Signing for a furnished apartment in Bogotá without a proper inspection is how nomads end up with dead WiFi, a broken washing machine, and a landlord who shrugs. The furnished rental market here caters to short-term tenants who are often in a rush — which is exactly why landlords can get away with substandard units. This checklist prevents the most common problems.
Internet: The Non-Negotiable
Do not accept "WiFi included" at face value. Run a speed test during your viewing — multiple times, if possible. Here's what to verify:
- Provider: ETB and Movistar offer true symmetric FTTH fiber (critical for video calls and uploads). Claro uses HFC in many neighborhoods, which delivers strong downloads but weak uploads.
- Speed: Minimum 50 Mbps symmetric for reliable remote work. ETB's 500 Mbps plan costs COP 59,900/month ($16) — there's no reason to accept less.
- Router location: Check if the router is in your unit or shared with other apartments. Shared routers mean shared bandwidth.
- Backup plan: Ask if there's an ethernet port. If the WiFi drops, a wired connection can save a critical meeting.
Speed test tip: Use fast.com (Netflix's tool) or Ookla Speedtest. Test both download AND upload. If upload is below 10 Mbps, your Zoom calls will suffer.
The Inventory List (Inventario)
Under Colombian law, the lease should include a detailed inventory listing every piece of furniture, appliance, and fixture — along with its condition at handover. This isn't optional; it's your legal protection against damage claims when you leave. If the landlord doesn't provide one, create it yourself and have both parties sign it.
Photograph everything: walls, floors, appliances, furniture surfaces. Document existing damage — scratches, stains, chips — before you move in. Send these photos to the landlord via WhatsApp (timestamped) and get a written acknowledgment.
Appliance and Furniture Check
| Item | Test | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | Run a full cycle | Most common appliance failure in furnished apts |
| Hot water | Run shower for 3+ minutes | Gas heaters and electric calentadores fail frequently |
| Stove/oven | Turn on all burners and oven | Gas connections can have leaks — smell for it |
| Refrigerator | Check temperature, listen for compressor | Old fridges run loud and inefficient |
| Mattress | Sit, lie down, check for sag | Replacement costs fall on you if not documented |
| Windows/locks | Open and close every window and door | Security issue — broken locks are a deal-breaker |
| Water pressure | Turn on kitchen + bathroom simultaneously | High-floor apartments often have pressure issues |
Lease Terms to Verify
- What's included: Clarify whether administración, utilities, internet, and cleaning are included or extra. Get the exact amounts for each.
- Utility caps (tope): Many furnished rentals include utilities up to a monthly cap (e.g., COP 250,000). Overages are charged separately. Ask for the cap amount in writing.
- Exit terms: What's the notice period? What's the penalty for leaving early? Platform rentals typically have clear policies; direct-with-owner leases need this spelled out.
- Maintenance responsibility: Who pays for repairs? Colombian law requires landlords to handle structural and major appliance repairs, but the line gets blurry in furnished short-term leases.
- Guests and visitors: Some buildings restrict overnight guests or require portero registration. Confirm the policy before signing.
Building-Level Checks
- 24/7 portero (doorman): Standard in estrato 4+ buildings. If the building doesn't have one, factor that into your safety assessment.
- Laundry access: If the apartment doesn't have a washer, is there a building laundry room? If not, the nearest lavandería charges COP 7,000–9,000/kg.
- Elevator: Relevant for anything above the third floor. If the elevator breaks (common in older buildings), you need to know.
- Noise: Visit during both day and evening hours. Street-level apartments on busy roads can be brutal. Interior-facing units are quieter.
- Pet policy: Colombian law (Law 675) prohibits blanket pet bans in residential buildings, but individual landlords can refuse pet-owning tenants in their specific unit.
Parking
If you need parking, ask explicitly. A dedicated, covered space adds COP 150,000–300,000 ($40–$80) per month. Street parking in Bogotá carries theft and damage risks — covered building parking is worth the premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Colombia, 'furnished' (amoblado) typically means the apartment comes with major appliances (stove, refrigerator, washing machine), beds, sofa, dining table, and basic kitchenware. Quality varies enormously. 'Unfurnished' (sin amoblar) can mean completely bare — sometimes even lacking a stove, refrigerator, and light fixtures, though stoves/ovens are legally required.
Under Colombian law, landlords are responsible for structural repairs and major appliance failures that aren't caused by tenant negligence. However, in short-term furnished leases, this can be ambiguous. Get the repair responsibility spelled out in your contract before signing.
If reliable internet is essential for your work, yes. You can include a clause specifying the minimum speed and provider. If the internet consistently fails to meet the stated speed, this gives you grounds to request repair or, in severe cases, negotiate early termination without full penalties.
Refuse to sign until discrepancies are corrected. If the landlord says a missing microwave 'will be delivered tomorrow,' get that commitment in writing with a date. Signing a lease with an inaccurate inventory means you're legally responsible for items you never received.
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