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Temporary rents some tips that may help

Written byElenayeson 18 May 2010

Hello everyone!!!

First of all thank you for reading my post, I acually work in a temporary rental agency and realized that there are some issues that are unclear to some costumers, that's why I decided to make them as clear as possible:


PRICES

While renting to an agency, and mostly in long term rentals, we are asked to make discounts, usually and depending on the length of the stay you may get between a 15 to 20 % discount, but I wanted to advice that in some cases (like apartments below 600 U$S, month) the owner 'which are the ones that make the final decision- do not agree to make it, not because they don't want, its just that the price they offer is the minimum they can get to pay all the taxes, services (water, gas, expenses, etc) and to get a small something for them, don't forget that for them, renting their apartments is an income.

AGREEMENTS

Agreements MUST be in Spanish, not because we don't want you to understand, its just because for an agreement to be valid it has to be in national language, in this case, Spanish. In some sites you can find a copy of the agreement in English or you can always ask the representative to translate the most important parts of the agreement you are about to sign. Never the less, most of the temporary rental agreements are the same.

REGULAR RENT VS TEMPORARY RENT

I came across many costumers wanting long term rents of furnished or unfurnished apartments at the prices Argentineans rent them, well, unfortunately most of the times is impossible; because for us to be able to rent an apartment we are asked for a 'garantía' (warranty) this is a relative that owns a property in Capital City (or two if it is from the surroundings) that gives his house as security deposit. This is the inconvenient, but just for you to know, we are also asked to pay: 1 month in advance, 2 o 3 for agency commission and an extra one for security deposit (although you still have to have the garantia), and of course you are asked to pay all the taxes, expenses (from 200 pesos and up depending on the apartment) and services (water -50 pesos-, gas -200 or more- internet -140 pesos_, etc) of the apartment and of course it's a 2 year agreement and in the second year you are asked to pay more or less 20% more in monthly rent.

On the other hand, temporary rents are the best solution for tourists, students and anyone that visits other country, as you are just asked to leave a security deposit (most of the times equivalent to the price of your stay or one month rent), you have all the services included and of course the expenses to. Besides that most of the time you have cleaning service included (at least one a week) and you have all the information to contact the agency and owner in case you have any problem)

WHAT TO DO WHEN VISITING OR STAYING AT AN APARTMENT

First of all, before confirming a rent, ask any question you might have (for example, distances to public transportation) and also ask for the complete budget (most of the agencies charge an administrative fee and some don't tell it until the end, but we don't even have this extra charge).

Before signing the agreement make sure that everything works, hot water and light, electric stuff in the apartment,.etc. If you notice that something doesn't work, make sure its specified (even handwritten) in the agreement or ask to put it there.

I hope this information helps you and if you have any other doubt in your mind, I would like to her about it and will happily answer it.

Best regards

Elena

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