Given the aim of decreasing Colombia’s housing shortage, the possibility of renting is important as a tool that, in addition to contributing directly to the reduction of housing shortage, can be a profitable investment option. Additionally, in a context of fiscal constraints at national level, poor conditions of existing homes, difficult access to mortgages and inefficiency in public administration at municipality level, among other aspects, renting is an alternative short term solution for the poorest. The present research was carried out in order to respond to the need for a characterization of the urban rental market, focusing on the poorest segment. It seeks to identify the possibilities of fitting these markets in a legal framework that enables their interaction with financial instruments, so that the supply of rental housing for the lower strata of the population can be stimulated.