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Choosing where to live is one of the most important decisions of your exchange. It affects not only your budget, but also your safety, your commute to university, and your daily experience in Santiago. In this guide, we explain step by step how the booking process works for properties managed by Portal Exchange. Read it carefully and write to us if you have any further questions. Your home away from home is waiting for you! 🏠
If you are considering other accommodation options, keep in mind that conditions (commissions, deposits, included services) may vary. Always review the details of the listing and the contract carefully.
📄 What documents do I need to book?
📋 How does the booking process work?
💰 Why do you charge a commission?
🔒 Why do I have to pay a deposit?
💡 Which services are included in the rent?
🛏️ What does my room include?
💳 What are the payment methods?
📅 What are the stay periods?
To book a room in a house managed by Portal Exchange, we will ask for your valid passport and the acceptance letter from your Chilean university. These two papers are your business card as an exchange student.
📘 Valid passport – The main document proving your identity and nationality. Make sure it is valid for at least 6 months to 1 year (depending on your stay) from the date you plan to arrive in Chile.
📨 Acceptance letter from the Chilean university – This document is essential because it proves you are coming to study officially for a defined period (one semester or two). Keep both a printed and a digital copy.
The booking process for the accommodations we manage is designed to be clear, fast and safe. Follow these steps and soon you will have your room secured for your exchange in Santiago.
Step by step to book your accommodation
1️⃣ Choose an accommodation
Browse our available options, compare locations, prices and services. You will find alternatives tailored to exchange students.
2️⃣ Choose your room
Once you have selected the accommodation, you can choose the specific room you like best (single, with terrace, with a view, etc.).
3️⃣ Send your passport and acceptance letter
You send us a copy of your valid passport and your acceptance letter from the Chilean university. These documents are necessary to formalise your application and verify your student status.
4️⃣ Receive and sign the documents
We will send you three key documents:
📄 Rental contract
📜 House rules
✍️ Legal guardian appendix
You must sign the contract and fill out the legal guardian appendix (you will need the details of a family member or responsible adult in your home country). Then you return both documents signed by you and your guardian.
5️⃣ Make the payments and confirm your booking
For the room to be definitively booked, you must pay:
Deposit – Equivalent to one month's rent. This amount will be returned to you at the end of your stay, provided there is no damage to the room.
Booking commission - One-time payment (non-refundable). This cost covers the complete management of your booking, the preparation of contracts, personalized support, and the maintenance of our platform.
Once you have completed these 5 steps, your room will be booked and ready for your arrival! 🎉
Important advice: We recommend you do this process in advance, ideally a few weeks before your trip, because the best accommodations fill up quickly. If you have questions at any step, write to us and we will help you.
We understand that seeing a commission fee may make you wonder why it is necessary. For us, this commission is not a simple expense; it is the investment you make in peace of mind, safety and time. It covers all the behind‑the‑scenes work so that you only have to worry about enjoying your exchange.
This is exactly what our commission (one-time payment) includes:
🛠️ Complete booking management – We coordinate with property owners, verify availability and make sure your room is ready when you arrive.
🖥️ Platform maintenance: We constantly maintain and update our website to make your experience easy and secure.
🤝 Personalised customer service – We answer your questions before, during and after the booking. We accompany you at every step.
📑 Contract and document management – We prepare the rental contract, the house rules and the legal guardian appendix, and make sure everything is in order.
🌍 Tailored for international students – We offer a service specifically designed for students arriving from another country.
📊 How does our commission compare to other options?
So that you have a clear reference of why our commission is an excellent choice, we have prepared this comparison:
Other agencies – Other market platforms that offer rooms often charge higher commissions, around 25%, which is more than ours.
Traditional property broker – If you hire a conventional property broker in Chile to find a rental, the standard commission is around 50%. That is much higher! Not to mention that it often involves unfurnished accommodations, which will incur more expenses. Do a quick calculation: how much does it cost to buy furniture? Divide that amount by the number of months you will be there. How much does it add to your monthly cost? Finally, they may have separate charges such as building fees, internet or basic utilities not included in your monthly rent. Consider carefully whether you want to take the traditional route.
The deposit (equivalent to one month's rent) is standard practice in Chile and in many countries around the world. It is not an extra cost nor money you lose; it is a security deposit that is paid at the beginning and returned to you at the end of your stay, provided the room is in good condition and according to the contract you sign.
🔒 What is the deposit for?
The deposit exists for security reasons and to protect the properties. It works like this:
Covers possible accidental damage – If during your stay something in the property breaks or is damaged (a window, a piece of furniture, an appliance, a wall, etc.), the cost of repair or replacement is deducted from the deposit. That way the landlord does not lose money and you do not have to make a large, unexpected payment.
Also protects your interests – The deposit prevents the landlord from charging you for damage you did not cause. Because the money is held (not paid as a loss), you have peace of mind that only what is fair and provable will be deducted.
Covers outstanding expenses – If at the end of your contract you still owe any expenses (late payments, cleaning supplies, guest nights), these can also be deducted from the deposit.
Covers fixed cleaning costs – We charge a cleaning and sanitisation fee because at the end of your stay, a professional deep clean of all rooms and common areas is performed to ensure a healthy and clean environment for the next residents.
Key tip to protect your deposit
📸 Upon arrival, take photos and a video of the room (walls, floor, furniture, appliances, windows). This gives you evidence of the initial condition.
📝 Check the inventory of your room that we give you at check‑in.
🗣️ Important – Report any pre‑existing damage immediately upon arrival (in writing or by WhatsApp) so that it is not deducted later.
At Portal Exchange, we want you to arrive in Santiago without worrying about extra bills or surprise expenses. That is why, in all our managed properties, the monthly rent already includes the following services:
🛏️ Fully equipped room – The room comes with everything you need to settle in: bed, bedding, pillows, wardrobe, desk, chair and lamp. Just bring your personal belongings.
📶 WiFi – Internet connection, ideal for online classes, studying, video calls with your family and entertainment.
🔥 Gas – Covers gas consumption for cooking and hot water.
💧 Water – You will not have to pay a water bill. It is included in the rent.
⚡ Electricity – The electricity consumption of your room and common areas (lights, outlets, shared appliances) is included.
🧺 Equipped common areas – You can use at no extra cost:
Fully equipped kitchen (refrigerator, stove, microwave, basic utensils).
Living room with dining area.
Shared bathrooms.
Laundry room.
Patio, terrace or balcony (depending on the property).
Important: The rent does not include expenses such as:
Cleaning or personal hygiene products (soap, toilet paper, detergent, etc.).
Food (you must buy your own supplies).
Parking (if you have a car, ask about availability and additional cost).
In the properties managed by Portal Exchange, we make sure you arrive to a fully equipped room so that you can study, rest and organise yourself from day one. Here is what you will find in your room:
🪑 Desk – Your own space to study and use your computer.
💺 Chair – Comfortable and functional.
🚪 Wardrobe or closet – For your clothes and belongings.
🪞 Mirror – So you can get ready comfortably.
🗑️ Wastebasket – Small desk bin.
💡 Lamp – Extra light for studying at night.
🌙 Nightstand – Small table next to the bed.
🛌 Bed – Standard size (single, double or queen depending on the property).
🛏️ Complete bedding – Includes sheets, blankets and a pillow. You arrive with the bed made and ready to use.
Important: Other accommodations (not managed by us) may offer similar furniture, but it is always better to check the specific description of the house and the room you are choosing. Each property may have variations. We recommend you read the details carefully and look at the photos of your room before booking.
So that you can make the booking payment (deposit + commission) and then your monthly rents securely, quickly and at the lowest possible cost, we recommend using one of the following options. All have been tested by other students and work very well for international transfers to Chile.
Recommended methods
🌍 Wise – The most popular option among exchange students. Offers exchange rates very close to the real market rate and low, transparent fees. You can pay in your local currency (euros, dollars, reais, etc.) and they convert to Chilean pesos (CLP). The transfer arrives in 1–3 business days.
💳 Global66 – Similar to Wise, but with a focus on Latin America. Excellent exchange rate and competitive fees. Very good option if you come from other countries in the region. Also allows direct payment in CLP.
🇪🇺 Revolut – Ideal for students coming from Europe. Has very good exchange rates and allows sending money to Chile at reasonable costs.
📮 Western Union – A more traditional and reliable option. You can send money from an office in your country or via online transfer. The receiver (us) receives it in Chilean pesos almost instantly. The downside is that the exchange rate is usually less favourable and fees are higher than with Wise or Global66.
🏦 International bank transfer (SWIFT) – The traditional method, but we do not recommend it because banks usually charge high fees (both the sending bank, intermediary banks and the receiving bank) and the exchange rate is poor. Use it only if you do not have access to the above options.
Important payment tips
Always keep the payment receipt (screenshot, PDF, confirmation email). It will serve as proof.
When making the transfer, include your full name and your booking number (if you have one) in the details or reference. This helps us identify your payment quickly.
Payments from abroad can take 1 to 5 business days depending on the method. Make your payments in advance to avoid delays.
Never pay in cash without a formal receipt nor deposit into personal accounts without a prior contract. We will always provide you with an official receipt via email.
In the properties managed by Portal Exchange, we work with semester‑based contracts, aligned with the academic calendars of Chilean universities. This allows you to arrive, study and leave without worrying about strange deadlines.
📅 Standard periods (semester contract)
First semester – March to July (coincides with autumn and winter in Chile).
Second semester – August to December (coincides with spring and part of summer).
Flexibility to adapt to your exchange
We know that each student has different dates depending on their home university. Therefore, we also offer flexible options, for example:
Arrive earlier – You can sign a contract from February to July (arrive one month early to settle in or take a Spanish course).
Stay longer – You can sign a contract from August to January (stay until after the year‑end holidays).
Full academic year – If your exchange lasts a full academic year, you can sign a contract from March to December or from August to July (two consecutive semesters) with just one deposit and one commission.
We always talk with you to adjust the dates as much as possible to your flight and your university calendar.
Important – Other accommodations
For properties not managed by Portal Exchange, stay periods can vary considerably:
Some require a minimum stay of 6 months (similar to us).
Others allow month‑by‑month (more flexible, but may be more expensive).
Our recommendation: If you are coming for a full semester (like most exchange students), our semester contract is the best option – in price, stability and included services. If your stay is shorter (e.g., 2 or 3 months), write to us – we will see if we can accommodate you or recommend alternatives.
