LandingPad Buenos Aires

Only the sadistic few take pleasure in the moving process. Apart from the physical labor of carting boxes to and fro, there is a precluding mental strain of where, when and how, regardless of your final destination. Many a gringo have suffered hardships, rip-offs, and the like when moving to Buenos Aires. The truth is that the abode renting process here is pretty whack-ass. But never fear my fellow foreigner!! I will now spill forth every drop of my veteran knowledge upon the subject so that you may arrive truly aware of all the legal and technical aspects of getting settled in Buenos Aires.

First things first. If you’re coming for a month or less, the bulk of this article won’t apply to you. There are a cornucopia of hostels that provide good company and cozy beds. You can also find available apartments via Craig’s List or a simple google search. A note on both: Craig’s List is very gringo -friendly, meaning gringo prices. It’s a much better deal than a hotel, but a little more effort could go a long way.

If you’ve got basic Spanish skills, try googling ”alquilar departamentos + buenos aires.” Toy around with your options and there should be a healthy dose of places within your price range in the neighborhood you seek. The only downside is that the contact phone numbers will be long-distance, but hopefully email will be sufficient.

But maybe you swung through BA on your South American backpacking tour and are coming back for a second helping. Or you’re fed up with your coffee and cream corporate job and want a fresh start in the Big Apple of the South. Whatever the reason, you are not alone. The revelation is mutual brothers and sisters.

During the gloomy days of the 2001 economic crisis, the government took several precautious measures that still linger today. Due to the rather high possibility of tenants ditching out on the rent and disappearing overnight, the law requires a garantia . It’s kind of like a warrantee, but the exact opposite. Someone with hefty pockets living in the city must guarantee to vouch for you if you or your money run out. Unless you have a tia or abuelo here, these folks are hard to come by.

Secondly, the law states that the contract must be drawn for a minimum of two years . Just like Stonehenge, scholars have been thoroughly researching this point of study and the results remain enigmatic. And if you don’t have a DNI (the national ID card here and Holy Grail for foreigners), that’s one more setback. If this trio of requisites just ain’t your cup of tea, then join the club and consider yourself a maverick.

The poor economic status of this country and their ever-present worship of the dollar does have its advantages. If you can muster up dollars, euros, or other coveted foreign currencies, and if you’re willing to pay several months upfront, this pretty much nullifies all other prerequisites. Most likely you won’t be given a standard Argentine price, but it won’t be an ignorant tourist price either. Paying in three-month lump sums is almost standard among gringos and makes for a solid negotiating proposal.

Then there’s the deposit and commission. Unfortunately, a two-month commission and a one-month deposit (which they will milk until the well runs dry) are the 2009 norm. This is not gringo exploitation, it’s good old-fashioned real estate bravura. Whether it’s 3 months or 3 years, dollars up front will allow you to bargain the length of your rental as well as forgo other legal requirements.

There’s no simple way to find a place, I must confess. Using Craig’s List as a Plan B, I’d ask around and usually somebody knows someone. I ain’t gonna lie, negotiating in dollars is a heck of a lot easier than scoring the perfect apartment in the area of your liking.

Keep an open mind in terms of location and browse around using our “Barrio Guide” to get a feeling for the neighborhoods. This is a colossus of a city and each barrio is unique. Upon arriving, bear in mind this is not a first world country, which means you will encounter a handful of unforeseen setbacks, but this also means that you will be operating within a culture that’s open to bargaining with plenty of untapped treasures waiting to be discovered.

Of course you always have the easy route with us! Click here to see our recommended short cuts.

Will Betton
LPBA Staff