How to Choose an Apartment in Uruguay: Furniture, Heating, Mould, Pets and Amenities

Treat viewing an apartment in Uruguay as a technical inspection, not a tour. A beautiful view and fresh paint do not show how a home performs in winter, how much heating costs or what happens after the first rain. Before signing, check light, moisture, appliances, common expenses and conditions for keeping a pet.

Record everything in writing and in photographs. Anything the agent promises to replace or leave must go into the contract or an annex.

Layout and usable space

Count separate bedrooms, storage spaces and the actual footprint of furniture. A small second bedroom may suit a study but not an adult. Check whether doors and cupboards still open once a bed is installed.

Assess the route through the apartment: entrance, kitchen, bathroom and balcony. A walk-through bedroom and a bathroom reached through the living room change a family's comfort.

Do not rely on an advert's wide-angle lens. Bring a tape measure and measure key areas.

Natural light

Find out the window orientation and hours of direct sun. In winter, a sunny side helps warm and dry a room; in summer, it needs shade. A ground-floor apartment and windows facing an internal light well may receive little light.

Visit the property at the time you expect to work from home. Lamps switched on for a daytime viewing can conceal a dark apartment.

Check whether a neighbouring construction project will block the light. A view and sunlight exposure are different characteristics.

Damp and mould

Inspect ceilings, corners, walls behind cupboards, window frames, the bathroom and the space under the sink. Look for stains, blistering paint, black spots and odour. Fresh paint on one area requires an explanation.

Open cupboards: mould often starts where air does not circulate. After rain, check the balcony and external walls.

If the cause is structural, a dehumidifier will not solve it. Obtain the owner's commitment to fix the defect before move-in and the right to inspect the result.

Windows, wind and noise

Open every window; check locks, seals, shutters and screens. Near the coast, poor sealing means cold, whistling and high heating costs.

Listen to the street with the window closed. A bus route, bar, school or construction site changes the noise on its own timetable. Visit in the evening and at the weekend.

For a child and pet, assess balcony safety and restrictors. Do not install a safety net without the building's approval.

Heating and cooling

Ask to turn on the air conditioner, panel heater, boiler or other appliance. Check noise, smell and maintenance. The phrase ‘it is warm in winter’ is no substitute for a system and bills.

Find out whether central heating is included in gastos comunes, the hours it runs and whether it can be regulated. For an individual system, request winter electricity or gas consumption.

In summer, air conditioning, external shading and cross-ventilation matter. An old air conditioner can consume a great deal of energy.

Hot water and plumbing

Open taps at the same time; check pressure, drainage and the time hot water takes to arrive. Inspect the water heater, connections and signs of leaks. Ask its capacity and age.

Flush the toilet, check bathroom ventilation and sealant. Slow drainage may indicate a blockage.

Record faults before signing. A small leak can lead to mould and a dispute over damage.

Kitchen and appliances

Check the hob, oven, extractor, refrigerator and dishwasher if they remain. Record makes, serial numbers and defects. Clarify who repairs fixed appliances.

Look at the number of sockets and electrical capacity. An extension lead should not be a permanent solution for a cooker or kettle.

Assess worktop space and storage. A beautiful kitchen may be inconvenient for daily cooking.

Furniture and inventory

Furnished accommodation is usually more expensive and requires a detailed inventory. Photograph stains, scratches, the mattress, sofa and table. State the condition, not only the item's name.

Ask whether unnecessary furniture can be removed and where it will be stored. Do not remove the owner's belongings yourself.

An additional deposit for expensive furniture must be recorded separately: the amount, where it is held, the grounds for withholding it and how it will be returned.

Laundry

The washing machine may be in the apartment or a shared area. In a shared laundry, check cost, hours, booking and condition. Clarify where to dry laundry.

Drying indoors without ventilation increases dampness. A balcony must be safe and comply with building rules.

If the machine remains in the apartment, run a short cycle and check the drain.

Parking and storage unit

The parking space must be precisely specified in the contract. Measure the entrance and the space; check the gates and room to manoeuvre. A large car may not fit.

Find out whether bicycle storage and electric-vehicle charging are allowed. Do not use a shared socket without permission.

Inspect the storage unit for dampness and security. It is not suitable for documents and electronics if it is damp.

Common areas

A lift, security, swimming pool, gym and garden increase gastos comunes. Check their actual condition and opening hours. Ask whether future repairs and additional assessments are planned.

For a family, consider pram access, step-free access and a safe play area. For a remote worker, consider noise from the common area beneath the windows.

Do not pay for infrastructure you will not use merely for a polished presentation.

Pets

Obtain written permission to keep a pet. A ‘pet-friendly’ advert does not replace the contract and building rules. Specify the species and number of animals, any deposit and liability for damage.

Categorical claims of a total prohibition or an unconditional right to keep a pet are unreliable without analysing the contract and the building's current rules. Obtain a clear answer before paying for a rental guarantee.

Check the lift, balcony, nearest walking area and veterinary clinic. For a cat, a safe net matters; for a dog, the route and neighbours' noise do.

The cost of furniture and amenities

Compare a furnished apartment and an unfurnished one over the entire term. Higher rent may be justified for a short stay but, over several years, can exceed the cost of your own furniture.

Add rent, gastos comunes, heating, parking and the deposit. A water view or pool should not conceal the winter bill.

Request a full calculation before paying a reservation fee.

Final inspection

Before receiving the keys, inspect again, take meter readings and prepare a handover record. Check promised repairs, the set of keys and parking access. Send photographs to the owner.

A good apartment is not one with no shortcomings, but one where shortcomings are known, the price matches the condition and the parties' duties are recorded. This approach protects comfort and the deposit better than rushing after an impressive viewing.