Legal4 minUpdated:
Renting safely in Mexico: lease, deposit, guarantor or legal policy
A well-made rental protects both sides: the owner from unpaid rent and damage, and the tenant from rules changing mid-lease. Almost everything comes down to three documents: the lease, the guarantee and the move-in inventory.
01The lease, always in writing
In Tamaulipas, leases are governed by the state Civil Code. A good lease spells out at least:
- The parties and the property, with its full address.
- Rent, due date and payment method, and any annual adjustment (for example, for inflation).
- Term of the lease and how it's renewed or ended.
- Deposit and when it can be withheld.
- Permitted use: residential or commercial, and who will live there.
- Who pays what: utilities, minor upkeep and major repairs.
- No subletting without written permission.
- Late-payment penalties and grounds for early termination.
- The move-in inventory as a signed appendix.
02The security deposit
It's common to ask for one or two months' rent as a deposit. It covers damage or debts at the end of the lease — not the last month's rent, unless agreed in writing. At move-out, the property is compared against the inventory and the balance is returned.
03Guarantor or legal rental policy
| Option | How it works | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Guarantor (fiador) | A person commits to pay if the tenant doesn't; usually required to own a lien-free property. | Not always easy to find, and collecting requires a lawsuit. |
| Legal rental policy (póliza jurídica) | A company screens the tenant and, in case of default, advises or handles the legal process under the policy terms. | It has a cost; who pays is agreed between the parties. |
04Know your tenant
- Official ID and proof of current address.
- Proof of income for recent months.
- Personal references and, ideally, one from a previous landlord.
- For retail: the type of business and whether it fits the land-use permit.
05Move-in inventory and photos
The inventory is what prevents arguments at the end. Walk through with the tenant and record the condition of walls, floors, doors, windows, bathrooms, kitchen, fixtures and what stays (water heater, AC units, curtains, furniture). Take dated photos and both sign the inventory as an appendix to the lease.
06During the lease
- Issue a receipt for every payment.
- Minor repairs from normal use are usually the tenant's; major or structural ones, the owner's. The lease should say so.
- Any change of terms is agreed in writing.
07At the end
- PASO 01NoticeWith the advance notice the lease requires.
- PASO 02Walk-throughCompared against the inventory and move-in photos.
- PASO 03UtilitiesElectricity, water and gas bills paid through the move-out date.
- PASO 04DepositReturned, or justified deductions itemized in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Does the lease have to be signed before a notary?
It isn't required for validity, but ratifying signatures before a notary or public officer gives more certainty in case of a dispute.
Can the rent be raised mid-lease?
Only as the lease provides, for example through an annual adjustment. Any other change must be agreed in writing.
Who pays property tax?
Usually the owner; utilities (power, water, gas, internet) are paid by the tenant unless agreed otherwise.
Have a specific case?
Message us with the details and we'll tell you what to check or how to solve it.
Guides
Keep reading
Real estate4 min
Selling your property in Mexico: documents, timing and costs
The documents a notary asks for, how long a sale takes, which taxes may apply and how to prepare the property to sell it well.
Real estate6 min
How to buy a home in Tampico, Madero or Altamira, step by step
From the deposit to the deed: what to check, what to sign, how financing works and which closing costs to expect in southern Tamaulipas, Mexico.