Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. "How do I make a reservation?"
You chose the apartment or room that you would like to reserve, and send us an email stating its ID and the period of time you would like to rent it. We confirm the availability and send you the reservation form. Fill in the reservation form and send it to us by email. To secure your reservation, we require a Reservation Deposit of 100 USD. This you can send either by paypal, by creditcard, or in cash in our office. See How to reserve apartments for more information.
2. How long do I have to wait for a reply?
If your send your reservation from Monday-Friday during our office hours, you usually won´t have to wait more than 12 hrs hours for a reply.
3. Can I see an apartment/room before I rent it?
Of course. If you are in Santiago already, we will arrange for you to see the apartments first before reserving and before paying any fees or comission.
4. How reliable is the availability-information that is displayed next to the apartments?
We try to keep that information as updated as possible, because we know it´s not nice to try to reserve an apartment and later be told it wasn´t available. Still, although we try our best, we can not guarantee that the information is always 100% correct- that´s why we need to confirm reservations by email. But don´t worry, in general you may rely on the information displayed.
5. What is the minimum length for the tenancy?
The rooms and apartments in our database are usually rented out for periods of at least 1 month, but you may also find some options that are available for smaller periods.
6. What is the Reservation Deposit?
To secure your reservation, you need to transfer the Reservation Deposit. This Deposit equals 100 USD and is payable via internet (Paypal or Credit Card) or in cash in our office. The Reservation Deposit will be returned to you immediately when you pay your first month´s rent. Transfer the Reservation Deposit using this LINK
7. What is the Security-Deposit?
The Security Deposit equals one month´s rent. It covers eventual losses of inventory and damages in the apartment. It is payable before you move into your flat/room here in Santiago and will be returned to you in full at the end of your stay, given that you leave the apartment in a good state.
8. What payment-methods are available?
You can pay in cash (USD/EUR/Pesos) or by credit card (Visa/Master), or by paypal deposit. The monthly rent you pay directly to the owner of the department, usually in cash.
9. If I would like to leave the apartment before the end of the contract, will I get some money back?
It depends on your landlord. Your landlord is not obliged to reeimburse you if you decide not to stick to the contract. The comission is non-refundable. The security deposit however will be returned to you.
10. What is the comission and how do I pay it?
The comission is the service fee santiagocityapartments charges for the agency service it performs. The comission is payable ONLY if you actually rent an apartment through us and before the period of the rent starts. It can be paid in cash, by credit card (Master/Visa) or by paypal deposit. The comission payment is non-refundable.
11. If I want to stay longer, how can I extend my reservation?
Let´s say you rented an apartment for 3 months and you would like to stay another 3 months. In that case, we will make a new contract with you and the landlord for the additional period. As it is a new contract, santiagocityapartments charges a new comission according to our price-list (click here to calculate the comission). The Security Deposit you already paid will be kept safely until you finally leave the apartment.
12. What time can I check in and when do I have to check out?
The check-in for your apartment is arranged with your landlord. You should leave the room/apartment until 12 pm (noon) the day you check out.
13. If I would like to start a renting period on a date different from the 1st of a month, is it posible?
Normally there´s no problem renting an apartment from, lets say, 14th July. In that case, the rent would be paid only for the part of the month during which you occupy the apartment (in our example you have 17 days left in July, so you would pay 17/31 * the monthly rent).
14. If I would like to change apartments/rooms after some time, is it possible?
Remember that the contract you sign is fixed. That means: both you and the landlord are comitted to serve the contract. If you would like to leave your apartment earlier than expected, you have to talk to the landlord and make a special deal with her or him, just like with any normal rental agreement.
15. What are "additional costs"?
The term additional costs is used here for all side-cost that you have when renting an apartment. Most items are based on your use, including: Hot-/cold water, electricity, gas, and heating. Other fixed monthly costs also included are the building-costs. Don´t be afraid, we´ll tell you quite exactly how much you will have to pay before you rent the apartment. Sometimes, the rent-payment published on the site already includes the additional costs. This is generally more often so for rooms, than for apartments. Additional costs are mostly to be paid at the end of a month or around the 15th. The additional cost given in the apartment-description is approximated. The exact amount mostly depends on your personal use.
16. What kind of payment receipts do you provide for companies?
If you rent an apartment as a company, we can provide you with an electronic bill for the comission. If you need a bill for the rent payments too, let us know. We will provide you with a special list of apartment-options that provide billing service.