Rental guarantees: all your options

Overview: which option suits you

① FGA (State) — best option with ≥3 months formal employment. One-time deposit of 24% of the guaranteed amount. ② ANDA — if you can affiliate as a worker. Monthly fee, no large initial deposit. ③ Private insurance — available to most, but higher monthly cost. ④ No guarantee / deposit — if the landlord agrees (legal since the LUC). Traditional property-backed guarantees (a guarantor who owns property in Uruguay) are not available to most newly arrived immigrants.

Option 1 — FGA: state guarantee (most accessible)

The Rental Guarantee Fund (FGA) is an MVOT programme in partnership with CGN and ANV. Explicitly applies to foreigners. Requirements: over 18; sustained formal income ≥3 months; household net income between 15 and 100 UR; no property ownership in the same department; no debt in the Clearing de Informes. Maximum guaranteed rent: 18 UR. Cost: one-time deposit of 24% (12% for 18-29 youth) + 3% monthly commission on rent. Once approved, 120 days to find housing and sign the contract through CGN. Montevideo/Canelones: book via 0800 46427. Rest of country: ANV offices.

Option 2 — ANDA: for affiliated workers

The National Association of Affiliates (ANDA) offers rental guarantees to its members. Any formal worker can affiliate by paying the monthly fee (check the current fee at anda.org.uy). Once affiliated, ANDA acts as guarantor with the landlord. No large initial deposit required like the FGA. Advantage: no big upfront deposit. Disadvantage: ongoing monthly fee and formal employment required. SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION: verify exact requirements (minimum affiliation period, maximum covered rent, current cost) directly at anda.org.uy or by calling 1730.

Option 3 — Private rental insurance

Several companies offer rental guarantee insurance in Uruguay. The best known: Porto Seguro (portoseguro.com.uy), SURA Uruguay (sura.com.uy) and Acrópolis. How it works: the tenant pays an annual premium (roughly 1–2 months of rent, varies by company and profile), and the insurer guarantees the landlord. They typically require: provable income and no negative records in the Clearing de Informes. SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION: exact costs and requirements vary by company and change frequently; consult each one directly.

Option 4 — No guarantee or cash deposit

Law 19,889 (LUC, Art. 432) allows renting without any guarantee if both parties agree. In practice, many landlords accept a cash deposit (equivalent to 2–3 months of rent) instead of a formal guarantee. Advantage: no institutional paperwork. Disadvantage: requires cash available upfront. Look for listings with "sin garantía" or "por LUC" in classifieds.