Guides & insights / Investment Guides
Renting your home out
October 26, 2026
Many owners on the coast use their home for part of the year and rent it at other times. Done properly, this is simple and legal. This guide covers the rules and practicalities. It does not forecast income or returns: every building, season and management arrangement is different, and we only share figures provided by operators, clearly attributed, on request.
Updated 2026-10-26 · 3 min read · 479 words · Private draft awaiting owner review.
Rental flexibility, done properly
Many owners on the coast use their home for part of the year and rent it at other times. Done properly, this is simple and legal. This guide covers the rules and practicalities. It does not forecast income or returns: every building, season and management arrangement is different, and we only share figures provided by operators, clearly attributed, on request.
Registration in Quintana Roo
The state of Quintana Roo requires every short-term rental to be listed in the state tourism registry, known as RETUR-Q, which is renewed each year. Registration is free. Booking platforms are expected to list only registered properties, and fines for operating without registration can be significant. Owners also need a Mexican tax registration (RFC) to declare rental income.
Rules for vacation rentals are being updated at both state and municipal level, including in Cancún. Before you buy with rental in mind, we check the current position for your building and municipality, and whether the condominium's own rules allow short-term rentals.
Taxes on rentals
Short-term stays are subject to a 6 percent state lodging tax (ISH) and to value-added tax. When guests book through the major platforms, these are generally collected and paid by the platform. Some municipalities add a small per-night sanitation levy. Rental income is also subject to income tax in Mexico, and, for Canadian and U.S. owners, may need to be reported at home. A local accountant can set this up correctly from the start.
Management options
Owners typically choose one of three approaches. Some manage bookings themselves and use a local team for cleaning, check-ins and maintenance. Others hand everything to a professional management company in return for a percentage of bookings. In some buildings, such as those with hotel operation, the operator manages rentals as part of the building's model; Solar Midtown, for example, has hotel operation confirmed by The Reef Resorts & Spa.
Whichever you choose, ask for a written agreement covering fees, owner-use periods, maintenance and reporting.
What to look for in a building
Buildings that suit rental flexibility tend to share some features: a central, walkable location, good shared amenities, professional on-site management, and condominium rules that allow short stays. Lock-off layouts, where a residence divides into two independent spaces with separate entrances, let owners use one part and close off the other, as in some residences at Serenada, Marila and CEIBA 25.
For IPANA, the operator reports occupancy close to 90 percent in one of Playa del Carmen's most rented buildings. This is the operator's figure, not a forecast for an individual residence; ask us for the detailed figures.
Long-term rentals
We will be adding a selection of long-term rentals over time, for people who would like to live on the coast for a season before deciding where to buy. If you would like to hear when they open, tell us on WhatsApp.
Updated 27 October 2026. Figures are Estimated and should be confirmed with a notary, bank or tax advisor.
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Questions & answers
Renting your home out
Many owners on the coast use their home for part of the year and rent it at other times. Done properly, this is simple and legal. This guide covers the rules and practicalities. It does not forecast income or returns: every building, season and management arrangement is different, and we only share figures provided by operators, clearly attributed, on request.