How to Rent a Recreational Farm in Colombia: Contracts, Deposits, and Security (A Guide for Owners)

Quick answer: Renting recreational properties for more than 30 days is governed by the Civil Code, making security deposits 100% legal. However, if you rent for less than 30 days, the law classifies it as a "lodging contract," requiring you to have an active National Tourism Registry (RNT) and report your guests on the TRA to avoid penalties.

The recreational property market in Colombia is also a minefield of legal misinformation. Many owners assume that renting out their country house for the weekend works the same as renting an apartment in the city. I've personally seen owners lose money by using generic contracts that don't protect them or by ignoring the tourism regulations in effect in 2026.

If you want to monetize your property without headaches, you need to secure your operation. According to data from active listings on Colombia Move (July 2026), there are currently 18 properties for rent on our platform: a concrete sample of the direct supply available today.

1. The Legal Framework: Law 820 or Civil Code?

The most common and dangerous mistake you can make is trying to regulate the rental of your rural property under Law 820 of 2003. Honestly, skip that law unless your property is strictly urban housing. The scope of Law 820 excludes rural and recreational properties.

If you rent your property for a period longer than 30 days, the relationship is governed by the Colombian Civil Code (Articles 1973 to 2035). This gives you enormous contractual freedom. Just like when you rent a commercial space in Colombia, the rules of the game change: you can freely negotiate annual increases, termination clauses, and guarantees.

2. The 30-Day Threshold and the National Tourism Registry (RNT)

The red line in Colombia is 30 days. If you rent your property for weekends, long weekends, or short periods, the law (Law 300 of 1996 and Law 2068 of 2020) no longer considers it a lease, but a tourist lodging contract.

To operate legally under this modality, it is absolutely mandatory to have the National Tourism Registry (RNT). Obtaining it is a free process through the Confecámaras portal, but the consequences of not having it are severe. Fines for advertising or renting a property for tourist purposes without a valid RNT range from 5 to 50 legal monthly minimum wages (SMMLV). With the 2026 minimum wage at COP 1,750,905, we are talking about penalties that can break the profitability of an entire year.

3. Security Deposits: Are They Legal for Recreational Properties?

Yes, they are 100% legal and valid! There's a huge myth that you can't ask for a cash deposit in Colombia. This is true for city apartment tenants, a topic we detail thoroughly in our guide on security deposits and guarantees. However, since recreational properties operate under the Civil Code (or as tourist lodging), the prohibition in Law 820 does not apply.

Charging a security deposit is a realistic way to protect yourself against damage to the pool, broken furniture, or overflowing utility bills. Specify the amount, the conditions for return, and the damages that could be deducted, always supported by the inventory.

4. Key Clauses and the Contract Inventory

A good lodging or rural lease contract saves you from endless disputes. Don't rely on goodwill; put everything in writing. These are the clauses I consider non-negotiable:

• Guest limit: Exactly define how many people can sleep over and how many can visit during the day (day pass). Overcrowding can overload rural septic systems.
• Use of pool and common areas: Clarify access rules, supervision of minors, hours, and incident management; review applicable coverages and responsibilities for your operation with a professional.
• Noise and pet rules: Establish hours for music and clear conditions for bringing animals.

Finally, the inventory. Never hand over the keys without a signed document detailing the condition of the house. If you have doubts about how to document this, check out how to handle inventory and natural wear and tear in furnished properties. Take photos on the same day of handover.

5. Mandatory Reporting: Accommodation Registration Card

If you operate short-term rentals, you must register all guests—Colombian and foreign—on the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism's Accommodation Registration Card (TRA).

Filling out the TRA serves as proof of the lodging contract and is part of the tourist provider's obligations. Keep the procedure integrated with key handover so that no check-in goes unregistered.

6. Horizontal Property and Digital Platforms

If your property is within a country condominium or gated community under a horizontal property regime, you have an additional obstacle. You can't just upload the property online and start receiving tourists.

For tourist rentals to be legal, the Horizontal Property Regulations must expressly authorize it. If the internal rules prohibit it, having an active RNT does not remove that restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is it legal to charge a security deposit for renting a recreational property in Colombia?

Yes, it is completely legal. As rural properties or those intended for tourist rental, they are governed by the Civil Code, which allows for security deposits, unlike urban housing regulated by Law 820.

❓ What happens if I rent out my property for days without the National Tourism Registry (RNT)?

You are operating illegally. According to current tourism regulations consulted in July 2026, you risk fines from 5 to 50 SMMLV, in addition to the sealing of the property.

❓ What is the difference between a rural lease agreement and a lodging agreement?

The main difference lies in the duration. If you rent for less than 30 days, it's a tourist lodging contract that requires an RNT. If it exceeds 30 days, it's a rural property lease agreement governed by the Civil Code.

❓ Can I rent out my property for events or parties if it's in a country condominium?

It strictly depends on your condominium's horizontal property regulations. If internal rules prohibit commercial or tourist activity, you won't be able to do it, even if you have an active RNT.

❓ How should I handle the property's inventory when handing it over to the tenant?

You must create a detailed, signed inventory, accompanied by dated photographs of the furniture, appliances, and pool equipment. This document supports any deposit deductions if damages occur.