What Documents Do I Need to Rent an Apartment in Mexico City?

A practical guide based on the type of protection and guarantee.

When renting a property in Mexico City, the documentation depends on the type of protection and the guarantee in the contract: a legal lease policy (póliza jurídica), an individual or corporate co-signer, or a guarantor with real estate. Here we explain the requirements to rent in Mexico City that normally apply in each case, under the legal lease policy scheme we use at Mundo Urbano, so you have clarity from the start and avoid delays.

This is the base documentation. Depending on the profile, the property or the policy's decision, additional documents may be requested, and you will be informed in good time.

What the legal lease policy evaluates

• Verifiable income under the 3-to-1 rule (at least three times the rent)
• Lawful source of funds: employment letter or contract, ownership stake in a company, etc.
• Healthy history with the credit bureau (Buró de Crédito)
• No relevant legal or criminal record
• Consistency and truthfulness of the information

1. Individual tenant

• Valid official ID (INE (voter ID) or passport)
• Proof of income for the last 3 months in PDF: bank statements, payslips with a QR code or SAT digital stamp, or invoices for services
• Employment letter or current employment contract; if self-employed, evidence of your activity
• Tax Status Certificate (Constancia de Situación Fiscal) no more than one month old
• Policy forms: rental application and authorization for a credit bureau check
• If you are a foreign national or expat, also: passport and valid immigration document

2. Individual co-signer

The co-signer signs together with the tenant and takes on the same obligations, which is why the documentation is very similar:

• Valid official ID
• Proof of income for the last 3 months in PDF
• Employment letter or current employment contract; if self-employed, evidence of their activity
• Policy forms: co-signer application and authorization for a credit bureau check

3. Corporate tenant or co-signer

The background check focuses on the company's legal, tax and financial capacity:

• Articles of incorporation stamped as registered with the Public Registry, including the legal representative's powers
• Tax Status Certificate and proof of address for the registered tax address
• Proof of income: latest financial statements, interim or annual tax returns, and complete bank statements covering 3 to 1 of the rent, in PDF
• Notarized power of attorney and the legal representative's ID (if a foreign national, their immigration document)
• Rental application and authorization for a credit bureau check signed by the legal representative, or their credit report less than one month old
• Email and phone number of the legal representative or of the contact person during the lease

The legal representative signs the contract and the application forms. Details in Documents required for companies.

4. Guarantor with real estate

In addition to the personal background check, the property offered as collateral is reviewed.

From the guarantor:

• Valid official ID (if a foreign national, their immigration document)
• Current proof of address
• Authorization for legal and credit checks
• Marriage certificate, or if widowed, will or probate court ruling
• Policy application form and up-to-date Tax Status Certificate

From the property:

• Deed stamped as registered with the Public Registry, free of liens, or a mortgage cancellation deed
• Lien-free certificate no more than one month old (the policy can obtain it)
• Current property tax (predial) bill and proof of address for the property

If the guarantor is married under community property, the spouse's ID is also required and both sign the contract. Details in Guarantor requirements.

Advance payment and payment of the policy

• To start the background check, an advance payment is required, which is non-refundable because it corresponds to an analysis service.
• The total cost of the policy is paid by the tenant.
• The balance is paid on the day of signing, less the advance payment.

Final considerations

Arriving with the correct documentation speeds up the process, reduces follow-up requests, improves the likelihood of approval, and avoids delays. If additional information is needed during the background check, it will be requested specifically.