How to Rent Out a Vacation Home in Colombia: Contracts, Deposits, and Security (A Guide for Property Owners)

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

The Colombian vacation home market is also a minefield of legal misinformation. Many owners assume that renting out their country house for the weekend works the same way as leasing an apartment in the city. I have personally seen owners lose money by using generic stationery store contracts that do not protect them, or by ignoring the tourism regulations in effect as of 2026.

If you want to monetize your property without headaches, you need to shield your operation. According to data from active listings on Colombia Move (July 2026), there are currently 18 vacation homes 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 vacation home 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 as 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 vacation home 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 rather 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 procedure through the Confecámaras portal, but the consequences of not having it are severe. Fines for advertising or renting a vacation home for tourism purposes without a valid RNT range between 5 and 50 current legal monthly minimum wages (SMMLV). With the 2026 minimum wage at COP 1,750,905, we are talking about sanctions that can ruin an entire year's profitability.

3. Security Deposits: Are They Legal for Vacation Homes?

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

Charging a security deposit is a realistic way to protect yourself against pool damage, broken furniture, or excessive utility bills. Put the amount, the return conditions, and the damages that could be deducted in writing, always backed by the inventory.

4. Key Clauses and the Contract Inventory

A good lodging or rural lease contract saves you from endless fights. Do not rely on good faith; put everything in writing. These are the clauses that I consider non-negotiable:

• Guest limit: Define exactly how many people can sleep there and how many can spend the day (day-use). Overcrowding can overload rural septic systems.
• Pool and common area usage: Make the rules clear regarding access, supervision of minors, schedules, and incident management; review the applicable coverage and responsibilities for your operation with a professional.
• Noise and pet rules: Establish quiet hours for music and clear conditions for receiving animals.

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

5. Mandatory Reporting: Lodging Registration Card

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

Filling out the TRA provides proof of the lodging contract and is part of the tourism provider's obligations. Keep the procedure integrated into the key handover process so that no check-in goes unregistered.

6. Horizontal Property and Digital Platforms

If your vacation home is located within a country condominium or gated community under the horizontal property regime, you have an additional obstacle. You cannot simply upload the property to the internet and start receiving tourists.

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

Frequently asked questions

❓ Is it legal to charge a security deposit to rent a vacation home in Colombia?

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

❓ What happens if I rent my vacation home by the day without having the National Tourism Registry (RNT)?

You are operating illegally. According to the tourism regulations in force as of July 2026, you are exposed to fines of 5 to 50 SMMLV, in addition to the sealing (closure) of the property.

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

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

❓ Can I rent my vacation home for events or parties if it is in a country condominium?

It strictly depends on your condominium's horizontal property regulations. If internal rules prohibit commercial or tourist activities, you will not be able to do so, even if you have an active RNT.

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

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