Looking for a long term rental apartment in Downtown

Needing tips and advices when renting an apartment

Hi,

My name is Carlos and I have been a big fan of the Forum for a couple of months now. Thank you for all your posts! They have been extremely helpful

Me and my girlfriend just booked our tickets to Cancun where we will spend the next 4 months (minimum).

As we will arrive in 2 weeks, we are now looking for an apartment. We would like to stay near the entrance of the Hotel zone and close to public transports.

We seek a 1 bedroom apartment in a safe and well located condominium - We will not have a car and we love to walk / bike. Our budget is flexible.

I was wondering if you have any tips regarding apartment hunting?

Do you have any real estate agent you would recommend us?

Should I simply walk around the blocks and ask the doorman at the entrance of a condo I like if there are any available apartments?

Any condominium you would recommend me to contact / visit upon my arrival?

Any tips on finding and negotiating our upcoming apartment?

Thank you in advance!

 

Hi,

As I have noticed many people reading the topic, here is a tip I have picked up myself while reading this forum: Always ask to see the last electricity bills before renting.

As I understood, never rent an apartment that has been classified as DAC. Otherwise you will paid a lot for your electricity bill.

Any further tips from someone who had the experience of apartment hunting?

 

Hi Carlos,

I'm not sure if this is the best way to do things, but in the past I've found decent places online:

Casas Renta Cancún - Departamentos Renta

Depas en renta Cancún

Departamentos en renta en CANCUN Avisos Clasificados, Anuncios Clasificados, Checalo

Renta De Departamento en Cancun/benito Juarez departamento amueblado , inmobiliarias quintana roo

Renta departamento cancún - Trovit Casas

Some of the listings on there are quite expensive or in the Hotel Zone, but there are options for narrowing down your search. Also, make sure you see any apartment in person before deciding to rent.

Downtown Cancun is divided into numbered neighborhoods called "Supermanzanas" or "SM" ("Superblocks") Some good neighborhoods based on your criteria might be anything in SM 1 through SM 25 or so. These lower numbers are in the heart of downtown, close to the Hotel Zone entrance and near lots of public transportation.

Here's a map of Cancun's SMs that CancunCanuck shared on here while ago so you can orientate yourself: Mapa de Cancun : Centro y Zona Hotelera Cancún | Cancun Foros.com

If you give us a more specific range for your budget, we might be able to direct you toward a more specific neighborhood and you can search from there.
Good luck!

 

Carlos: Friends of mine have used "vivastreet"(one of the ones Gringation suggests) with great success.



Just be smart about it: Make sure whatever you need, is fully functioning etc. Be strict, as many landlords can and in many cases, will try to screw you over.

Ive been in a situation where we simply didnt pay rent until new mosquito-nets, A/C etc. were installed.

 

Rawkus is right, vivastreet (the first link) is where we found my current house.

 

Thank you very much Gringation for all the links!

So you would advise me to call the numbers on the website and get a real estate agent to assist me?

Or should I try to contact private owners?

Do I have to pay a fee to real estate agents if I use their services?

 

I've never used a real estate agent myself... just dealt directly with the owners and signed 1 year contracts. Never had any issues. Then again, I've always rented cheaper apartments.

Someone else might have more info on this topic, though.

 

Hi Thank you for the tips and ideas.

I have contacted some real estate agents already and they have sent me some proposals.

Will I have to pay a commission tot he agent or this is usually paid by the landlord?

 

We used Ricardo Barraza and I highly recommend him. He speaks fluent English, is an entertaining guy and very well connected. If you google the name, you'll find him number 1 on google. Ricardobarraza.com. Remember, it doesn't cost you a cent to use a realtor.