Uruguay — Rental Market for Foreigners

Why this matters

Securing a lease is often the first practical step for a new arrival, since a lease is one of the accepted proofs of address needed to open a bank account and progress residency paperwork.

Key facts

• Tenants must put the electricity (UTE) and water (OSE) accounts in their own name and pay UTE, OSE, condominium fees, municipal taxes and the sanitation fee.
• If the tenant does not pay those charges, the landlord can pay them through the rental guarantee service (SGA) and pass them on to the tenant with a 10% surcharge.
• Rent adjusts every 12 months; for buildings with a permit filed before 2 June 1968 adjustments run in four-month periods, and after that date they are annual or as the parties agree.
• For permits before 2 June 1968 (Decree-Law 14.219) the legal term is 2 years, followed by a 1-year extension for a good-paying tenant, and the landlord may start eviction from the third year; for later permits the landlord may start eviction at any time once the agreed term ends.
• Renewal is neither mandatory nor automatic and needs agreement between the parties.
• The landlord pays repairs needed to keep the home habitable; the tenant pays repairs it caused and needs the landlord's written authorisation for improvements.
• On key return, a damage assessment is done and the tenant has 5 business days after notification to dispute it.
• The MEF rental service phone line is 0800 8765, 9:00 to 18:00.
• The page does not give market rent levels, a minimum lease term for new contracts or deposit limits.

Timelines

• Rent adjustment: Every 12 months
• Dispute a damage assessment: 5 business days after notification

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