Which contract do you need?
Four of the contracts foreigners in Colombia sign most often. Each draft uses plain-English clauses with the Spanish heading beside every section.
Your starter draft
Request a fixed-fee review on WhatsApp
Questions people ask before signing in Colombia
Is a draft from this tool a valid contract in Colombia?
It is a starter draft, not a finished contract. Most private contracts in Colombia are consensual and can bind the parties once signed, but validity in practice depends on the parties' capacity, the specific formalities that apply to your situation, and correct drafting of the economic terms. Use the draft to structure the conversation, then have it reviewed by a licensed Colombian practitioner before anyone signs.
Can a residential lease in Colombia require a cash deposit?
No. Article 16 of Ley 820 de 2003 prohibits cash deposits and similar cash guarantees in urban residential leases. In practice, landlords secure the lease with a co-signer (codeudor) or a rental guarantee policy (póliza de arrendamiento) instead. If a landlord asks you for a cash deposit on urban housing, that request has no legal basis.
What is the maximum rent increase for 2026?
For urban residential leases under Ley 820 de 2003, the annual increase is capped at 100% of the prior year's consumer price index (IPC). IPC for 2025 closed at 5.10%, so the maximum lawful increase during 2026 is 5.10% — and it can only be applied at each 12-month anniversary of the lease, with notice to the tenant.
Do contracts in Colombia need to be in Spanish?
Between private parties, an English contract can be valid. But Colombian courts, notaries, registries, and public authorities work in Spanish, so the Spanish text is what controls when a contract is enforced or filed. The practical standard for foreigners is bilingual drafting — English so you understand every clause, Spanish as the controlling version for Colombian purposes. That conversion is part of what a professional review adds.