You do not need fluent Spanish to rent in Medellín, but about forty words and six message patterns will cover most landlord, building and repair situations. This guide uses everyday Colombian usage. For general phrases, see Spanish survival phrases. For listing terms like estrato and canon, see reading a rental listing.
Landlord and Contract Words
| Spanish | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| arrendador / arrendadora | landlord | The person renting the place out |
| arrendatario / arrendataria | tenant | That is you |
| propietario, dueño | owner | Not always the same person as the arrendador |
| inmobiliaria | real estate agency | Often manages the unit for the owner |
| contrato de arrendamiento | lease | Read it in full before signing |
| canon / arriendo | monthly rent | Arriendo is the everyday word |
| prórroga | renewal | Check how and when it renews |
| preaviso | advance notice | Notice you must give before leaving |
| terminación anticipada | early termination | Ask about any penalty |
| deudor solidario, codeudor | co-signer | Jointly responsible for the lease |
| póliza de arrendamiento | rental insurance policy | A common alternative to a co-signer |
| inventario | inventory list | Furniture and condition at move-in |
| acta de entrega | hand-over record | Signed at move-in and move-out |
| consignar, transferir | to deposit, to transfer | Consignar means paying into a bank account |
| comprobante de pago | payment receipt | Always ask for one |
Our lease guide explains what these terms mean in practice, and the move-out guide explains the hand-over record.
Building and Administration Words
Most apartments are in a building or complex run by an administration office. These words appear in notices and chats.
| Spanish | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| administración | building fee, and the office that manages the building | Often billed separately from rent |
| administrador / administradora | building manager | Your contact for rules and complaints |
| portería, portero | front desk, doorman | Handles visitors and packages |
| vigilante | security guard | Some buildings use security staff |
| conjunto, torre | complex, tower | Give both when you give an address |
| zonas comunes | common areas | Pool, gym, terrace |
| salón social | social room | Often reserved through the administration |
| parqueadero | parking space | Also used for visitor parking |
| cuarto útil | storage room | Not a bedroom |
| manual de convivencia | house rules | Ask for a copy |
| cuota extraordinaria | special assessment | An extra charge voted by owners |
| paz y salvo | statement that nothing is owed | Often requested when you leave |
| trasteo | moving of furniture | Often needs coordination with the desk |
| PQR | petition, complaint, claim | A formal way to raise an issue |
For how the desk handles visitors, couriers and keys, read apartment security and the portería.
Repair and Household Words
| Spanish | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fuga de agua, fuga de gas | water leak, gas leak | If you smell gas, leave the unit and alert the building and the gas provider right away |
| gotera, filtración, humedad | drip from the ceiling, seepage, dampness | Take photos of stains and moldy patches |
| llave | faucet, and also key | Context tells you which; llave del agua is the faucet |
| registro | water shut-off valve | Ask where it is on day one |
| lavamanos, lavaplatos | bathroom sink, kitchen sink | Common fixtures to mention by name |
| inodoro, sanitario | toilet | Both are understood |
| desagüe, tapado | drain, blocked | Está tapado means it is blocked |
| calentador, ducha eléctrica | water heater, electric shower head | Ask which type the apartment has |
| breaker, tomacorriente, interruptor | circuit breaker, outlet, switch | Se fue la luz means the power went out |
| bombillo | light bulb | The everyday Colombian word |
| nevera, estufa, horno, lavadora | fridge, stove, oven, washer | Match them to the inventory |
| chapa, cerradura | door lock | Chapa is very common in Colombia |
| medidor, contador | meter | Used for water, power and gas |
| plomero, electricista, cerrajero | plumber, electrician, locksmith | The landlord usually arranges them |
| dañado, no funciona | broken, does not work | Simple and clear |
Outages are a normal part of building life. See water cuts, power outages and gas for what to do and who to call.
Tone: Use Usted and Be Specific
Medellín Spanish is polite. Use usted with landlords, agents and administrators, even if people your age say tú with you. Greet first (buenos días, buenas tardes), say what is wrong, say what you need and when, and close with thanks. One request per message works best. Voice notes are common, but written messages leave a record.
Six Messages You Can Copy
Replace the brackets with your details.
1. Reporting a repair
“Buenos días, [nombre]. Le escribo porque hay una gotera en el techo del baño desde ayer. Le envío fotos. ¿Puede enviar a un técnico esta semana? Quedo atento. Gracias.”
Good morning. I am writing because there has been a drip from the bathroom ceiling since yesterday. I am sending photos. Can you send a technician this week? I will wait to hear from you. Thanks.
2. Urgent leak
“Urgente: hay una fuga de agua en la cocina y no puedo cerrar la llave. ¿Dónde está el registro general?”
Urgent: there is a water leak in the kitchen and I cannot turn off the faucet. Where is the main shut-off valve?
3. Asking the administration about moving in
“Buenas tardes. Soy el nuevo arrendatario del apartamento [número], torre [número]. ¿Qué horarios y requisitos hay para el trasteo? ¿Me pueden enviar el manual de convivencia?”
Good afternoon. I am the new tenant of apartment [number], tower [number]. What hours and requirements are there for moving in? Can you send me the house rules?
4. Confirming a technician visit
“¿El técnico puede venir el jueves entre las 2 y las 4 p. m.? Esa franja me sirve. ¿Me confirma, por favor?”
Can the technician come on Thursday between 2 and 4 p.m.? That window works for me. Can you confirm, please?
5. Polite noise complaint
“Buenas noches. Quisiera reportar ruido fuerte del apartamento de arriba después de las 11 p. m. ¿Podrían ayudarme a hablar con los vecinos?”
Good evening. I would like to report loud noise from the apartment above after 11 p.m. Could you help me speak to the neighbors?
6. Following up and planning the move-out
“Buenos días. Retomo mi mensaje del lunes sobre la gotera. ¿Alguna novedad? Además, quisiera programar la entrega del apartamento el [fecha] y hacer el acta de entrega con el inventario.”
Good morning. I am following up on my Monday message about the leak. Any news? I would also like to schedule the hand-over on [date] and complete the hand-over record with the inventory.
Keep a Record
After any call or visit, send a short written summary: Quedamos en que el técnico viene el jueves (we agreed the technician comes Thursday). Keep photos with dates, and attach them to the thread. Our move-in checklist covers documenting condition on day one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, many foreigner-focused agencies and operators work in English. But basic Spanish helps you negotiate, report repairs and deal with the building administration, and it often leads to better terms and fewer misunderstandings.
It is the building fee that covers common areas, security and maintenance, and it also refers to the office that manages the building. Ask whether it is included in the rent or billed separately.
Use usted. It is polite and expected with landlords, agents and building staff in Medellín, and it keeps messages professional.
Llave means both key and faucet. The context tells you which one, and llave del agua refers to the water faucet.
Use an app to understand a draft, but do not rely on it for the final contract. For rent, deposit, term, penalties and inventory clauses, ask a qualified translator or a bilingual professional to confirm the meaning.
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