Renting housing in Uruguay: Part 3. A house in Uruguay. How to choose.

The first thing that can be misleading is thinking of Uruguay as a warm country with almost year-round summer. That is not the case. There are distinct seasons, including a winter that, without heating and in the presence of strong cold winds, can literally make life unbearable.

Therefore, when choosing a house (I am referring specifically to renting, since after buying a house you can bring it closer to your ideal, whereas investing in rented housing is unlikely to make sense), it is important to understand the following:

1. Walls.

With half-brick-thick or one-brick-thick walls, you will spend much more on heating in the cold season and on air conditioning in the warm season.

Concrete houses are common; in them, not only wall thickness but also a ventilation system is extremely important.

When viewing houses, pay attention to the exterior corners of the building and bathroom walls: if they have mould or traces of it, you will have to keep fighting it once the cold season arrives.

1. Windows.

Most often, you will find single-pane windows. As a rule, they will have exterior roller shutters operated manually from inside the house. Having roller shutters is convenient in both winter and summer and is definitely a plus.

Modern aluminium frames with plain glass or double glazing (a real joy!), good wooden frames, and an additional screen frame are also advantages in places close to, or not so close to, water (mosquitoes are not shy at all).

And be sure to check whether there is a draught from the window, as this greatly affects the house’s thermal efficiency.

A local roller-shutter feature is the location of the winding mechanism inside the house. It is usually enclosed in a box, yet the entire structure remains a rather unpleasant source of unwanted draughts.

Bars are still preferable in many areas if the plot is not fenced or electrically secured.

1. Bathroom.

The local tradition is a bathroom with a shower and a window to the outside. If you prefer a classic bathtub, your options will be very limited, while the costs will be high.

The key question is how hot water is heated. If gas is used, it will be cheaper and more comfortable.

If it is an electric storage water heater, pay attention to:

a) whether it is installed or you need to buy and install it; b) if installed, what capacity it has (for some unknown reason, they like to install 30-litre heaters even in houses with 2–3 bedrooms); c) whether all hot-water outlets in the house are connected to one heater, or more than one appliance is needed.

Timers can be used for an electric water heater to turn it on and off at pre-programmed times, thereby reducing electricity use.

1. Shower head.

In somewhat more old-fashioned houses, fixed showerheads are installed at the top and bottom, and it is not always possible to attach a showerhead on a flexible hose to them; this matters when assessing comfort.

Ultra-modern homes have shower panels and rain shower heads. Also pay attention to the size of the shower enclosure, as showers so small that even very slim people feel uncomfortable are quite common.

1. Bars and security.

Roller shutters here often have winding mechanisms inside the house, and they can be a source of cold. Window bars are relevant in many areas, especially if the plot is not guarded or fenced.

We will continue discussing real estate in the next part.