Haggle Over Rent?

53POSTS

7 years ago

I am not overly familiar with the customs in regards to renting an apartment or home in Mexico. In general terms, is the amount the landlord is asking for firm or are they expecting you to haggle with them and eventually agree upon a monthly rent to pay?

Please excuse my ignorance but I know when it comes to things like this sometimes the process differs from country to country.

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travellight VIP Member

2460POSTS

7 years ago

Halfwaytree wrote:
I am not overly familiar with the customs in regards to renting an apartment or home in Mexico. In general terms, is the amount the landlord is asking for firm or are they expecting you to haggle with them and eventually agree upon a monthly rent to pay?

Please excuse my ignorance but I know when it comes to things like this sometimes the process differs from country to country.

So halfway,

My experience is that they sort of expect the stated rent cost, but are not surprised if you make a counteroffer. They will engage in a back and forth to some extent, but don't think its a common expected process. It can happen, but may not. It usually comes down to what you pay for and what they agree to cover.聽聽In my case, they had a fixed price, where the wiggle room came in was what I would pay for. At this point, they cover trash and city water and all repairs not related to my use. I pay the electric bill,

Be careful and very clear about what you cover in detail. I talked to one expat who thought he was paying for only his electric bill and it turned out he was paying the electric bill of everyone in the apartment building. That's where a contract can protect you both. The biggest risk for that sort of thing is an apartment.

Halfwaytree Active member

53POSTS

7 years ago

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated!

GuestPoster1197023 Guest

0POSTS

7 years ago

Hi "Halfwaytree", my experience in my area, owners have a rate for monthly rentals because lots of Mexicans come for short period to work or is higher because it's for snowbirds (less than 6 months)聽 so negotiating is possible if for year-round rentals.

As "travellight" said, be aware of what you pay especially the electricity (mine is included in the rent because no specific meter to my apartment.
In my area, a clear contract is usually written on the standard rental/lease form (arrendamiento) in Spanish which includes the "codigo civil" articles to ensure protection of both parties.

Also, if you are happy with the amount and what is provided then you're in business.

Adios y buen dia a todos, GyC.

Halfwaytree Active member

53POSTS

7 years ago

Thanks for that mexicogc. Good to know!

christiannavarette Member

3POSTS

7 years ago

As a Mexican and as a landlord myself, I can tell you that we generally have two different rental rates in mind. One is for a Mexican renter and the other is for an expat American; I will always accept a lower rent from an expat American. So my advice is be sure to push聽 on the landlord and see if you can get it for less. There's one notable exception to this rule: some of this will depend on where you plan to live. In Mexico City and, to a lesser degree, Guadalajara landlords often ask for a guarantor. Most expats will arrive here without one, unless they'e come here at the direction of an employer, so expats will often be asked for a larger deposit. Being willing to pay, for example, two months rent as a security deposit will often result in lower monthly rental rate. Good luck and enjoy your time here.

Halfwaytree Active member

53POSTS

7 years ago

Thanks for your valuable information christiannavarette. I will keep what you said with me on my search for a place to live.

Kolobog58 Member

13POSTS

7 years ago

In San Miguel de Allende聽 there聽 is聽 no haggling over rent.聽 However聽 if聽 you聽 do not聽 speak聽 Spanish聽 there聽 is聽 a聽 price聽 for聽 "tourists"聽 and聽 there聽 is聽 a price聽 for聽 "Spanish speaking".聽 I聽 relocated聽 to San Miguel de Allende聽 from New York聽 City聽 over a year and a half ago.聽 Since then聽 I聽 have聽 refreshed聽 my Spanish skills聽 since I聽 am聽 Puerto Rican聽 but have spoken English all of my life.聽 I聽 have聽 learned in the first few months that renting can be tricky with many landlords who just like the tienditas, will聽 take advantage of non聽 Spanish speakers.聽 You can pay more for chicken聽 if you ask in English聽 while I can pay much lower if I ask in Spanish.聽 Renting聽 is聽 the same situation with many landlords.聽 I聽 was聽 offered an apartment for $400.00 US (8000聽 pesos)聽聽but when聽 I聽 objected in Spanish,聽 the landlord lowered the rent to $300.00聽 (7000 pesos).聽 Haggling聽 for produce聽 is much easier then it is to haggle for rent. I聽 hope this helps to answer your question.聽 Please consider learning Spanish as it will聽 make聽 your life so much easier in Mexico.

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Halfwaytree Active member

53POSTS

7 years ago

Thanks Kolobog58. You make a good point which I will carry with me. I need to learn and become as proficient in Spanish as possible.

I'm a little like you. My mother was Cuban but I spoke English all my life so Spanish does not come natural to me.