How to Ask About a Security Deposit in Spanish (Rental Deposits)
Learn to ask 'How much is the deposit?' in Latin American Spanish, name the deposit correctly, and ask when and how it is refunded.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you rent an apartment in a Spanish-speaking country, the deposit is one of the first things you need to discuss. In this lesson you will learn the standard word for a rental deposit, how to ask its amount, and how to ask about refund conditions before you sign anything. All phrases use broadly useful Latin American Spanish, with regional notes where usage differs.
By the end, you can…
- ask how much the rental deposit is in Spanish.
- ask when and how the deposit will be refunded.
- understand and answer simple questions about a deposit.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Cuánto es el depósito?
How much is the deposit?
KWAHN-toh es el deh-POH-see-toh
The most direct, widely understood way to ask the amount. Use it at the start of a rental conversation.
¿De cuánto es el depósito?
How much is the deposit for?
deh KWAHN-toh es el deh-POH-see-toh
Very common in Mexico and Central America; asks the same thing with a slightly more conversational tone.
¿Cuánto piden de depósito?
How much do they ask for as a deposit?
KWAHN-toh PEE-den deh deh-POH-see-toh
Useful when a rental agency, not the owner, handles the contract.
¿El depósito es reembolsable?
Is the deposit refundable?
el deh-POH-see-toh es reh-em-bol-SAH-bleh
Ask this before paying. In some countries the word garantía is used instead of depósito.
¿Cuándo me devuelven el depósito?
When will they return the deposit to me?
KWAHN-doh meh deh-VWEL-ven el deh-POH-see-toh
Use devolver for getting money back; regresar is also heard but devolver is clearer for refunds.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask the price or amount of almost anything, use ¿Cuánto es...? plus the item: ¿Cuánto es el depósito? (How much is the deposit?), ¿Cuánto es la renta? (How much is the rent?). If you want to sound more conversational, use ¿De cuánto es...?: ¿De cuánto es el depósito? Both are correct; the second is very common in Mexico and Central America. For refunds, the key verb is devolver (to return something to someone): ¿Cuándo me devuelven el depósito? Notice me comes before the verb.
When to use it
Ask ¿Cuánto es el depósito? before you agree to rent, and ask ¿El depósito es reembolsable? or ¿En qué casos no me devuelven el depósito? (In what cases won't they return my deposit?) before you pay. If the answer includes conditions, ask for them in writing: ¿Me lo puede poner por escrito? (Can you put it in writing for me?). In some countries the contract word is garantía, so listen for both depósito and garantía.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenas tardes, vi el anuncio del departamento. ¿De cuánto es el depósito?
Good afternoon, I saw the apartment listing. How much is the deposit?BWEH-nas TAR-dehs, vee el ah-noon-SEE-oh del deh-par-ta-MEN-toh. deh KWAHN-toh es el deh-POH-see-tohEl depósito es de un mes de renta, o sea, ocho mil pesos.
The deposit is one month's rent, that is, eight thousand pesos.el deh-POH-see-toh es deh oon mehs deh REN-tah, oh SEH-ah, OH-choh MEEL PEH-sohsEntiendo. ¿El depósito es reembolsable? ¿Cuándo me lo devuelven?
I understand. Is the deposit refundable? When do you return it to me?en-TYEN-doh. el deh-POH-see-toh es reh-em-bol-SAH-bleh. KWAHN-doh meh loh deh-VWEL-venSí, es reembolsable. Lo devolvemos quince días después de que entregas las llaves, si no hay daños.
Yes, it's refundable. We return it fifteen days after you hand in the keys, if there is no damage.see, es reh-em-bol-SAH-bleh. loh deh-bol-VEH-mohs KEEN-seh DEE-ahs des-PWEHS deh keh en-TREH-gahs lahs YAH-vehs, see noh ay DAH-nyohsA little context goes a long way
In much of Latin America the rental deposit is commonly one month's rent, but this varies by city and landlord. The word garantía is used for deposits in some countries, especially in the Southern Cone, while depósito is standard in Mexico and much of Central America. Always ask whether the deposit is reembolsable and get the refund conditions in writing.
One thing to watch for
Using devolver and regresar as if they were identical, or saying ¿Cuánto es el depósito? when you mean the monthly rent.
Try this instead: Use devolver for money returned to you: ¿Cuándo me devuelven el depósito? Use regresar mainly for returning objects or when someone comes back. For the monthly rent, ask ¿Cuánto es la renta? or ¿Cuánto es el alquiler? (alquiler is more common in some regions).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Ask the landlord how much the deposit is, using the most standard phrase.
Show a sample answer
¿Cuánto es el depósito?
This is the clearest, most widely understood form. ¿De cuánto es el depósito? is also correct and common in Mexico and Central America.
2Ask whether the deposit is refundable.
Show a sample answer
¿El depósito es reembolsable?
This directly asks about refundability. You could also ask ¿Me devuelven el depósito? (Will they return the deposit to me?), which is equally valid.
3Ask when they will return the deposit to you.
Show a sample answer
¿Cuándo me devuelven el depósito?
This uses devolver with the indirect object me. ¿Cuándo me regresan el depósito? is heard in some regions, but devolver is the safer choice for refunds.
Ask ¿Cuánto es el depósito? to learn the amount, and ¿El depósito es reembolsable? plus ¿Cuándo me lo devuelven? to learn the refund conditions before you pay.
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