saint lucia real estate
Key Requirements for St Lucia Long Term Rentals
In St Lucia long term rentals are for a period of 6 months and over. Anything below that is considered short term. A variety of people rent out long term including those who live on island or those visiting to experience a Caribbean lifestyle. Whatever the case, the requirements for securing a St Lucia long term rental are the same. Understanding these procedures will make one’s transition into a new property effortless and ultimately, rewarding.
Deposit
The security deposit is equivalent to one month’s rent. This is paid by the tenant to reserve the property and take it off the market. With St Lucia long term rentals, the deposit is not treated as an advance payment for the last month of tenancy. Rather, it is held by the landlord and returned to the tenant at the end of the lease pending a property inspection.
The refunding of the security deposit for St Lucia long term rentals is contingent upon the terms set out in the lease. The most important of these is the agreed time period for occupying the property. If it is agreed in advance that the property will be leased for 1 year, the deposit will only be returned after that period has expired.
Utilities
For some St Lucia long term rentals, the utilities are included in the rent. However, this is not always the case and the tenant will have to register the utilities in their name. This is a simple procedure and is the same for both locals and visitors. The water and electricity companies provide standard forms which the tenant fills out and returns along with a copy of the landlord’s ID card. In the case of water, there is no registration fee. The electricity company charges an EC$100 fee. The utility registration forms for St Lucia long term rentals are available at WASCO and LUCELEC offices.
When reserving St Lucia long term rentals, be sure to go through the lease in detail with your agent and landlord. A clear understanding and open communication is often all that is needed to ensure a successful tenancy. In the end you will find a great rental that will bring months or years of fulfillment.
