11 replies to this topic

[kristashawn]

We have decided to put in an application to rent a house, and may be signing a contract soon! Before we do, we would really like to hear as many tips/cautions/pieces of advice that you all have to offer. We know that we need to ask to see the electric bill before we move in. What else should be on our checklist that we might not be aware of?

[Mary Ellen]

You need to drive around the neighborhood at various times of the day and night especially if you are near the border.  And I feel secure parking is a must.  Make sure you have someone read the contract (which will probably be in Spanish).  

[Keyno]

Make sure your deposit is refunded if apartment is left as it was when you moved in. And try the lights and water, bathroom, shower even, before agreeing to rent.

[HK70]

If I were you I would spend some time in TJ and practice your commute to and from work at the exact hours that you plan on doing it everyday from the place you plan on renting. This will tell you what it will be like doing the grind everyday because traffic in TJ can be horrible and I am not even talking about having to cross the border. Make sure you feel combfortable in the community that you plan on renting. I would not sign a long-term lease the shorter the better so you can find something else if you are not happy. Moving is a pain so making a good choice on where to live is extremely important especially if you plan to cross the border everyday. Have someone who knows Spanish read your lease.  Get receipts for any deposits.

 

 

[Miggiesmallz- TEXMEX]

Yes, Kenyo and HK are right on with the deposits, keep your receipts and ask questions about how it works.  I got screwed out of an $800 deposit for an apartment I was renting through a bienes raices agency.  Aparently they gave the $800 deposit to the owner of the building I lived in and when I moved out three years later and I tried to recoup my deposit, the agency was having a hard time collecting it from the owner of the building despite me leaving the apartment in good condition. The owner didn't live in the building and was pretty much an absenttee landlord so I had no way to contact him myself directly.   They told me over and over again that they would return me my deposit as soon as they collected it from the owner, but it never happened.  Just be careful with that and ask questions is my advice.

[HK70]

Yes your are correct on deposits. Don't think that your deposits are set aside with your name on it waiting for your future move out day. Many of these land lords are juggling multiple rentals so your deposit will be used to pay someone leaving one of their other rentals or if they are not trustworthy you will never see it.

[tijuanahopeful]

I have a landlord (slumlord) here in San Diego that never returns deposits, he uses them for his vacations.  He's getting ready to leave for Hawaii for his latest vacation.  Most people where I live just move out without paying rent, and that takes care of the problem.

[Miggiesmallz- TEXMEX]

If I had known that was going to happen to me I would have done the same.  At least in San Diego I could have filed a small claims court case,  I don't know if I could have done the same in TJ through the ministerio publico since I never tried.

[Mary Ellen]

Most people I know here in TJ and Rosarito never get their deposits back.  I would rent in a place that is accustomed to dealing with Americans otherwise you might have issues with no hot water, questionable neighbors and other things that Mexicans don't think are important and don't complain about.   I read somewhere that the average American who moves across the border moves 2.5 times the first year due to the above.  I think that's true because I've moved 3 times within 2 years; 2 times the first year. The first year problems ranged from questionable people living in my building since the owner didn't check ID and the 2nd place I had no hot water at least 50% of the time although i paid for it.   I paid a $250 deposit on the 2nd apartment and I made sure when I left that there are a huge electric bill (the bill was in the landlord's name).  

[HK70]

That is another good point if you are living in an apartment complex and they are not asking you to fill out an application and there is no screening process, no requirement of a fiador or proof that you can make rent then that is a good sign that any dirt bag can rent there and is probably not a place I would want to live.

[tijuanahopeful]

That is another good point if you are living in an apartment complex and they are not asking you to fill out an application and there is no screening process, no requirement of a fiador or proof that you can make rent then that is a good sign that any dirt bag can rent there and is probably not a place I would want to live.

 

That sounds almost like where I live in San Diego.  They have a very basic application, no screening process, and only want proof of income to move in.  So technically, they rent to anyone who shows proof of income, and in my five years in this place, I've seen a lot of dirt bags come and go.  The place next door to me just got rented to a young kid, and he's already had friends over that were very loud.  I saw him outside and asked to keep the noise down, because I work shifts. 

[kristashawn]

Thanks for all the feedback!