SpanishSpeakingPractice🇲🇽 Mexico guide

Renting an apartment in Mexico

Apartment-hunting Spanish for Mexico City, Guadalajara and beyond.

Most expat-friendly listings in CDMX (Roma, Condesa, Juárez) are now WhatsApp-first. You'll trade voice notes with the casero or the inmobiliaria before you ever see the place — which means you need spoken Spanish, not just reading.

The two words you'll hear constantly: 'aval' (a Mexican-resident guarantor) and 'póliza' (insurance policy that replaces the aval, usually 1 month's rent). Knowing how to ask about these up front saves hours.

Vocabulary

SpanishEnglish
depa / departamentoapartment
casero / arrendadorlandlord
inmobiliariareal estate agency
avalguarantor (Mexican resident with property)
póliza jurídicarental insurance (replaces aval)
depósitosecurity deposit (usually 1 month)
rentamonthly rent
amueblado / sin amueblarfurnished / unfurnished
servicios incluidosutilities included
luz, agua, gas, internetelectricity, water, gas, internet
predialproperty tax (usually landlord pays)
mantenimientoHOA / building maintenance fee
contrato a un añoone-year contract
fiadorco-signer / guarantor (synonym of aval)
una visita / agendara viewing / to schedule

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

Asking about a listing on WhatsApp

First contact with a landlord about a furnished 1-bed in Roma Norte.

  • You

    Buenas tardes, vi su anuncio del depa en Roma Norte. ¿Sigue disponible?

    Good afternoon, I saw your listing for the apartment in Roma Norte. Is it still available?

  • Casero

    Sí, sigue disponible. ¿Para cuándo lo necesitaba?

    Yes, it's still available. When did you need it?

  • You

    Para principios del próximo mes. ¿Está amueblado y qué servicios incluye?

    Beginning of next month. Is it furnished, and what utilities are included?

  • Casero

    Está completamente amueblado. Incluye agua e internet. Luz y gas los paga el inquilino.

    It's fully furnished. Water and internet included. Tenant pays electricity and gas.

  • You

    Perfecto. ¿Piden aval o aceptan póliza jurídica?

    Perfect. Do you require a guarantor or accept rental insurance?

  • Casero

    Aceptamos póliza. Cuesta un mes de renta y se contrata aparte.

    We accept the insurance. It costs one month's rent and is contracted separately.

  • You

    ¿Podemos agendar una visita esta semana?

    Can we schedule a viewing this week?

  • Casero

    Claro, ¿qué día le acomoda?

    Of course, what day works for you?

Negotiating at the viewing

You're at the apartment, like it, want to talk numbers.

  • You

    Me gusta mucho el depa. ¿Hay algo de flexibilidad con la renta?

    I really like the apartment. Is there any flexibility on the rent?

  • Casero

    Si firma por un año, podemos bajar quinientos pesos.

    If you sign for a year, we can drop it 500 pesos.

  • You

    Me parece justo. ¿El depósito es un mes?

    That sounds fair. Is the deposit one month?

  • Casero

    Sí, un mes de depósito más el primer mes de renta.

    Yes, one month deposit plus first month's rent.

  • You

    ¿Y el contrato lo manda usted o lo prepara la inmobiliaria?

    And the contract — do you send it or does the agency prepare it?

Advertisement

Mexico local tips

Always ask about 'mantenimiento' separately

Many CDMX buildings have a monthly HOA fee (often $500–$2,000 MXN) that listings don't show. Ask: '¿el mantenimiento está incluido en la renta?'

Voice notes > texts

Mexican landlords often reply faster to voice notes than to text. Sending one in Spanish — even imperfect — signals you're serious.

Póliza jurídica saves you weeks

If you don't have a Mexican aval, ask for 'póliza jurídica' from the start. Companies like Aval Net and SOS Aval issue them in 24–48 hours.

Practice prompts

  1. 01Record a 30-second voice note to a landlord introducing yourself, saying when you need the place, and asking 3 questions.
  2. 02Roleplay a viewing where you ask about utilities, deposit, contract length, and HOA fees.
  3. 03Negotiate 500 pesos off the rent in exchange for a one-year contract.
  4. 04Explain that you don't have an aval but can pay 2 months deposit or get a póliza.

FAQs

Do I need an aval to rent in Mexico City?

Most landlords ask for one, but a 'póliza jurídica' (rental insurance, ~1 month rent) is widely accepted instead and is the standard solution for foreigners.

How much Spanish do I need to rent an apartment?

Enough to send a voice note, ask 5 standard questions (utilities, deposit, aval/póliza, contract length, viewing date), and read a contract. ~A2 level is enough if you practice the exact scenario beforehand.

What does 'aval' mean in a Mexican rental?

A guarantor — usually a Mexican resident who owns property and co-signs your lease. The póliza jurídica is the standard alternative for foreigners.

More Mexico scenarios

Opening a bank account in Mexico

What to actually say at BBVA, Santander or Banorte.

Open

Going to the doctor in Mexico

Describe symptoms and get the right meds — without a translator.

Open

Taking Uber and taxis in Mexico

Confirm pickup, change the route, and survive the chat.

Open

Visa and immigration appointments in Mexico

Get through your INM appointment without freezing up.

Open

Grocery shopping and the mercado in Mexico

Order at the carnicería, bargain at the mercado, survive the cashier line.

Open

Getting a SIM Card ("Chip") in Mexico

Chip, recarga, and the new registration rule — explained.

Open