Renting longer than a month in Colombia

jh816 says on Feb 15, 2008, 09:04:

Even offering rent upfront won't usually get you a place. Before I bought my place, I was offering 6 months upfront and noone would accept. It gets a little easier if you can talk with owners, but still pretty tough.

Pedro and I lived in a place over here in Laureles for a while. I forgot the number to the landlord, he probably still has it. They let us sign a lease with just passports and put down a month security.

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azunoman says on Feb 15, 2008, 09:20:

My brother in law owns a home in Laureles, so I guess if required to put up property inside the country, that would suffice. We eventually plan on buying, but don't want to rush into anything .so we might just end up at a hotel.

We basically want one of those homes, behind the green wooden door and white walls that has a courtyard surrounded by our living quarters....I like my stuff private, one big naked room...jajajajaja

I really don't understand the thought process on renting there other than they either have 1) no rental/property laws 2) they have them but the favor the renter 3) heck if I know....

We are arriving Medellin Feb 22 for nine days, should get a better feel for the market then.

Ready, Fire, Aim

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Robert Jorge says on Feb 15, 2008, 09:48:

The potential problem with paying a landlord a big chunk of the rent up front in Colombia is that you expose yourself to getting ripped off. A landlord could take your 9 or 12 months worth of rent, let a couple of days go by, and then stick a new tenant in the apartment. What are you going to do about? What can you do about it? I suppose the solution would be to make the transaction at a notary.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Frank Rizzo says on Feb 15, 2008, 10:07:

Yeah..RJ, i guess that's possible...but usually the worry is on the owner. As an owner of several properties in colombia, i'd not rent to anyone to even with paying a year up front and signers. It's just too risky for many reasons.

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morphus says on Feb 15, 2008, 10:14:

What are the risks? What do they do in Colombia if the tenant stops paying rent? Here in New York, you can live a year or more in an apartment building after you stop paying rent. I doubt its the same in Colombia.

I never had a problem finding an apartment in Medellin.

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Frank Rizzo says on Feb 15, 2008, 10:25:

ummmm.....for me personally the risks are that the phone and utilities can always be put back to the owner, that any illegal activity in colombia in a house might at worst get an action on a property and at least make a property an address of interest.

Additionally, the places are completely remodeled to a standard that i'd not like someone to ruin. So, any deposit would not come close to repairs.

Actually, Morphus from what my atty tells me...it's not so simple to just kick people out....I know there are ways in colombia to get people out. But legally I think the tenants have quite a bit of rights....i'd like to know if anyone has more info on this too...????

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morphus says on Feb 15, 2008, 10:51:

Either way, I don't see gringos putting up much fight in a foreign country. If the money runs out, they would just go back home.

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azunoman says on Feb 15, 2008, 15:37:

morphus....yea..when the money runs out...jajajajajaja...or even after the money runs out...poorbuthappy....guniea pig and plantanes....

I am sure that my wife and I can come to some arrangement when the time comes. Via la Sheraton for now....The have a full accessible bathroom!

So happy that I married into a huge Colombian family, going to make this entire process so much nicer...and yes, notary...that is the ticket...we really do want to keep things honest and fair.

Keep an eye out for my, "drinks are on me post".

Only one more week and we will be in Medellin, my first trip. Of course my mother/sister and brother in law are coming up form Cali.

Ready, Fire, Aim

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