10 Bogotá Rental Myths That Cost Foreigners Money
Bogotá's rental market is surrounded by outdated information, forum myths, and genuinely wrong advice that circulates in expat communities for years after it stops being true. These are the 10 myths we hear most often — and the verified facts that replace them.
Myth 1: "You Need a Cédula de Extranjería to Sign a Lease"
A tourist visa allows you to sign a lease in Colombia. You do not need a cédula de extranjería to enter a rental contract. However, traditional banks typically require the CE — so renting is easier than banking as a new arrival.
Myth 2: "Landlords Can Only Accept a Codeudor — No Alternatives"
A póliza de arrendamiento (rental insurance at 50–70% of one month's rent) is widely accepted in place of a codeudor. Platforms like Houm, Aptuno, Blueground, and Flatio have eliminated the codeudor requirement entirely from their models.
Myth 3: "Landlords Can Raise Rent Whenever They Want"
Once you're in a lease, your landlord can only raise rent once per year and cannot exceed the IPC cap — 5.10% for 2026 renewals under Ley 820 Article 20. Any above-cap increase is legally void.
Myth 4: "Your Deposit Can Be Kept for Normal Wear and Tear"
Desgaste normal (normal wear) is explicitly non-deductible from deposits under Ley 820 Article 15. Landlords can only deduct for documented damage above what's expected from normal use — and must return any undeducted amount within 30 days.
Myth 5: "All Bogotá Neighborhoods Are Unsafe for Expats"
Strata 4–6 zones — Usaquén, Chicó, Chapinero Alto, Rosales, Zona T, Cedritos — have low expat-targeting crime rates and large established foreign communities. Safety is hyper-local. The neighborhoods where expats actually rent are not the neighborhoods in the crime statistics.
Myth 6: "Tap Water Isn't Safe to Drink in Bogotá"
Bogotá's tap water (provided by EAAB) meets WHO drinking water standards. Most long-term residents drink it directly. The caveat: older buildings may have aged pipes that affect water quality at the tap — newer buildings and strata 5–6 properties are generally fine.
Myth 7: "Airbnb Is the Only Short-Term Option"
Blueground (120+ executive furnished units), Flatio (deposit-free), Houm (póliza model, no codeudor), Facebook Expats in Bogotá groups, and direct owner negotiation are all established alternatives. Airbnb is one tool among many.
Myth 8: "Estrato 6 Buildings Have the Best Internet"
Internet pricing and quality in Colombia is no longer strata-based. Fiber availability is building-specific and ISP-specific. Movistar leads nationally at 228.95 Mbps down. Always check the specific ISPs available at the building before signing — ask the portero.
Myth 9: "STR / Airbnb Is Now Illegal in Bogotá"
The MinCIT December 2025 decree that would have imposed new STR restrictions in Colombia was never enacted. Short-term rentals remain completely legal. Any content stating otherwise — including much of what circulates on expat forums — is incorrect.
Myth 10: "Colombian Lease Contracts Are Only Enforceable in Spanish"
Bilingual contracts are fully valid. Foreign-language contracts are enforceable with a notarized translation when needed for proceedings. What matters is that both parties signed with informed consent — language is secondary to that.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A tourist visa allows you to sign a rental lease in Colombia. The CE is required by traditional banks, not by landlords. Most foreigners rent on tourist or digital nomad visas without a CE.
Yes, completely. The MinCIT December 2025 decree that would have regulated STR platforms was never enacted. Short-term rentals remain fully legal. This is one of the most persistent false rumors in the Bogotá expat community.
No. Under Ley 820, rent can only be raised once per year, at renewal, and cannot exceed the IPC cap (5.10% for 2026). Any mid-lease increase is illegal. Any above-cap renewal increase is void.
Yes, officially. EAAB water meets WHO standards. Most long-term residents drink it. The practical exception is older buildings with aged plumbing — strata 5–6 newer buildings are generally safe at the tap.
Yes. A póliza de arrendamiento is a rental insurance policy (cost: 50–70% of one month's rent) that protects the landlord against non-payment for up to 12 months. Many landlords accept it as a full codeudor replacement. Platforms like Houm use this model exclusively.