7 replies to this topic

[cinematic]

I was chatting with the owner of a house in Playas. The house rents for 400.00 per month. To lease the house I had two options.
(A) co-signer (Mexican citizen that owns a business or property in Mexico) plus first and last months rent. Total $800.00
( no co-singer. Move in fees were 3 months rent (as security deposit), plus one months rent. Total $1600.00
Is this standard?

[Tj 4 Rent]

A lot of people ask for a co-signor who owns property

I don't and others don't either.

If you look around you can find rentals for first months rent and a security deposit equal to one months rent.

There are more and more landlords and property managment firms in Tijuana asking for a credit check and a credit check fee. I don't and I know a lot of other owners don't either.

You just have to take your time and look around until you find what you want.

I specialize in renting temporary apartments to people who want to move to Mexico. I rent on a month to month basis and provide advice and assistance to help find your dream home in Mexico.

[vagabundo]

I was chatting with the owner of a house in Playas. The house rents for 400.00 per month. To lease the house I had two options.
(A) co-signer (Mexican citizen that owns a business or property in Mexico) plus first and last months rent. Total $800.00
( no co-singer. Move in fees were 3 months rent (as security deposit), plus one months rent. Total $1600.00
Is this standard?

Three months rent for the deposit is too much money to put down. Sounds to me like this person renting the house might be planning on pocketing some of the deposit when you move out.

If you don't have a fiador to guarantee the lease then most rental companies here in playas will ask for 2 months rent as a deposit. I don't have a fiador as well, so for 2 of the 3 houses that I've rented here I had to put down double the normal deposit. Also, if another party is renting the house or apartment for the owner you will have to pay a commission fee to the third party. Normally the commission is half of one months rent.

[George Costanza]

On some leases in TJ they require to have a Mexican Co signer and if you don't you end up getting hosed on the deposit. Worse case I have heard is 3 months rent as deposit but most cases around 500 big ones for a place renting for 300.

[Pieancho]

I have bought a La Perla Residencial house and it is scheduled to be ready in mid-Oct. I met the neighor across the street from me last week. He has lived there since the beginning. He said he knows at least three different families paying $1,500 (dollars) per month. I met another person eariler who was paying $1,350. I may be renting mine instead of moving in. I haven't decided as yet. Anyone interested in renting?

[andy]

I also have a house being built in La Perla (Bahia). It will be ready in December.

I wouldn't count on those houses being ready in December. If they are, it will be the first time ever that the developers of La Perla are ready on time.

Make sure you have a back up plan so that you are not without a place to live if/when the house is late.

[andy]

Make sure you read the contract carefully. Unless the developers of La Perla changed the contract from phase 1, there are a couple of loopholes for them to get out of paying the late fees.

1. The previous contract stated that you must pay the FULL balance of the house (and all downpayment amounts) by the expected completion date. Then they hold your money until the house is ready and then apply the payment to the balance owed. If you don't make all of your agreed down payments and final balance on time, they don't owe you any late fees.

2. The previous contract did not state how the late fees would be paid. I have heard from others that they would not pay the fees or reduce the balance owed, only allow a credit for upgrades using the late fees.

[Jarocho]

Don't think anyone should pay more than rent x 2 to move into a place in TJ. If you find a place through an agency you're more than likely to get ask to find a "fiador" (someone who owns land in TJ) to sign. If you find a place on your own you're more likely to deal DIRECTLY with the owner and get a better deal (on both rent + deposit). If the owner does not accept your offer, you should find another place. There are plenty of places for rent.

Jarocho