A complete guide to presenting a strong rental proposal and increasing your chances of approval

Renting an apartment in Mexico City is not just about liking the property.

In practice, what determines whether your application is approved is the strength of your proposal and the legal certainty you provide to the landlord.

In this guide, we explain what is typically required, why these requirements exist, and how you can strengthen your proposal to make it more attractive and competitive.

1. Basic documents and requirements to rent in Mexico City

Although requirements may vary slightly depending on the property, most residential leases require the following:

• Valid government-issued identification
• Valid visa or immigration document (for foreign nationals)
• Proof of lawful income
• Employment letter or valid employment contract
• Bank statements
• Credit bureau report
• Completion of forms required by the legal lease protection policy

These documents are used for the legal screening process, which is the backbone of formal residential leasing in Mexico City.

You can see the full list here: See what documents are required to rent.

2. Security deposit: how many months are required?

The security deposit is intended to cover damages, unpaid services, or breaches at the end of the lease term. It is not rent and not the last month’s payment.

Typical practice is as follows:

Unfurnished apartment

• 1 month security deposit

Furnished apartment

• 2 months security deposit
• One to cover the property
• One to cover the furniture

Although the actual value of the furniture is often much higher, this deposit allows the landlord to recover part of their investment in case of damage due to misuse (sofas, appliances, decorative items, etc.).

If you have a pet (dog or cat)

• Unfurnished: 1.5 to 2 months is commonly recommended
• Furnished: 2 months, with stronger emphasis on offering the full amount

Declaring your pet from the beginning strengthens your proposal and builds trust with the landlord.

3. Legal lease protection policy: a key (and mandatory) requirement

In Mexico, it is the tenant’s responsibility to provide legal protection to the landlord. For this reason, the legal lease protection policy must be paid in full by the tenant.

Requesting to split the cost weakens your proposal and reduces the likelihood of approval.

What does the legal protection policy do?

• Screens the tenant
• Verifies income, credit history, and legal background
• Reviews personal and professional references
• Formalizes the lease agreement
• Provides legal support during the lease term
• Seeks recovery of the property in case of breach

We recommend reading: What Is a Legal Lease Protection Policy and Why Is It So Important?

4. Promissory notes: are they mandatory?

Yes, in most cases. Promissory notes are a standard requirement of the legal lease protection policy.

It is important to understand that:

• They are not automatically enforced
• They do not replace civil lease proceedings
• Refusing to sign them is an exception, subject to the landlord’s express approval, and reduces the probability of acceptance

5. Lease term duration

• The most common structure is a one-year lease
• Lease terms shorter than one year are generally unattractive to landlords
• Longer lease terms are possible if mutually agreed

Demonstrating an intention to stay long term significantly strengthens your profile.

6. How to make your rental proposal stronger and more convincing

Beyond meeting the basic requirements, you can significantly improve your proposal if you:

• Submit documentation quickly and completely
• Provide a reservation deposit to formalize the transaction
• Offer months of rent paid in advance (optional, but very effective)
• Avoid negotiating too many conditions upfront
• Accept the legal protection policy and promissory notes without exceptions
• Propose a near-term move-in date
• Clearly define signing and move-in dates
• Maintain clear, organized, and timely communication

Important reminder: as a real estate brokerage, we act as intermediaries. All proposals are submitted to the landlord, who has the final decision.

Quick checklist: are you ready to rent?

• Valid identification
• Verifiable income (3-to-1 income ratio)
• Healthy credit history
• Acceptance of the legal protection policy
• Acceptance of promissory notes
• Correct security deposit based on the property
• Clear and complete proposal
• Reservation deposit ready to formalize

Helpful links

• What Is a Legal Lease Protection Policy and Why Is It Important?
• Guarantor, Property Guarantor, or Joint and Several Obligor: What’s the Difference?
• See what documents are required to rent

Conclusion

Renting an apartment in Mexico City is not only about meeting requirements, but about presenting a clear, solid, and trustworthy proposal.

The more legal certainty and commitment you demonstrate, the easier it will be for the landlord to choose your application.

Understanding this process from the beginning saves time, money, and frustration—and puts you in a much stronger position as a tenant.