Renting

Visiting the island many times over the years and getting to know the towns and different areas before making the move is the best way to avoid a costly mistake. Puerto Rico may not be for you!!!

Renting is the second best way to go for those people who are unsure of where they want to live or the lifestyle they prefer. This allow you to live in PR while you learn the island, customs, people and see what best fits with the way you want to live.

Finding a property to rent is not too difficult but can be time consuming, your English may not help either.

You either have to find a local realtor with some properties to rent or you have to look in Clasificados (http://www.clasificadosonline.com/Rentals.asp) and or drive around looking for houses with a rental sign. *** Most rental properties are not listed and realtors do not give you much help since they only get a few hundred dollars on a 6 month to 1 year rental. For the most part it is not worth it for them.

But be warned, your rental contract will more than likely be in Spanish only, and made to benefit the landlord. Housekeeping of the grounds and maybe even repairs may be left to you, so read the contract carefully. Also check about breaking your lease in the event of a problem with the landlord (you may still be subject to pay the remainder of the year contract even if you move), remember if it is not in the contract then the verbal agreement or statement never occurred,

Be warned that most properties for rentals have no furniture and may not even have a stove or refrigerator. In PR is fairly customary to just rent the walls. Make preparations to buy what you need for the rental unit and move it later to another rental or house/condo you purchase.

The rental related regulations are spread in several laws and for the most part basically say that the contract is the law. So if it is in the contract and you have a beef with the landlord, more than likely you will still loose, specially if the landlord knows the judge.

We recently had a member with landlord issues, the property had cracks and water was coming in around the stairs which was causing a mold issue and a slippery situation. So they are going to court and that does not happen overnight and likely the judge will hear both sides and go with the writing on the contract. The thing with lawyers is they are not cheap and the longer it takes the more you have to pay to get it settled. That is one reason why there are bad landlords, because most people will just move and let him get away with it and with your money. Well dressed slum lords, some are even lawyers and doctors.

So rent but be careful and if you can, speak with the previous tenants, this may give you an opportunity to see what it will be like, but that is not always possible.

Animals: Animals are not always welcome in a rental unit even if the house is concrete and has a tile floor. This may make it difficult to find a rental unit, be prepared to have this issue.

Insurance: There are general independent insurance agents all over the island that can sell you insurance for just about anything under the sun. Read the landlord contract, not only may the landlord require you to have renters insurance, but he may want to have the entire house insured so if it burns to the ground or you get hurt it is your insurance that pays for everything, yes some landlords are like that.

Things are rarely fair and fairness will not necessary get you a win in court, beware.