We need a bit of help on the process of renting, if anyone could oblige.

We have agreed to rent a house for 6 to 12 months starting 1st June in Ortigueira Galicia. The landlady is sending us a contract, and I have sent her a photocopy of my passport. She says she also needs a bank guarantee, does she mean a formal one or what?

We intend to pop out in 3 weeks to check the house out.

More particularly, I understood that in order to rent long term we need NIE numbers and a bank account. NIE numbers we believe take a month or two. We can get them in the UK through the consulate I am told, which will take at least a month. Or are we better to apply in Ortigueira?
But we also think we cannot open a bank account without an NIE. Sort of chicken and egg. Obviously there is a systematic way to do it. If anyone could advise we would be obliged?
Many thanks

We are renting and only needed to provide a copy of our passports and NIE number. Explain that you are in the process of applying for your NIE. You DO need to have an NIE.

I know applying for NIE's in spain only take 14 days

Sorry to nitpick, but if for example we applied for NIE when we come over in 3 weeks, does anyone know if we could we pick them up in June when we arrived permanently and finalise the bank account at the same time?

Lionda many thanks,

Did you need to get NIE before or after starting to rent?

usually you can open a bank account with just a passport......you can also agree/sign contract with just your poassport details (as far as I know)

My advice would be to open an account with a local (to where you'll be renting) bank when you come over, next. On the same trip get yourself set up with a gestor, from a recommendation. Briefly, this is a professional (a little bit down from a solicitor) who knows the in's and out's of the spanish bureaucracy. You'll go up before the local Notary with this person and give them written approval to act for you - with power of attorney (so they can sign things on your behalf).
Once the gestor has PoA, they can apply for an NIE for you. They will also be able to arrange any transfer of services (such as electricity account, phone, residency papers etc) when you do finally come over, long term.
You do have to pay for this service, but provided you get a good gestor - hence the need for local recommendations (don't take the recommendation of anyone you are dealing with: they'll have a vested interest and may not act in your best interest). The fees are reasonable, but ask in advance what they'll charge you - it's much less than what british solicitors charge. It'll also ease the hassle of trying to get things sorted out yourself, plus you'll be much more likely to have things done "properly".

You can open a bank account from the UK, we did it though Lloyds, they phoned up Banco Popular in London and they sorted an account near where we rented.
You may go overdrawn straight away as they charge for being a non resident, we wrongly assumed the account would open when we moved over and put some money in it. lol
You can now get a residencia and NIE at the same time, an appointment system is used now so cuts out the hassle of lining up, wait till you move over then do it.

Bank guarantee: I notice that nobody has offered opinions on the subject.

I wouldn't provide one, if asked. There are thousands of desperate landlords willing to rent their properties without requiring a bank guarantee. So why weaken your position by providing one?!

Also, don't forget to request a copy of your landlord's DNI (front and back), or passport or Certificate of Residence (depending on circumstance). It would be foolish to engage in any contract without the ability to identify the other party. Walk away if they refuse. You never know when you might need to denounce your landlord or take them to court. Having their details makes it easier.

In other words, ask for the same documents that your landlord requests from you!!

It works for us, and we rarely encounter problems.

Good advice.

we have rented for various lengths, 6 months and 11. In both cases have only been asked for passport numbers. These have been contracts accepted by the town hall for going on the padron. Just make sure that the contract is in Spanish as well as english, english only will not be acceptable. We have NEVER had to provide a bank guarantee so far.

Is correct, do it while your here..

Best, K

We already had our NIE, had them since 2004. We were not asked for a bank guarantee.

I know people that have waited a month for their appointment, but now you get a residencia certificate and an NIE on the day instead of waiting a month for it to turn up. lol

Many thanks, all. Very helpful.

The landlord is Spanish and lives in the Canaries most of the time. Has been helpful so far. Is going to send contract now, so when I receive it I will ask for DNI or other documents as suggested.

I am happy to pay 6 months upfront, so will not provide a bank guarantee.
(I agree with the "do not provide one" comments. Most people do not realise that bank guarantees can be absolute and not time limited).

mikelincs - would you mind explaining your comment "on the padron", as this is new to us?