Job Discussion Forums

[BJardIm]

Hello all

I�ve just arrived in D.F and started work a few days ago. The adapting process has been good and everyone at the language school has been very supportive. They�ve provided an apartment where I can stay until I find my own thing.

I�m looking to move out by the end of the month, Ideally I would like a two bedroom apartment (me and G.friend), we can pay up to 6,000 pesos per month however a bit over won�t really harm us. A place in Condesa/Cuauht�moc would be nice and we will also consider a one bedroom apartment providing its of a good size.

I�ve been told that to find a place in D.F without a fiador is very difficult and some sort of �check� on the tenants background needs doing beforehand. I don�t really understand what this means!
Is it at all possible to contact landlords personally and pay via cash in hand? Or do I go through an agent? Can I do this without a fiador?
I bought a copy of segundamano and have found some places to look at, I�d like to know what I�ll need before phoning landlords.

Many thanks

B.

[Guy Courchesne]

A fiador (fijador? don't remember) is a guarantor or co-signor. Often, this person needs to own property in DF to qualify as a guarantor. This is common for renting apartments or houses.

However, I'm going to assume you'll need a furnished place? In your case, you'll have an easier time finding a location that doesn't ask for a guarantor as many people renting out furnished places are used to doing so to foreigners who won't have such support.

It is possible to go through a bank system called un aval, which for a small monthly fee will co-sign for you. I would treat that as last resort, as I've never seen a foreign teacher needing this.

Go through the segundamano paper you have and start calling. You'll reach both landlrods and property managers directly. Not sure of your Spanish level, but if you do need the place to be furnished, make sure the listing says amueblado, or at least ask about it.

[Samantha]

It is a fairly old tradition and foreigners don't get asked for it very often in my area of Mexico, but it is referred to as an "Aval" and it is expected to be provided by someone you know who will guarantee you won't skip. We have regretfully provided an aval for a foreigner teacher we trusted. Never again.

[MO39]

[Guy Courchesne]

Thank you, Ms. Grammarpants.

[MO39]

You're quite welcome, Mr. expert-in-Mexican-street-talk!

[J Sevigny]

I've found that people who rent out apartments (in Guadalajara and Monterrey, anyway) are often willing to forget about the fiador if you offer up two months deposit instead of one. I've rented that way in both cities.