98 CultureShock! Chile
provide. Houses, in spite of the tall gates and alarm services,
are more susceptible to break-ins. For those only staying in
Chile for a short time, there is a good supply of furnished
apartments (departamentos amoblados) or apart hotels. Real
estate and relocation agencies can help you figure out what
best suits your needs.
Long-term apartment leases are normally signed on an
annual basis, renewable with two months notice. A deposit
equivalent to one or two months rent is customary. If a
real estate agent is involved, you will have to pay him or
her the equivalent of half of one month’s rent for services.
The landlord will normally also pay the real estate agent a
similar amount.
Renters are responsible for paying gastos comunes (condo
fees). These are paid directly to the building management on
a monthly basis and are separate from rent, which is paid
to the owner. This fee covers maintenance of the building,
i.e., elevators, lights, etc. and pays the salaries of the building
employees. In general, the more expensive your apartment,
the higher the gastos communes will be. It is computed in
relation to the size of your apartment and may run anywhere
from US$ 30 to US$ 200 and above depending on the services
your building provides. When apartment hunting, be sure to