How do you rent a home in Chile in 2026?

Have your passport, Residencia Temporal proof, foreigner cédula when issued, RUN/RUT, local mobile number, and income or bank statements ready: Apply for residence, Get a RUT, and Open a bank account. Many owners prefer resident tenants over thin tourist arrivals for year leases. Chileans often also show DICOM credit reports; newcomers without that history compensate with stronger deposits or an aval.

Shortlist by city and commune first. Santiago Providencia, Las Condes, and Ñuñoa behave differently from Valparaíso cerros or Concepción corridors: Where to live in Chile and Living in Santiago. Prefer owners or corredores (agents) you can meet in person. Verify the lister before you share full identity packs: Avoid rental scams.

Read the Spanish contrato de arriendo for term length, whether rent is in pesos (CLP) or UF (Unidad de Fomento), how updates work, who pays gastos comunes (building fees), and break rules: Rental contracts and deposits. Many Santiago leases ask for an aval or codeudor; newcomers without that network often negotiate higher garantía or prepaid months: Rent without a guarantor.

Budget garantía, first month, agency commission when used, and the latest gastos comunes boleta outside the monthly rent sheet: Santiago cost of living. Photograph water, walls, appliances, and meter readings at handover. Temporary furnished stock can bridge your first weeks, then you upgrade to a longer contract once the cédula and RUT exist. Never transfer “reservation” money for a flat you have not walked through.