27 / 30
© 2017-2018 Dwellworks
Page 26
Discovering Mexico
Maintaining a Rental Property
The landlord is solely responsible for structural damages. The tenant is responsible for
normal wear and tear, and everyday repairs. Tenants are responsible for faucets, light
bulbs, and toilets.
Utilities
The relocating employee usually arranges telephone, cable, and internet connections,
contacting several providers that offer different plans to find the plan best suited to their
needs.
A private company distributes gas, and the building administration charges the tenants.
Houses normally have a private contract with gas companies and receive the service
depending on their consumption. All bills can be paid online, at banks, or even at
supermarkets or any convenience store (Oxxo, Seven Eleven, Super K, etc.).
Water and electricity bills always stay under the landlord’s name. The bills are paid every
30 or 60 days depending on the state. These companies are government owned, and for
this reason there is a lot of bureaucracy that can create frustration when dealing with
inaccurate invoices or meter readings.
Departure
Returning a Property
A typical departure begins with lease termination and notice to the landlord of your
intention to vacate, followed by a pre move-out walkthrough of the rental property to
assess possible damages/items to need to be fixed or cleaned. When you return the
property to the landlord, the property must be in its original condition, minus normal wear
and tear. Cleaning, repainting if you changed wall color, and repair of any damaged items
during this period will be your responsibility.
Avoid hammering nails or screws into wall tiles or their junctions, Formica cabinets,
wooden doors or walls, or any surface that can’t be easily repaired because this is one of
the most important details when returning a property. The documents that would guide you
on what needs to be done before returning the keys are the lease contract and the
inventory list made at the beginning of the lease period.
Helpful Hint:
Relocating employees should maintain records throughout their
stay in Mexico showing proof of payment of all services, particularly water and
electricity.