Expat (Long-Term) Apartment Rental in Buenos Aires
Renting: A Difficult Game
Renting an apartment long-term in a difficult game for a foreigner (extranjero) in Buenos Aires. Firstly, the reasonable prices are usually not easily available for extranjeros (which is why the expensive furnished apartments do such a good trade here) because strictly you need what is called a “garantia” to be able to rent. This would be a person that owns property in Argentina that can sign for you as a guarantee on the contract, to safeguard against you running away or trashing the apartment or something! Also, you are almost always expected to sign an agreement for 2 years, although people tell me that even if you do sign it is not always strictly enforced if you want to move on early.
HOWEVER, a garantia is not always required. You can often speak to the owner (dueno) and try to reach an agreement, which may involve you paying a large deposit, or paying a lot of the rent up front (maybe 6 months to a year) or even paying a little over the asked rent rate. A lot of owners will not want to do this, but it is worth asking…
Buenos Aires Apartments Key Search Resource: Clarin
If you speak decent Spanish, probably the best place to look for renting is the Clarin website (the most popular BA newspaper). This is where you will find the best bargains, the prices that locals pay:
Then search for the type of housing you want to rent, for what price, in what areas etc. But, this method only works well if you are in Argentina. The usual process is to buy Clarin every day (or search the website every day), find what apartments etc you like the sound of, then turn up at the address and viewing time detailed (sometimes waiting in line on the street to do so!) for each one. If you are currently in another country, you have two options if you go down this renting route:
- Pay someone in Buenos Aires to do it for you (a locator). Give me an email or leave a comment if you would like me to recommend somebody for you.
- RECOMMENDED: Come to Buenos Aires personally to find the place you want. Either you could do a “pre-visit”, staying in a furnished apartment and spending each day looking for places to rent, then renting somewhere ready for when you make the move, OR you could make the move and stay in a furnished apartment until you find a place.
- The YesBA Mailing list (sign up through that link)
- Craigslist Buenos Aires
- La Nacion Classifieds (2nd most popular newspaper in BA. Clarin is the mainstream tabloid, La Nacion the more serious broadsheet). There may be some repitition between Clarin and La Nacion listings
- www.BuscaInmueble.com
- www.ArgenProp.com.ar
- BUENOS AIRES TRAVEL GUIDE SPECIAL HINT: Find an Argentine boyfriend/girlfriend to help you out with the whole Buenos Aires apartments searching process! Not only will you find more doors open with a local on your side, but this has some nice side benefits too
Additional Search Resources
These links should also help you out in your search for a cheap, long-term apartment rental in Buenos Aires:
Final Buenos Aires Apartment Rental Tip
Look for properties that are being rented by the owners themselves, not by the Inmobiliarias (estate agents), as the big agencies will be more expensive and will not be reasonable with people that do not have a garantia, whereas owners will be open to discussion……….and possibly even sweet-talk from your good-looking Argentina girlfriend/boyfriend!
Good luck to anyone looking for long term apartment rentals in Buenos Aires - I think you will probably need it!










February 9th, 2007 at 2:21 am
Thank you so much for the link, looks like there are a ton of potential properties. Would you be able to post a quick guide of what to click for the most desirable areas (couldn’t find just recoleta for instance) for those of us who are just starting out their research and want to get a feel for the price and amenities in the top/trendy neighborhoods? Thanks.
April 23rd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Hello. I am in BA for a month April 28-May 27 and am looking for a one month apartment. Can you please recommend something. I speak spanish. I am looking for a great place in Recoleta next to great restaurants and shopping. Can you please help. Thanks. David
December 26th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
thank you so much for the information this is really helpful to me-
January 17th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Hi im looking at making my base in buenos aires for six month and would like to have a cheap secure appartment as I have some expensive gear. Im a little worried about the good luck remark.. are there travellers who rent out sub let rooms in houses/appartments???
March 1st, 2008 at 11:59 am
Hi there! I am getting certified to teach English in BA and am moving down there on March 12th. I will have a place to live while I am getting certified, but will be looking for a long term apartment for April. I was wondering if you could give me information about a locator that you recommend. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!