Housing

Rental Contracts, Deposits & Utilities

Short-stay rentals in Cuenca (1–3 months) often operate on informal agreements confirmed via WhatsApp rather than formal written contracts. This is normal. You should have at minimum a written message confirming: price, included utilities, deposit amount, and notice period.

Draft

This section is based on research and advance preparation. During the Cuenca Pioneers program, we'll verify everything on the ground and add our own first-hand experiences.

What You Need to Know

Deposits are typically one month's rent. Most furnished rentals include electricity, water, and internet in the monthly price. Some landlords set a utility cap and charge the difference.

Typical Costs

Security deposit1 month's rent typically

Electricity (if not included)$15–$40/month

Water (if not included)$5–$15/month

Internet (if not included)$25–$45/month

Gas cylinder$3–$6 (delivered)

Setup Steps

Before paying deposit: get written confirmation of rent, included utilities, deposit, and notice period via WhatsApp.

Ask explicitly: Are electricity, water, and internet included? Is there a usage cap?

Ask about the hot water system — gas (calefón) or electric, and how to operate it.

Test internet speed (Speedtest) before signing. Minimum 20 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up.

Keep all WhatsApp communications with your landlord. Screenshot key agreements.

Common Mistakes

Moving in without confirming utility inclusion. Unexpected $60 electricity bills are a common surprise.

Not asking about the hot water system. Gas calefones require manual ignition — confusing on Day 1.

Paying a large deposit in cash without any receipt. Pay via transfer or request a written receipt.