreements The traditional rental agreement, which you can buy at any "papeleria" and simply fill out the blanks, states that the agreement is for one year and that if neither of the parties advice the end of the agreement 3 months in advance it will automatically renew itself. For cancelling out of time the law states that the party interested in finishing the agreement must pay the ammount up to the end of the agreement, that includes the owner also. You can according to the law write out your own contract, just be careful with what you write. Most multinational companies rent out at a leave without notice agreement, but then again they pay premium price for that type of agreement.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 7, 2005, 13:17:

you're probably right that if you contacted an inmobiliaria first and worked with only one you'd be limiting your choices. I'd talk to people and find out which three or four agencies were best, most dependable and had houses in good areas of town and then I'd call all of them and make appointments to see any specific place they recommended in the barrio that I wanted to live in.

Of course, you can rent directly from the owner and don't need an inmobiliaria. But that takes some knowledge of the town, the neighborhoods and of course, good Spanish skills. You'd read the avisos clasificados, call people and make appointments.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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