Thread: Renting Houses in Panama

As an aside, I'm looking for a nice modern house in the Interior. I have a few needs for the area, but if you know of any house rentals, pls. let me know.

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Ok, so I'm just learning certain things now & need to know what is typical & what isn't.

1. It's typical NOT to have hot water throughout the house, only in the shower? How do you wash your face, dishes, etc.? I realize it's hot outside, but one needs hot water to wash dishes, one's face, etc. although I tend to just use cold now as it's not real cold & it is hot outside, but there were a few days I used the hot & for washing dishes I definitely do.

2. How does one pay the money to the owner or realtor & know they won't get ripped off? They just pay the deposit & the first month when you move in & then get a receipt for the deposit? I heard this doesn't mean much. What if they don't let you move in come moving day?

3. Do you usually have the contract reviewed by a lawyer, or will that scare them away? I've learned from previous very bad experiences to always have contracts reviewed.

4. I take it double sinks aren't normal?

5. What's the outlet situation in most houses? Enough in each room, outlets on the counters in the kitchen? What amps are they?

6. Why are all the kitchens so small? You'd think they'd want large kitchens to cook in.

I figured the older houses wouldn't have these amenities, but I'm finding this issue even in newer homes.

Anything else you can think of to give me a heads up is much appreciated. I'm sure I'll have more questions down the road.

Thanks & have a great week everyone


Michelle

Hey there!

1- Yes it is VERY typical to not have hot water. Some homes that had "American Style" hot water heaters have removed them or unplugged them because of cost. You can install an electrical hot water shower head (ours was about $25 from Novey). Well worth it. As for dishes, we often boil a pot of hot water and pour it over the dishes after they've been washed. I can't wait to move to a place that has a hot water heater!

6- Kitchens are small and aren't to be seen because the "help" uses them. Often times there is a door blocking your view into the kitchen. If you live in a nicer home it is thought that you yourself would never be in the kitchen. Very different than modern kitchens up north!

Can't help with any other questions, sorry!

My experience is limited to the Las Tablas area and is limited by the the amount of homes I have seen. Most homes here are not modern by US standards. Hot water is limited to the little faucet hot water units in the showers. Most homes do not use them. Nor is there hot water in the kitchens usually. Most homes will be unfurnished however sometimes you will get lucky and find a nice furnished home for rent. Kitchens are usually small with very few cabinets and a double sink if you are lucky. I have not seen a dishwasher in a home. I have seen a few airconditioners but I have never seen one actually turned on. Many homes do not have screens in windows. Sometimes there are no soffits in the perimeter walls either. Many times the windows are just latticed brick. Sometimes there is no interior ceiling and you can see the metal roof from inside the house(those homes are the hottest). The homes usually do not have enough electric outlets either. Occasionally the homes appear unfinished but here, they are actually finished. Clothes washers are usually used on the back porch and have to be brought in after use to prevent theft. The better houses have large patios and also metal bars on windows and doors. Most are tiled however some are just bare concrete. Also, the better homes have paint, many do not or are only painted in the front. Rent is paid to the owner usually. Electricity and water will be in the owners name but you can take the bill to the electric company and pay it. Most owners will pay the water bill. Homes are simple here but much cheaper than in the US. An attorney explained to me that a tenant can break a lease simply by giving the owner a 1 month notice. When you are looking at a house, look it over carefully. You will have to do all repairs once you move in. The owners just want the rent money, they could care less if you are happy in the house or not. And, they figure you are wealthy, and can afford to make the repairs anyway. I hope that helps.

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

My experience is limited to the Las Tablas area and is limited by the the amount of homes I have seen. Most homes here are not modern by US standards. Hot water is limited to the little faucet hot water units in the showers. Most homes do not use them. Nor is there hot water in the kitchens usually. Most homes will be unfurnished however sometimes you will get lucky and find a nice furnished home for rent. Kitchens are usually small with very few cabinets and a double sink if you are lucky. I have not seen a dishwasher in a home. I have seen a few airconditioners but I have never seen one actually turned on. Many homes do not have screens in windows. Sometimes there are no soffits in the perimeter walls either. Many times the windows are just latticed brick. Sometimes there is no interior ceiling and you can see the metal roof from inside the house(those homes are the hottest). The homes usually do not have enough electric outlets either. Occasionally the homes appear unfinished but here, they are actually finished. Clothes washers are usually used on the back porch and have to be brought in after use to prevent theft. The better houses have large patios and also metal bars on windows and doors. Most are tiled however some are just bare concrete. Also, the better homes have paint, many do not or are only painted in the front. Rent is paid to the owner usually. Electricity and water will be in the owners name but you can take the bill to the electric company and pay it. Most owners will pay the water bill. Homes are simple here but much cheaper than in the US. An attorney explained to me that a tenant can break a lease simply by giving the owner a 1 month notice. When you are looking at a house, look it over carefully. You will have to do all repairs once you move in. The owners just want the rent money, they could care less if you are happy in the house or not. And, they figure you are wealthy, and can afford to make the repairs anyway. I hope that helps.

and poller you forgot to mention the bugs , if it is not your home but a rented house you can count on roaches , and the neighbours might not be as worried as you to have the pest control guy come in , so it is a endless battle

OK, this is the tropics. We have bugs. And, since these homes are not sealed we have a lot of bugs. You can get pest control here though and it is probably worth it. I do my own spraying and I spray frequently-it doesn't get rid of the bugs but it does quiet down my wife a little.

I must travel in nicer circles. I have actually met some very nice owners, who took care of their renters quite well.
It all depends on the area, and the amount you are willing to spend.

Originally Posted by Mordekha

I must travel in nicer circles. I have actually met some very nice owners, who took care of their renters quite well.
It all depends on the area, and the amount you are willing to spend.

Which area was that & what were the rental costs?

Pollkeeper, I heard you take care of the repairs & deduct it from the rent.

Thanks everyone!


Michelle

Great question Michelle! I'm heading to Panama in 2012 and Las Tablas is officially off my list. Is a Panama City condo looking at the ocean for $1K to $1,500 monthly reasonable or even possible? My wife will require hot water without bugs throughout the house.

Concerning repairs. If the issue of repairs if brought up to the landlord they may or may not allow you to deduct the cost of repairs from the rent. Depends on the landlord. Now, most of you are probably wondering why rentals in good condition are hard to come by in the interior. The answer is that most Panamanians who make a decent salary own their own homes. There are many well-off families that are from the interior or have family in the interior and own second homes there. But most of these nicer homes are left vacant. There really is no rental market developed in most small towns. People don't know that they could rent the home to the right person for a good price if the home is in good condition. Or, they just don't know how to go about it. When you visit a small town it usually appears that no homes are for rent at all. That is because it is all word of mouth. Panamanians are also very leery to rent out a nice home to a stranger because they are afraid that it will become damaged or that the rent will not be paid. So, finding a nice home to rent can be very challenging. Sometimes it is worthwhile to find a place and then spruce it up. You might have to clean up the property and paint etc. Bring the property up to your standard so to speak. But, don't expect the landlord to help pay for any updates.

Originally Posted by Patnoel

Great question Michelle! I'm heading to Panama in 2012 and Las Tablas is officially off my list. Is a Panama City condo looking at the ocean for $1K to $1,500 monthly reasonable or even possible? My wife will require hot water without bugs throughout the house.

Yes $1200-1500 is about the price they go for by the water, up to 130 square meters or so, and in a decent building.

Originally Posted by janl

Yes $1200-1500 is about the price they go for by the water, up to 130 square meters or so, and in a decent building.

Thank you janl. I have 8 - 9 months to research Panama and surrounding countries and all of you make it possible.

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

Concerning repairs. If the issue of repairs if brought up to the landlord they may or may not allow you to deduct the cost of repairs from the rent. Depends on the landlord. Now, most of you are probably wondering why rentals in good condition are hard to come by in the interior. The answer is that most Panamanians who make a decent salary own their own homes. There are many well-off families that are from the interior or have family in the interior and own second homes there. But most of these nicer homes are left vacant. There really is no rental market developed in most small towns. People don't know that they could rent the home to the right person for a good price if the home is in good condition. Or, they just don't know how to go about it. When you visit a small town it usually appears that no homes are for rent at all. That is because it is all word of mouth. Panamanians are also very leery to rent out a nice home to a stranger because they are afraid that it will become damaged or that the rent will not be paid. So, finding a nice home to rent can be very challenging. Sometimes it is worthwhile to find a place and then spruce it up. You might have to clean up the property and paint etc. Bring the property up to your standard so to speak. But, don't expect the landlord to help pay for any updates.

Whether renting or owning, are painters, plumbers, electricians etc readily available for reasonable wages?

I thought about doing that, but after hearing all teh horror stories of dealing with Panamanian workers, to go thru that stress would kill me LOL

As for no bugs, dream on : ) I got eaten the first week I was here. I heard they like newcomers.

If you want a really good all natural insect repellent & lotion to take away the itching, let me know, I just picked up a bottle for $10 & have yet to try it (they've already all taken a bite of me LOL), but others swear by it.


Michelle

When you get settled down somewhere, you will meet nice folks who will recommend someone who can do repairs for you. There are plenty of handyman types in Panama and they are reasonably priced most of the time.

Originally Posted by Patnoel

Whether renting or owning, are painters, plumbers, electricians etc readily available for reasonable wages?

availability and price hardly a problem, level of skills generally poor tho!

Originally Posted by Patnoel

Thank you janl. I have 8 - 9 months to research Panama and surrounding countries and all of you make it possible.

yw patnoel that will leave u plenty of time to get the info u need. This really is a good place to put ur questions there always seems to be someone who knows!

Originally Posted by Patnoel

Whether renting or owning, are painters, plumbers, electricians etc readily available for reasonable wages?

they are available , just not always good at what they do . but they will keep trying to get it right as long as you keep paying , , near or in the city has alot better tradesmen than the interior , as they have had a long time doing it , down here everyone will tell you he knows how , they want work , and just because they turned on a light a few times does not make them a electrician ,

Well keep trying as long as you'll keep paying. Thats hilarious! I may re-think that fixer upper idea.

On the other hand, if I really need help, Pollerkeepers advice is reassuring.

Michelle, I'll let my wife know Michelle says they only bite newcomers for the first week. Of course I won't be telling her that until we're there. Until then... Shhhh! It will be our secret. By the way, what is the name of that lotion?

I'm getting the impression that a phone book listing licensed contractors and a BBB (Better Business Bureau) for complaints is not the Panamanian way. Am I right?

Originally Posted by Patnoel

Well keep trying as long as you'll keep paying. Thats hilarious! I may re-think that fixer upper idea.

On the other hand, if I really need help, Pollerkeepers advice is reassuring.

Michelle, I'll let my wife know Michelle says they only bite newcomers for the first week. Of course I won't be telling her that until we're there. Until then... Shhhh! It will be our secret. By the way, what is the name of that lotion?

I'm getting the impression that a phone book listing licensed contractors and a BBB (Better Business Bureau) for complaints is not the Panamanian way. Am I right?

lol yes thats right. But everybody knows somebody it seems. Once u are here and u need soemone u can ask on here or to any person you run into and they will get you someone. But again i hope you are not a detailfreak cause nobody here seems to be..

Btw i have been here since december and havent been bitten once except for some tiny mosquito bites that are gone an hour later, and i live right next to the park. In the city though im sure the interior is a different story.

I wrote a response to janl and selected "+Reply to Thread". My reply seems to have vanished. Maybe I should have selected Post Quick Reply.

I learned the hard way, when posting on sites, always copy & paste before sending The buttons on forums can be confusing at times. Don't worry, I've done the same thing & I'm a nettie & netrepreneur LOL


Michelle