How to Rent a Shared Room in Laureles, Medellin

The rise of co-living and shared rooms in Laureles

Laureles, Medellín's iconic Comuna 11, has established itself as one of the most desirable areas for shared housing. With its flat, circular layout, tree-lined streets, and vibrant neighborhood life, it constantly attracts university students, young professionals, and remote workers. Proximity to the central campus of the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB), located at Circular 1 #70-01, combined with the gastronomic corridors of Avenida Nutibara, generates uninterrupted demand for rental rooms.

For owners or main tenants of large apartments in socioeconomic strata 4 and 5, renting out a spare room represents an extraordinary monthly income to cover the management fee or Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) utility bills. However, converting a residential property into shared housing requires legal rigor, clarity in accounts, and proper cohabitation screening.

Legal framework for shared housing: What Law 820 of 2003 requires

In Colombia, renting individual rooms within a residential property is not an informal activity outside the law. Law 820 of 2003 Law 820 of 2003 (Urban Housing Rental Regime) expressly regulates the concept of shared housing in its Articles 2 and 3, defining it as housing where the use of an independent part of the property (the room) is ceded, while sharing common utility areas such as the kitchen, laundry area, and living room.

Obligations of the host and the tenant

Under Article 9 of Law 820 of 2003, the landlord has a legal obligation to maintain all common areas and the property's utilities in optimal working order, sanitary, and safe conditions. For their part, the tenant must care for the assigned room and respect the appropriate use of shared areas.

Prohibition of cash deposits (Article 16)

A recurring mistake among owners in Medellín is to demand a "month of cash deposit" to cover potential damages or non-payment. Article 16 of Law 820 of 2003 strictly establishes that in urban housing rental contracts money deposits or real guarantees cannot be demanded. Any contractual stipulation to the contrary is null and void.

How then to protect your assets? The law allows for requiring advance payment of the first month's rent, verifiable references, and the preparation of a detailed inventory with photographic records, signed by both parties at the time of handing over the room.

Are you going to sublet? Check Article 17

If you are the main tenant of an apartment in Laureles and wish to rent one of the vacant rooms to a roommate, keep Article 17 of Law 820 of 2003 in mind. The rule establishes that the tenant does not have the authority to sublet without express written authorization from the owner. Subletting without this written endorsement constitutes legal grounds for the unilateral and immediate termination of the main contract.

If you seek to avoid penalties or contractual surprises, it is essential to study in detail the illegal and abusive clauses in rental contracts under Law 820 to ensure that your agreement is 100% legal.

Setting market prices and distributing EPM services in Laureles

Establishing the correct price for a room in Laureles prevents the space from remaining unoccupied for weeks or losing profitability. In the residential sectors of Comuna 11, classified mostly in strata 4 and 5, the reference monthly rent for a furnished individual room is between COP 800,000 and COP 1,500,000.

Variables that determine the value in the area include:

• Private bathroom: Increases the monthly value compared to a bathroom shared among several tenants.
• Location and accessibility: Rooms located a few minutes' walk from the First Park of Laureles (Avenida Nutibara with Circular 1 / Transversal 39B), the Second Park of Laureles (Transversal 39A with Circular 73B), or the Floresta and Estadio stations of Line B of the Medellín Metro reach the higher ends of the market.
• Balcony or natural outdoor lighting: Highly valued by professionals who work remotely.

How to manage household public utilities?

EPM utility bills in strata 4 and 5 of the Aburrá Valley do not have state subsidies. To avoid monthly friction between occupants over electricity, water, and gas consumption, the most recommended and efficient method is to set a global monthly rent with utilities and high-speed internet included.

When calculating this rent, estimate the weighted average cost of services and include a responsible consumption clause within the written cohabitation agreement. If you wish to understand in depth how the liquidation of utilities is calculated according to stratification in Colombia, consult our guide on how to calculate the cost of utilities by stratum.

Additionally, when structuring payment agreements, be sure to agree on the necessary legal safeguards by consulting aspects of utility service guarantees in rental contracts.

Cohabitation rules and security filters to select candidates

Living under the same roof requires setting clear boundaries from day one. A good room rental contract must be accompanied by an Internal Cohabitation Manual written explicitly.

Key points the cohabitation agreement must include:

• Visits and overnight stays: Define whether visitors are permitted in common areas, visiting hours, and whether overnight stays by third parties are prohibited or require an additional fee.
• Rest hours: Establish quiet hours (e.g., from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) to protect the sleep and concentration of inhabitants.
• Use and cleaning of the kitchen and laundry: Set shifts for immediate cleaning after preparing food and an equitable schedule for shared areas.
• High-consumption appliances: Specify the permitted use of portable air conditioners or electric heaters in individual rooms.

Essential filters before handing over the keys

According to active listings on Colombia Move (September 2026), there are 11 room ads and 3,504 views; that turnover requires a rigorous selection process to ensure the security of the home:

1. Verification of activity: Request a valid university enrollment certificate or a work certification issued by the hiring company.
2. Identity and background check: Verify the citizen ID or Foreigner ID on the public platforms of the National Police and the Comptroller's Office.
3. Prior in-person or virtual interview: Talk about daily habits, work routines, and pets before confirming the rental.

How to prepare the room and publish your ad without intermediaries

To attract calm and responsible tenants, the visual presentation of the room is decisive. Make sure to paint the walls in neutral colors, verify that electrical outlets work correctly, and sanitize the mattress and closets.

When photographing the space, take advantage of the morning's natural light. Capture wide angles of the room, the assigned bathroom, and common areas (organized kitchen, living room, and laundry area). Avoid posting dark photos or ones with messy personal items.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Can I rent out a room if I am a tenant and not the property owner?

Yes, but only with written authorization from the owner. Article 17 of Law 820 of 2003, in effect in 2026, allows the main contract to be terminated if there is unauthorized subleasing.

❓ Is it legal to charge one month's cash deposit to reserve the room?

No: Article 16 of Law 820 of 2003, in effect in 2026, prohibits cash deposits. Protect the property with advance rent and a signed inventory, not with a monetary security deposit.

❓ How much can be charged for a room in Laureles in 2026?

In strata 4 and 5 of Laureles, the reference range in 2026 is between COP 800,000 and COP 1,500,000. It increases or decreases depending on a private bathroom, furnishings, balcony, and proximity to UPB or the parks.

❓ How should EPM utility bills be divided between roommates?

Include a fixed amount for EPM and internet in the monthly rent. This way you avoid disputes over variable energy and water consumption, with efficient use clauses in effect in 2026.

❓ What rules of coexistence help avoid scams when renting a room?

Agree in writing on noise, nighttime visits, and cleaning shifts. Define fridge, pantry, and common area usage; in 2026, those filters reduce conflicts and improve housing security.

❓ Where can I publish a room for rent in Medellin without intermediaries?

You can publish on direct-deal portals, without a real estate agency. In the housing section of Colombia Move, in effect in 2026, you connect via WhatsApp with interested parties in Laureles without commissions.