huck1975

Hello My Wife and Me (both in 30s) are hoping to move across from the uk but would like some advice on how to go about finding long term rentals as we plan on staying for a while. Where is the best place to find a cheap rental to start with to make sure it suits us both and what are the living costs involved (rent/tax/fees) We want to do all our homework before we make any moves. The area we have been looking into is Andalucia Roughly 1hr East of Malaga. Thanks for taking the time to read and hope to hear back from some of you and hear some great advice.

Regards.

Rosemary

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

huck1975

Hi Rosemary, thanks for the warm welcome. I may well be in touch if I do not get much response to my post.
Or is there another place for me to post. ? Any help with finding out how to go about renting somewhere will be such a help to us.

Madridboy

I find www.idealista.com to be a good start.

huck1975

Thanks for the link Madridboy, Will give it a look in the morning. Appreciated

Leper

Hi Huck, Welcome, long term rentals on the coast from Barcelona to Gibraltar are available almost on demand and rates are good due to the recession. All you've got to do is arrive on a recce mission and literally ask questions in areas which would suit you. You will have no difficulty in obtaining a suitable place. Your biggest decision will be whether to go through a Rental Agency or rent privately. I recommend you rent privately.

If you or your wife are looking for employment in Spain then do not even think of moving to Spain for anything longer than a week's holiday.

However, late September is the best time to start long term rental search. The going rate for a 2 bedroom apartment/duplex in a centrally located decent resort is €550 per month + electricity costs.

huck1975

Thanks for the welcome Leper, We are looking at next year for the move so that's why we are doing all the "homework" so early as we plan on staying for a while and securing work before the move. Thanks for your comment.

Domino

that could take you into Granada if you want to come inland whilst still being 1hr from Malaga airport by coach (think this is now around €15 each way)

you can get a really decent 2 bed flat for around €400/m or less, dependent on area through a private deal. Watch out for agents fees if going through agency, which can be at least one month's rental, sometimes more, which unlike UK landlords don't pay and at least one month's rent.
Outside the city we have been renting a 3 bed house for same, but that is 35km from the city and has no garden, just small terrace pointing in the wrong direction.

.

huck1975

Thanks Domino for that. We don't mind inland as we feel it would be cheaper. Are the privately rented places advertised or boards up outside as we will probably be driving down when the time comes but will have a short break before to put some bits in place if that makes sense.

Porth

As to renting privately and after our let us say unbelievable experience last year with an agent in Javea how does one find 'private renters' We have looked hard and long and agents figure highly in all of the rentals and as you say are looking at least one months rental + as a finders fee. Also our experience in Spain is to forget the bond it is somewhat difficult to recover.

rdgs

t2uds

Hi, other than idealista. The other sites the Relocation company handling us sent us links from were http://english.habitaclia.com and http://www.enalquiler.com/. When we had a nosey ourselves we found the habitaclia site quite an easy menu, and it has an English version. But I think that only covers Catalunya. But basically we've found interesting property on some sites that werent advertised on any of the others. So its always best to check a few of the sites to root out any goodies. Good luck with your move.

huck1975

Thanks Porth & t2uds for your replies. All very helpful. We will continue with "Homework" Also give those sits a look.

Madridboy

Look out for the properties that look too good to be true at a very low price asking you to send deposit to the UK in return for the keys being posted back to you. Common scam over here.