Total Uruguay Expat eBook
My Experience Renting Apartments in Montevideo
Lee  | | You could be lucky enough to live on one of Montevideo's tree lined streets! | I have lived in four different apartments in Montevideo and have learned different things about the rental process each time. I can't imagine having been able to write about how to rent an apartment in Montevideo any sooner. Here is a summary of my rental experiences:
Upon arrival in Montevideo 4 years ago I checked into the Pocitos Plaza Hotel and immediately looked for a 1 bedroom, furnished apartment. I looked at 3 or 4 and chose one. Within a couple days I was out of the hotel and had an apartment for 3 months. The owner accepted a 2 months deposit (US$700). Though the deposit seemed steep to me at the time, I figured that even if I never got the deposit back, the total cost of renting and deposit for 3 months beat the cost of a hotel room, so I stopped worrying.
Except for the lack of heat and being very small, it was an excellent apartment. Moving out was simple. The owner looked around the apartment and was happy with the condition. He then spent about 5 minutes with the bills and a calculator. He estimated the prorated amount for the bills that hadn't arrived yet. I paid him that in Pesos and he counted out 7 crisp US$100 bills for my deposit.
The second apartment I rented for 6 months with an option for 6 months more. I paid the owner a 3 month deposit. The apartment was very nice. Great view. Great heat. A little small, but not too bad. Unfortunately, the furniture left a lot to be desired.
Twice I renewed the lease. The first time the option was in the contract, which was an oral renewal. The second time they made a new lease. I then arranged with the owners to stay a couple more months. The rent stayed the same for the whole 20 or so months I stayed.
Moving out day was a bit less pleasant than the first time. The owners and their real estate agent were going over the inventory list with a fine tooth comb. At one point they even went to test a boom box that had been listed on the inventory. My real estate agent noted that the inventory list didn't indicate that it worked!
Most importantly was the deposit. When my real estate agent arrived, she asked the owner if he had the deposit. The owner mumbled something about the bills and returning the deposit after the electric bill came (close to a month in the future). My real estate agent then said that we would just keep the keys until that time. The owner immediately left to go to the bank!  |  | | You might see anything.....this is George W Bush in a limo! | Or, an Ombu tree. I think this would be a much better view. |
My real estate agent then sat down with the bills and first calculated how much I had paid for utilities for before I lived there. Then calculated my average usage and an estimate of the prorated amount I had yet to receive bills for. The stunning total about 400 Pesos (US$20). The owner wanted to hold on to my US$1350 deposit to secure that!
When the owner returned my real estate agent showed him the bill calculations and offered him 1000 pesos to cover the costs. He didn't look at the calculations but accepted the offer. I didn't quite understand if the 1000 Pesos was a payment or a deposit to cover the bills... I never got any change.
Although there were a few missing things, a spoon and a broken glass I think. The owners didn't want me to pay any damages. I received my deposit in full that day. Had my real estate agent not been present to help me move out, I don't believe I would have received my deposit back that day.
My third apartment was an unfurnished apartment and the deposit was paid at the Banco Hipotecario del Uruguay. It was in a newer building, maybe 8 years old. Though unfurnished the inventory list was much longer than my last two apartments. Signing the lease and moving in was a smooth process but a long wait at the bank.
I was never very happy with this apartment. The central losa didn't make it comfortably warm. I don't know how you can judge the heat before you actually live there. The electric and plumbing was under par. Some electrical outlets never worked. The threads on the shower were incompatible with any shower heads you could purchase (that turned into a near disaster). The hot water tank broke (our real estate agent had us deduct the cost of replacing it from the rent).
At the end of the first year, it was time to renew the lease or move, I decided to renew as rental prices had spiked and there was nothing available for a similar price. At the end of 2 years, the owner wanted a 30% increase in rent, so I went in search of my 4th apartment.
On move out day I was a bit worried. The inventory list was extremely detailed and I hadn't been happy with the electric and plumbing. I had changed a dimmer to a regular switch when it broke. Also, a new sofa had damaged the floor with a staple that had been stuck in the bottom. After my experience in the previous apartment with the owner going over the inventory list in great detail, I imagined an argument over each electrical outlet and mark on the wall.
I anticipated a long tedious process of going through the inventory and explaining things. So, on the way up the elevator I explained to the owner that there was a problem with the floor. After looking at it, she said, "oh, the floor need some work anyway". She then had a superficial look around the apartment and said everything was ok! her only worry was about the final electric bill (which was in my name).
 |  | | Maybe you'll live within walking distance of Punta Carretas Shopping (shown here) or Montevideo Shopping. | Almost without a doubt your apartment will have a unique entrance. Some of the doors are so large and heavy they are hard to open. |
The fourth apartment (where I live now) was easy to find, but a bit nerve wracking to rent. The process seemed to drag on for days (and I had a deadline to move by) and I was worried that some last minute problem would have left me without any place to live.
Everything worked out perfectly and the owners went beyond what I had expected by repainting the walls, sanding the floors and even changing some of the plumbing fixtures! The building is 54 years old and the only possible problem with the heat is that it could be described as too warm. The Gastos Comunes are cheaper than the last place too (because there are more floors so the expense is split between more apartments).
Everything worked out perfectly and the owners went beyond what I had expected by re painting the walls, sanding the floors and even changing some of the plumbing fixtures! The building is 54 years old and the only possible problem with the heat is that it could be described as too warm. The gastos comunes are cheaper than the last place too (because there are more floors so the expense is split between more apartments). When it comes to the real estate agents (inmobiliarias) I've never had any luck contacting them by email. I either get no response or they offer to show me any property other than the one I want to see! There doesn't seem to be any multi-list service (ie. a database of ALL properties available), but you can probably have any real estate agent show you any of the properties listed on buscandocasa.com. My best advice is to find an agent you are comfortable with - ask around to friends and contacts for someone they recommend. If you don't speak Spanish don't feel you are limited to only English-speaking inmobiliarias, ask a friend to help you out. Owners offering their property directly will probably not be interested in speaking with a real estate agent, in this case (if you can't communicate) a Spanish-speaking friend may be essential. Here are a two of the real estate agents I have used and been happy with:
Andrea Cid, Cel: 099-195-832. andrea [at] grupodelcastillo.com . She speaks a little English but best of all she actually keeps appointments and turns up on time which is rare!
Maria Teresa (I'm not sure of her last night), she doesn't speak English but they got me a very good deal and I was satisfied with her service. Cel: 099-984-746. Phone: 710-5294 [once I find her card he name will be added here] You might also want to check out the neighborhood where you are interested in renting at night and the wee hours in the morning. Nightlife can start very late here and during the day there may be no hint of what happens at 3am. Some places may seem lovely at 7 pm but come 3 am there could be a raucous bar open or the area may have a very different feel at night than during the day. I have spoken to many people about finding and renting apartments here and there has been a wide variety of experiences from truly awful to incredible simple and straightforward. I think the best tips I could offer are: - Don't let inmobiliarias or owners take advantage of you. Although in the initial search you may feel panicked or under pressure DO NOT RUSH. There are plenty of apartments and a good realtor will help you find it.
- Pay close attention to the type of heating in your building, it does get cold during winter and its not nice to be locked in to a lease for a cold apartment! Read my article under that link as your first order of business!
- If placing a significant security deposit be sure to do so in the Banco Hipotecario del
Uruguay, fighting to get your deposit back will leave a very bitter taste in your mouth! - Consider older buildings. Some people assume that newer is better but Uruguay was previously one of the most affluent countries in the world. Some of the older buildings dating from the 50's, 60's and maybe even the 20's and 30's are better built with thicker walls and better overall workmanship.
My Experience Renting Apartments in Montevideo
Total Uruguay Expat eBook
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