SpanishSpeakingPractice🇨🇱 Chile guide

Renting an apartment in Chile

Departamentos in Santiago — the Spanish you actually need.

Santiago's rental market is tight, formal and paperwork-heavy. Most listings go through inmobiliarias (agencies) rather than direct landlords, and almost all require a Chilean aval (guarantor) or a hefty deposit if you're a foreigner.

The two phrases you'll hear constantly: 'gastos comunes' (HOA fees, often $40k–$120k CLP/month) and 'mes de garantía' (deposit, usually one month). Knowing how to ask about both up front avoids surprises.

Vocabulary

SpanishEnglish
departamento / deptoapartment
arriendorent (Chilean term — not 'alquiler')
corredor / corredorareal estate agent
inmobiliariareal estate agency
avalguarantor (usually Chilean resident)
mes de garantíasecurity deposit (one month)
gastos comunesHOA / building fees
contribucionesproperty tax (landlord normally pays)
amoblado / sin amoblarfurnished / unfurnished
conserjedoorman / building concierge
estacionamientoparking spot
bodegastorage room
contrato a un añoone-year contract
agendar una visitaschedule a viewing
UFChilean inflation-indexed currency unit (rent is often quoted in UF)

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

First call to an inmobiliaria

You saw a 2-bed in Providencia on Portal Inmobiliario.

  • You

    Hola, llamo por el depto en Providencia que está publicado. ¿Sigue disponible?

    Hi, I'm calling about the apartment in Providencia. Is it still available?

  • Corredora

    Sí, sigue disponible. ¿En qué fecha lo necesitaría?

    Yes, still available. When would you need it?

  • You

    A partir del primero del próximo mes. ¿Cuánto son los gastos comunes?

    From the 1st of next month. How much are the HOA fees?

  • Corredora

    Ochenta mil pesos mensuales, incluye agua caliente y portería.

    80,000 pesos a month, includes hot water and doorman.

  • You

    ¿Piden aval o aceptan dos meses de garantía?

    Do you require a guarantor or accept two months deposit?

  • Corredora

    Para extranjeros aceptamos dos meses de garantía más comprobante de ingresos.

    For foreigners we accept two months deposit plus proof of income.

  • You

    Perfecto. ¿Podríamos agendar una visita esta semana?

    Perfect. Can we schedule a viewing this week?

At the viewing

Inside the apartment with the corredora.

  • Corredora

    Aquí está el living-comedor, cachái que tiene buena luz toda la mañana.

    Here's the living-dining area — you can see it gets great morning light.

  • You

    Bacán. ¿Y el contrato es a un año o se puede menos?

    Cool. And is the contract for a year, or can it be shorter?

  • Corredora

    Es a un año renovable. Si quieres salir antes, hay que dar 30 días de aviso.

    It's one year, renewable. If you want to leave earlier, you need to give 30 days' notice.

  • You

    Ya po. ¿La cocina viene con línea blanca?

    OK. Does the kitchen come with appliances?

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Chile local tips

Rent is often quoted in UF

Chilean leases are pegged to the UF (Unidad de Fomento), which adjusts daily for inflation. Always convert to CLP before signing.

Foreigner-friendly fix: 2-month garantía

Most inmobiliarias accept two months deposit + 3 recent payslips or bank statements instead of a Chilean aval. State this up front.

Gastos comunes can swing 50%

A new building with pool and gym in Las Condes can cost 3x a 1980s building in Ñuñoa. Always ask the exact number.

Practice prompts

  1. 01Call an inmobiliaria, ask if a depto is available, and request 3 numbers: arriendo, gastos comunes, garantía.
  2. 02Explain you're a foreigner without a Chilean aval and propose 2 months deposit + payslips.
  3. 03Negotiate a 6-month contract instead of 12.

FAQs

Can a foreigner rent in Chile without an aval?

Yes — most agencies accept 2 months deposit plus proof of income (payslips or bank statements). Some buildings still insist on a Chilean aval; ask up front.

What is UF and why is my rent quoted in it?

Unidad de Fomento — an inflation-indexed unit. Rent and long-term contracts are often quoted in UF so the landlord's income keeps up with inflation. Check today's UF value in CLP before signing.

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