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Checklist for Leasing a Condo or Apartment in Playa
By Editor | September 15, 2007
I organized some thoughts into a checklist with regard to renting an apartment or condo in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This is a for-what-it’s-worth list that may help stimulate thought. The right answers to these questions are subjective to your requirements.
Note: If you’re looking for a place with friendly, fair and professional property management who speak English, we highly recommend Vimex Condos . We were lucky to find a long term rental through Vimex.
- Location, location, location. How close will you be to where you want to be? Most of us would love to live beachfront, but find that cost prohibitive.
- If you don’t have an ocean view, is it worth the extra money to live a block or two block from the beach instead of five or six.
- How much construction is around your location? Are you going to listen to construction noise from 7am to 7pm everyday.
- How are the roads? Will the roads turn to mud and puddles during the rainy season? Will dust be a problem when the roads are dry?
- Will you need a car to get around town? How far is it to shopping, restaurants, bars, and the beach.
- How is the maintenance of the common areas? Sometimes an individual apartment is well maintained and furnished, but the common areas are not well maintained.
- Is there a pool? If so, is the pool clean? Is there pool furniture, and if so, is it clean and in good condition.
- Where will you dump your trash and is the trash area reasonably maintained?
- Who is responsible for the propane gas, electricity, and water bills?
- Who pays for maintenance and security?
- Is Telmex phone service available? Confirm with an active dial tone or check directly with Tel-Mex.
- Is Telmex DSL Internet available? Again confirm - don’t assume anything with regard to cable, Internet, or telephone.
- Is Cablemas available?
- Is Cablemas Internet available? Cable TV maybe available and Internet NOT be available.
- If you must use Playa Wireless Internet, who pays for the special wireless equipment?
- Is satelite television available? Who provides service - Sky?
- Who will you call if there is a problem with the apartment? Does the contact speak your language and keep office hours? Is there a 24 hour contact.
- Who pays to ‘board up’ for hurricanes. Who makes it happen?
- If the apartment is furnished, is it adequate for your needs?
- Are there adequate kitchen cabinets and bedroom closets? Storage can be skimpy in some units.
- Can you paint the interior if you desire?
- If furnished, is the mattress and box spring satisfactory?
- Is there hot water?
- Is the refrigerator large enough?
- Do you have a washer and dryer? (Not that common.) If not, how far to the nearest lavanderia?
- Do the drains flow properly and do the toilets flush properly? Check them.
- How’s the water pressure in the showers?
- What is the source of the water? Is it municipal water or water from a cistern? If the water is from a cistern, how often is it filled.
- Are there enough electrical outlets where you need them? Is there an outlet in the bathrooms. Can you work around any shortage?
- Do the lights and outlets all work?
- Is the contract notorized or not? Notorized contracts can cost you an extra $200 to initiate and are more easily enforced in the courts. Many landlords provide a more friendly rental agreement.
- Is there a provision in your lease agreement to terminate the lease early if it becomes necessary. Generally this provision will require an appropriate notice and sacrifice of your deposit.
- Is the deposit more than one months rent?
- Will the lease term get you through the high season or will you be left negotiating a new lease when rental properties are most in demand?
- Is the property managed by a reputable management company who speaks your language?
- Is there security? For first floor units, are there burglar bars on the windows?
- Is there a dead bolt on the front door?
- Is there a full time maintenance person?
- How convenient is it to get your house water? The five gallon bottles weigh about 30 pounds…is there someone to haul these for you or will you have to do it yourself.
- Is there an elevator? Very convenient if you’re on an upper floor with a load of groceries from Sam’s Club.
- Is there hand rails on the stairs? If hand rails are important to you be observant. Many places do not have hand rails.
- Is there adequate covered or uncovered parking for your car, scooter, and/or bikes?
- Is there a speed bump - topes - outside your window? Speed bumps create lots of traffic noise when cars and particularly trucks accelerate after crossing.
- Is your balcony or patio face the street or face a garden area?
- How private are your window exposures?
- Are your pets allowed? What about barking dogs? Quiet today doesn’t mean it will be quiet tomorrow, but you might want to check to see if there are dogs visible from your door or balcony. If so, they’ll most likely bark at some point. Does it bother you?
- Is the neighborhood suitable for you?
- Are there clubs, restaurants, bars, or tourist traffic that might create more noise than you’re prepared to deal with?
- If the condo is in Playacar, will you have satisfactory beach access?
Topics: Housing |
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