FAQ
Why do I need to register my interest before speaking to a Sampa Flats agent?
We have great demand for rental properties in Sao Paulo, and as such our agents are very busy servicing our clients and ensuring that they find an apartment that meets their needs. Therefore, so as not to waste anybody’s time, we need you to first register to let us know what are your requirements, in terms of move in date, budget and apartment requirements. We then can assess our supply relevant to your requirements and then get in touch.
It is very important that you are able to react quickly to any potential apartments that you want to rent. They will only be available for a matter of hours. This is why also that we don’t recommend you starting the process of looking for an apartment until a week or so before move in date. It will only be at that time that we will know availability.
Remember to look at our "book now" featured apartments online. They are available as per the calendar date on the information page. You can book them using your credit card over the internet. Search through our apartments now!
How far in advance can I book the apartment?
This depends on the apartment availability and also whether you need to view the apartment or not.
If you need to view the apartment, there is little point looking for anything before one week until move in date. This is because properties are rented so quickly, on average 1-2 days after the previous tenant has moved out. Therefore, if you want to move in on Wednesday, the earliest you will be able to start viewing a rental property in Sao Paulo is around the previous Monday.
However we do also offer "book now" featured apartments online available in advance. They are available as per the calendar date on the information page. You can book them using your credit card over the internet. Search through our apartments now!
Make sure you register now so we can keep you informed of properties available around your move in date. One of our agents will personally contact you back one week before to start the viewing process.
What other choices do I have?
We are here to help you move. Why don’t you join hundreds of other happy clients in booking direct online? Search through our availability now!
For some of our exclusive stays we have control over the apartments. We pride ourselves in providing full HD 360 video and photos and information. We understand that time is precious and therefore provide you with everything you need to be able to make the decision to move in without viewing the property.
Therefore, you can book these apartments far in advance, although 15 days before move in on rare occasions the existing tenant may extend their stay. If so, we can then show you the properties available then as a priority.
Click here to search the apartments available on your chosen dates.
How can I Pay?
We provide multiple payment options. The payment details can be found by clicking here. Please remember that it is your responsibility and your responsibility alone to ensure the monies arrive in the landlords bank account by the agreed date. We are able to help you with this, but you must adhere to our notice as mentioned on the page: your payment responsibility.
Why cant I just pay from my overseas account direct to the landlord or to your Brazilian Bank account?
We do not accept overseas bank payments due to the very high (and changeable) charges put on them by the banks. We also do not accept them because, due to the very slow and random nature of the Brazilian banking system, payments may take many days or even weeks to arrive, and in some cases, the money will just bounce back to your bank account. We are not willing to take the responsibility for this, because obviously this will mean you lose out on your apartment.
Landlords feel the same way. They do not want to be paid direct from overseas due to the problems it causes.
This is why we have worked hard to provide you with a full suite of alternative options. We are here to help. Trust us, the payment gateways we have identified are the best on the market and as such give you the best chance of securing your property. To learn more about the options available to you, go to the payments options page.
What is the administration tax for?
The administration tax, standard via any agency, represents the payment made by you in respect of your move. This includes credit checks, building management administration and so on.
What is included in the rental price?
You can get more information regarding this by clicking here: rental prices.
How much extra do I need to budget for utilities?
Remember in most cases these will be included in the rental price you are quoted, especially water and gas. Where the utilities are not included in the price subject to the size of the property, you will need to budget around 25 Real’s each for water gas and electricity. Cable TV including internet costs around 100 Real’s per month.
Can you help me arrange utilities?
Yes, we are more than happy to help you set up these utilities. We will charge an administration fee for this. Get in touch with one of our agents at Sampa Flats for more information.
I want to move to Sao Paulo but I don’t know which area to move to?
You need to consider what the priorities are for you in terms of living arrangements. Do you want quiet and peaceful? Lively and energetic? How far do you need to travel every day? Traffic is very bad in the centre and as such commuting by car, even short distances can add 1-1.5 hours to your journey. Therefore identify where you need to be getting to every day, e.g. schools, workplace etc and then identify the mode of travel, and how long you can budget for that. Bear in mind the Metro system is very good – cheap efficient and safe, so do consider living close to a Metro station for easy access.
Read our report on the various places to live within Sao Paulo. If you need further information please get in touch with one of our agents who will be happy to discuss further.
I have found an apartment I like and want to place an offer. What do I do now?
Remember, apartments are subject to availability. You need to move quickly. Make your administration tax initial payment to us to start the process. You can find all details on what is required on our checklist. Prepare your first month’s rental and deposit. Consider sending that now to secure the place. All details for payments are here.
Do you have a contract or lease agreement that I can view?
Yes. However, please bear in mind that this is for information only. We provide this to the landlords as an example of the type of contact that we want to see put in place, but each landlord has their own requirements and as such not all contracts will be the same. However, this one will give you a good idea of the general lease requirements here. Get in touch and we will send you the most updated version.
If I make a payment to you does that mean the property is guaranteed to be mine?
No unfortunately it doesn’t. As we have mentioned on the site, the demand for properties is huge in Sao Paulo. Therefore landlords have much choice over who to rent to. Also during the time it may take for you to deposit funds, the landlord may have already accepted somewhere else. This is why we STRONGLY advise you to pay the money early, and via one of our preferred payment gateways.
Where an apartment is not exclusive to Sampa Flats there may be the case where multiple booking companies have access to the property. Therefore there may be in the rare occasion a time where the client has booked the apartment via our book now function but the apartment has already been reserved by another person.
Where this occurs, the client either has the choice of a refund as per our refund policy, or the monies can be held on account in respect of another booking on the site.
In some very rare cases a payments will need to be made to the landlord in respect of the booking before the lease agreement has been signed. This type of landlord requires the monies to be received to constitute your “offer”. Upon receiving the monies, and assuming he is happy with you as a tenant, he will then sign the lease agreement constituting offer and acceptance and agreement of the tenancy. If he doesnt want to take you as a tenant he will refund the money.
Please bear in mind that whilst this process may sound risky, you will be advised if the landlord requires this before sending any money. By the way, we have never had a problem with a landlord not paying back any funds sent to him and then rejected due to him finding another tenant.
If you have any questions or queries here, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
If I send money direct to you, what is the procedure here? What happens if the landlord rejects my offer?
We recommend you do use our payment gateways to send money. The reason for this is that they are guaranteed and quicker than the bank. Where you are sending money in another currency, the exchange rate you will obtain is often better than the banks, and does not incur any administration fees. Once we have received this money, in the vast majority of cases the apartment is yours. You just need to get the money there quickly before he rents to someone else.
Where you have paid money to Sampa Flats, we act as an escrow service, releasing the money to the landlord when he requests it. Asap we receive the money from you we notify the landlord. He will then in most cases accept that money as being received as if it has been received in his bank account, and treat it as if it’s in his account. This saves you time.
In the vast majority of cases the apartment is now yours to rent.
In the very unlikely event that after you have sent the funds, the landlord does not accept the offer, he will return the funds to the client or Sampa Flats as escrow. We will then either return the funds to you or hold them on account in respect of a separate booking. This is up to you.
Can I make a booking for a period shorter than one month?
At the moment, no. We are working on building the technology and partnerships for this, so check back soon.
What time can we arrive at our apartment?
Normally, check in times are around 12noon on the date of the reservation. Check with your agent for confirmation regarding your particular apartment.
When do we get the keys? How do we check in?
Usually you can do that in reception desk but each apartment policy is different. Please check with your Sampa Flats agent for more information. They are there to help!
Why cant I always book online?
We have relationships with many hundreds of landlords and not all have the systems set up to be able to take automated bookings. Therefore so as not to run the risk of double booking, we require some apartments to be booked only via calling our office.
We are working hard to get all landlords online and automated.
Does it cost me more to book over the telephone?
No! Our pricing is standard throughout.
How do I know my details are secure?
Our website is built using the latest security settings. Only senior, relevant employees have access to your records, and only when they are helping you out with your booking. We are using SSL certificates. Once you have made a booking, in accordance with our privacy policy, you most sensitive financial details can be destroyed on request, after a maximum of 10 days.
