A proposed ordinance that would require the registration of rental agreements in Cuenca is moving forward and is expected to be discussed soon by the Cantonal Council.
The initiative, promoted by councilwoman Jenny Bermeo, would create a municipal registry of leases to track which properties are rented, who is occupying them, and for how long. The goal is to close existing information gaps in a system where many rentals are currently arranged without formal contracts or identity verification.
Under the proposal, the registry could be used by institutions such as the National Police to support investigations, particularly in cases where it is necessary to trace who has occupied a property.
Concerns driving the proposal include reports of rental properties being used for irregular activities. In some areas, including Totoracocha, Ciudadela Álvarez, and other residential zones, authorities have identified houses linked to activities such as clandestine brothels during control operations.
The proposal also highlights concerns about rental practices that lack oversight, including cases where tenants pay large sums in advance without scrutiny of the source of funds.
The ordinance seeks to strengthen monitoring while aligning with existing national tenancy rules that allow local governments to maintain rental registries. It also calls for renewed enforcement of land use regulations, including sanctions for properties used in ways not permitted in residential areas.
If approved, registering a lease would carry a fee of $6, as established in the municipal fee schedule. The proposal does not include any regulation of rental prices.
The upcoming debate will determine whether the measure moves forward as part of the city’s broader approach to security and urban oversight.