Inquilino / Arrendatario (Tenant)een-kee-LEE-noh
Inquilino is the person who rents and occupies a property under a lease agreement, paying rent to the landlord (arrendador). Federal Civil Code Article 2398 defines arrendamiento as a contract where one party grants temporary use of a property and the other pays rent; inquilino is the everyday term, arrendatario the legal one.
By Daniel Ortega · Last reviewed 12 November 2026
How it works
In Mexico and Quintana Roo, a foreign landlord renting out property deals with inquilinos governed by Federal Civil Code Articles 2398-2447. Monthly rent in Quintana Roo ranges from USD 500-800 for unfurnished long-term housing in local neighborhoods (Cancún Supermanzanas, Playa del Carmen Colosio) to USD 900-1,400 for furnished one-bedroom units in tourist zones (Cancún Centro, Playa del Carmen downtown), and USD 1,500-3,000 or more in premium areas (Puerto Cancún, Playacar, Zona Hotelera). Rental contracts typically require a security deposit (depósito en garantía) of one to two months' rent; one month is standard for unfurnished housing, two months for furnished or high-value properties. The tenant must pay rent on time (Article 2425), maintain the property in good condition, and may not modify it without written permission. Landlords must deliver the property in habitable condition and perform major repairs. The security deposit must be returned at lease end after deducting any damage beyond normal wear or unpaid rent, governed by Federal Civil Code Articles 2516 and 2422. Neither inquilino nor arrendatario acquires ownership rights through long-term rental; adverse possession does not apply when a lease exists.