Accommodation in Buenos Aires

Accommodation in Buenos Aires is plentiful, ranging from serviced apartments and short-term rentals to villas available for purchase. If you move to Buenos Aires, you’ll likely prefer renting accommodation near the city centre. If you’re in Argentina for longer, however, you often decide to buy property.

Most expats choose to live in the upmarket, more expensive areas of Buenos Aires, so if you want to live near other expats, you may have to come to terms with high rental prices.

Areas and suburbs in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires has a variety of areas and suburbs that cater to expats seeking a comfortable and culturally diverse lifestyle. Buenos Aires is a city of contrasts and an exciting place to discover and find your perfect home.

The most popular suburbs of Buenos Aires for expats are Palermo, Recoleta, Belgrano and San Telmo. Palermo is known for its trendy cafés, restaurants and boutiques, its tree-lined streets and parks, and its magnetic nightlife. Recoleta is a more upscale option, with high-end boutiques and gourmet restaurants, stunning architecture, and its cultural offerings. With its leafy streets, green spaces and proximity to the city centre, Belgrano is a sought-after destination if you have children.

Schools in Buenos Aires
Best Areas and Suburbs for Expats in Buenos Aires

Types of accommodation in Buenos Aires

There’s a variety of types of accommodation in Buenos Aires, from traditional apartments to unique and quirky options. One unique type of accommodation is the casa chorizo. These houses are typically long and narrow, with rooms arranged linearly with a connecting patio on one of the long sides. They were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to accommodate growing families in a relatively small amount of space. Casas chorizo often have traditional architectural details like wrought-iron balconies, wooden shutters and decorative mouldings.

Propiedad horizontal (PH) apartments are a type of condominium unique to Argentina. These apartments were initially conceived as a way of subdividing large houses or mansions into smaller, more affordable apartments, but they are popular, with many modern buildings being constructed in this way. PH buildings typically feature high ceilings, large windows, and a central courtyard or garden that is shared by the residents. Each apartment in a PH building has its own private entrance from the street, and residents own their individual units but share ownership of the common areas.

Other popular options include modern apartments in high-rise buildings, shared apartments, and short-term rentals.

Useful links

• Airbnb
• Vrbo
• Booking.com

Finding accommodation in Buenos Aires

Finding accommodation in Buenos Aires can be straightforward thanks to the availability of online resources and real estate agents. Still, put in the time and effort to do your own research and stay vigilant of scams. Online platforms are popular for finding apartments and houses for rent. Facebook groups and local classifieds can also be valuable resources.

The best way to find long-term accommodation in Buenos Aires is often through an estate agent. Estate agents have access to the best listings and can help you secure accommodation, whether to purchase or rent. If you don’t speak Spanish, having the assistance of an estate agent can also be very useful.

Some people moving to Buenos Aires will be lucky enough to have a relocation company working on their behalf, which will assess their preferences and shortlist properties for them to view.

Relocation Companies in Argentina

Useful links

• MercadoLibre
• ZonaProp
• ArgenProp
• Properati

Renting accommodation in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a bustling and cosmopolitan city that attracts a lot of expats and students. After rent control laws were abolished in 2024, housing supply exploded, real rental prices fell, and it’s easier than it used to be to lock down a rental.

Making an application

Landlords typically require a guarantor, known as a garantía, who must be a resident of Buenos Aires and provide proof of income. Expats who don’t have a local network can use a guarantor service. Alternatively, if you can pay six or more months of rent upfront, many landlords will waive the guarantor requirement.

Leases

Lease agreements typically default to two years when unspecified, although other durations can be negotiated. Early termination can result in financial penalties, and landlords may have different policies regarding pets in their rental properties.

Deposits

Landlords in Buenos Aires typically require tenants to pay one month’s rent upfront and a security deposit equal to one month’s rent. Guarantors or additional deposits may be required for long-term leases.

Terminating the lease

Tenants can typically terminate their lease by providing written notice to the landlord. The required notice period varies depending on the lease terms, but landlords generally require between one and three months’ notice.

Read more about Renting Accommodation in Argentina.

Utilities in Buenos Aires

Tenants in Buenos Aires need to set up water, gas, and electricity accounts with the relevant companies, and some may require a deposit. Bin collection and rubbish disposal are typically the responsibility of the local municipality.

There are several utility companies in Buenos Aires, including Aguas y Saneamientos Argentinos (AySA) for water and sewage, Metrogas for natural gas, and Edenor and Edesur for electricity.

Most rental properties will already have electricity, gas, and water connected, and you’ll simply need to transfer the account to your name. Customers must provide their identification documents, proof of address, and sometimes a deposit to set up utility services. Some companies may require a contract to be signed, while others may offer services on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Electricity

Buenos Aires electricity services are provided by two main distributors: Edenor (serving northern and western areas) and Edesur (covering southern and central zones). Both companies offer online portals for account management and bill payments.

Gas

Metrogas is the primary natural gas distributor for Buenos Aires, and it supplies gas for heating, cooking, and hot water in most properties. To transfer the account to your name, you’ll need to contact Metrogas directly with your lease agreement and identification documents. The company offers various payment options and online account management through their website.

Water

Water and sewage services in Buenos Aires have historically been provided by AySA (Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos), which serves the city and surrounding areas. The Argentine government formally announced AySA’s privatisation in July 2025, although this will take some time to realise.

Water quality in Buenos Aires is generally good and safe to drink from the tap. To set up your water account, you’ll need to provide proof of residence and identification. Bills are typically issued monthly and can be paid online or at various payment centres throughout the city.

Bins and recycling

Buenos Aires has a two-stream waste separation system, with grey bins for mixed waste and green containers for recyclable materials. The city is working towards having a green recycling container within 150 metres of every residence.

You’ll need to separate your waste accordingly, with recyclables including paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and metals going into green containers. Waste collection is managed by the city government, and collection schedules vary by neighbourhood. Check with your landlord or neighbours to find out what day the rubbish is collected.

Useful links

• AySA water and sewage services
• Metrogas
• Edenor
• Edesur
• Buenos Aires City Government