How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
Mar 6th 2012, 9:47 am
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 212
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
I'm a little bit surprised at some of the uninformed comments, but anyway....
The only way to get a rental in Spain, is good oldfashioned legwork (same applies to buying).
Unfortunately, websites like idealista, fotocasa and the rest are only useful for indications, as many of the properties are listed continuously irrespective of availability (I have 9 years knowledge of this!!).
As a tenant, the agents don't feel a need to respond nor help as you are considered trash from the start. Again, I was an experienced tenant until recently so know the ropes. Agents don't respnd to emails and don't return calls, irrespective of nationality or language issues.
So, get walking.........once in the agent's office you'll get a better service. Most importantly.............THEY DO SPEAK ENGLISH. When I came to Spain, I did not even know the word "Hola" and I got a rental without any help from anyone else. It was very hard work, but persistence pays off. When "forced" to speak English, the Spanish will speak it. they may laugh at you, etc. but who cares, your not there to be friends! You'll know the ones that want to help.
It helps to write down what you want. It's very easy, as your rental requirements can be expressed in words, not sentences; e.g. house, 3 bedrooms, 2 people, 400 euros, furnished, 12 months, etc.
Generally, no references are required. No employment checks will be done, so lie all you want (it's allowed and not illegal). Do not engage in bank guarantees (aval bancaria) under any circumstances.
Happy Walking.
EDIT: P.S. Only rent from Spanish, never rent from foreigners, e.g. British, Irish, German. they don't know the law and overcharge.
The only way to get a rental in Spain, is good oldfashioned legwork (same applies to buying).
Unfortunately, websites like idealista, fotocasa and the rest are only useful for indications, as many of the properties are listed continuously irrespective of availability (I have 9 years knowledge of this!!).
As a tenant, the agents don't feel a need to respond nor help as you are considered trash from the start. Again, I was an experienced tenant until recently so know the ropes. Agents don't respnd to emails and don't return calls, irrespective of nationality or language issues.
So, get walking.........once in the agent's office you'll get a better service. Most importantly.............THEY DO SPEAK ENGLISH. When I came to Spain, I did not even know the word "Hola" and I got a rental without any help from anyone else. It was very hard work, but persistence pays off. When "forced" to speak English, the Spanish will speak it. they may laugh at you, etc. but who cares, your not there to be friends! You'll know the ones that want to help.
It helps to write down what you want. It's very easy, as your rental requirements can be expressed in words, not sentences; e.g. house, 3 bedrooms, 2 people, 400 euros, furnished, 12 months, etc.
Generally, no references are required. No employment checks will be done, so lie all you want (it's allowed and not illegal). Do not engage in bank guarantees (aval bancaria) under any circumstances.
Happy Walking.
EDIT: P.S. Only rent from Spanish, never rent from foreigners, e.g. British, Irish, German. they don't know the law and overcharge.
Last edited by avocados; Mar 6th 2012 at 9:49 am. Reason: last sentence.
Mar 6th 2012, 10:02 am
#17
Retired and loving it!
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
Posts: 5,112
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
I'm a little bit surprised at some of the uninformed comments, but anyway....
The only way to get a rental in Spain, is good oldfashioned legwork (same applies to buying).
Unfortunately, websites like idealista, fotocasa and the rest are only useful for indications, as many of the properties are listed continuously irrespective of availability (I have 9 years knowledge of this!!).
As a tenant, the agents don't feel a need to respond nor help as you are considered trash from the start. Again, I was an experienced tenant until recently so know the ropes. Agents don't respnd to emails and don't return calls, irrespective of nationality or language issues.
So, get walking.........once in the agent's office you'll get a better service. Most importantly.............THEY DO SPEAK ENGLISH. When I came to Spain, I did not even know the word "Hola" and I got a rental without any help from anyone else. It was very hard work, but persistence pays off. When "forced" to speak English, the Spanish will speak it. they may laugh at you, etc. but who cares, your not there to be friends! You'll know the ones that want to help.
It helps to write down what you want. It's very easy, as your rental requirements can be expressed in words, not sentences; e.g. house, 3 bedrooms, 2 people, 400 euros, furnished, 12 months, etc.
Generally, no references are required. No employment checks will be done, so lie all you want (it's allowed and not illegal). Do not engage in bank guarantees (aval bancaria) under any circumstances.
Happy Walking.
EDIT: P.S. Only rent from Spanish, never rent from foreigners, e.g. British, Irish, German. they don't know the law and overcharge.
The only way to get a rental in Spain, is good oldfashioned legwork (same applies to buying).
Unfortunately, websites like idealista, fotocasa and the rest are only useful for indications, as many of the properties are listed continuously irrespective of availability (I have 9 years knowledge of this!!).
As a tenant, the agents don't feel a need to respond nor help as you are considered trash from the start. Again, I was an experienced tenant until recently so know the ropes. Agents don't respnd to emails and don't return calls, irrespective of nationality or language issues.
So, get walking.........once in the agent's office you'll get a better service. Most importantly.............THEY DO SPEAK ENGLISH. When I came to Spain, I did not even know the word "Hola" and I got a rental without any help from anyone else. It was very hard work, but persistence pays off. When "forced" to speak English, the Spanish will speak it. they may laugh at you, etc. but who cares, your not there to be friends! You'll know the ones that want to help.
It helps to write down what you want. It's very easy, as your rental requirements can be expressed in words, not sentences; e.g. house, 3 bedrooms, 2 people, 400 euros, furnished, 12 months, etc.
Generally, no references are required. No employment checks will be done, so lie all you want (it's allowed and not illegal). Do not engage in bank guarantees (aval bancaria) under any circumstances.
Happy Walking.
EDIT: P.S. Only rent from Spanish, never rent from foreigners, e.g. British, Irish, German. they don't know the law and overcharge.
What an absolute load of TOSH!! There are so many generalisations that these comments are not worth considering!
- The agents I use certainly don't consider tenants 'trash' or I would soon not use them.
- Not ALL agents speak English - depends where they are. Many agents in inland Spain only speak Spanish or the local language (here Valencian).
- Not ALL foreigners overcharge. I don't and I certainly understand the law perfectly well!
- Not ALL agents have offices.
Whilst I am not an agent, as a landlord I use agents all the time as well as dealing with many tenants directly.
I do agree, though, that it is a good idea to walk around a particular area and see what rental signs there are and call the advertised numbers. However, there are a number of properties which do NOT have signs - all of mine for example. I don't want to draw attention to the fact that they might be empty so websites are a good start as are agents who do have offices.
Mar 6th 2012, 10:17 am
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 106
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
I'm a little bit surprised at some of the uninformed comments, but anyway....
The only way to get a rental in Spain, is good oldfashioned legwork (same applies to buying).
Unfortunately, websites like idealista, fotocasa and the rest are only useful for indications, as many of the properties are listed continuously irrespective of availability (I have 9 years knowledge of this!!).
As a tenant, the agents don't feel a need to respond nor help as you are considered trash from the start. Again, I was an experienced tenant until recently so know the ropes. Agents don't respnd to emails and don't return calls, irrespective of nationality or language issues.
So, get walking.........once in the agent's office you'll get a better service. Most importantly.............THEY DO SPEAK ENGLISH. When I came to Spain, I did not even know the word "Hola" and I got a rental without any help from anyone else. It was very hard work, but persistence pays off. When "forced" to speak English, the Spanish will speak it. they may laugh at you, etc. but who cares, your not there to be friends! You'll know the ones that want to help.
It helps to write down what you want. It's very easy, as your rental requirements can be expressed in words, not sentences; e.g. house, 3 bedrooms, 2 people, 400 euros, furnished, 12 months, etc.
Generally, no references are required. No employment checks will be done, so lie all you want (it's allowed and not illegal). Do not engage in bank guarantees (aval bancaria) under any circumstances.
Happy Walking.
EDIT: P.S. Only rent from Spanish, never rent from foreigners, e.g. British, Irish, German. they don't know the law and overcharge.
The only way to get a rental in Spain, is good oldfashioned legwork (same applies to buying).
Unfortunately, websites like idealista, fotocasa and the rest are only useful for indications, as many of the properties are listed continuously irrespective of availability (I have 9 years knowledge of this!!).
As a tenant, the agents don't feel a need to respond nor help as you are considered trash from the start. Again, I was an experienced tenant until recently so know the ropes. Agents don't respnd to emails and don't return calls, irrespective of nationality or language issues.
So, get walking.........once in the agent's office you'll get a better service. Most importantly.............THEY DO SPEAK ENGLISH. When I came to Spain, I did not even know the word "Hola" and I got a rental without any help from anyone else. It was very hard work, but persistence pays off. When "forced" to speak English, the Spanish will speak it. they may laugh at you, etc. but who cares, your not there to be friends! You'll know the ones that want to help.
It helps to write down what you want. It's very easy, as your rental requirements can be expressed in words, not sentences; e.g. house, 3 bedrooms, 2 people, 400 euros, furnished, 12 months, etc.
Generally, no references are required. No employment checks will be done, so lie all you want (it's allowed and not illegal). Do not engage in bank guarantees (aval bancaria) under any circumstances.
Happy Walking.
EDIT: P.S. Only rent from Spanish, never rent from foreigners, e.g. British, Irish, German. they don't know the law and overcharge.
AVOID renting from Spanish, the worst landlords on the planet! Badly furnished, won't fix anything that goes wrong and then blame you for the problem when you leave and won't refund your deposit.
Mar 6th 2012, 10:37 am
#19
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Living in a good place
Posts: 8,824
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
Mar 6th 2012, 11:15 am
#20
¿Dónde estoy?
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: my paradise - Jávea
Posts: 13,330
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
That seems to be the case. Grotty furniture too. British owned are likely to be cheaper as some are desperate to rent. A friend was looking for a property to rent in a particular block in marbella, mainly brit owned. She asked me to call a Madrid no. as the person didn't speak English. The woman wanted 900pm. I pointed out everyone else was asking between 650/750, she wouldn't budge
however, as far as realistic rents are concerned I've generally found the opposite from local Spanish landlords - & on the whole they've been better as far as maintenance & so on are concerned.............but not about returning the deposit, although they seem to expect you to use it for the last month rent
Mar 6th 2012, 12:01 pm
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
So in short, you can get good and bad Spanish landlords, and good and bad Brit landlords!
You might have a preference, but it's impossible to say all Spanish are bad, or vice versa.
You might have a preference, but it's impossible to say all Spanish are bad, or vice versa.
Mar 6th 2012, 12:10 pm
#22
¿Dónde estoy?
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: my paradise - Jávea
Posts: 13,330
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
on the whole I prefer Spanish landlords - but I think a common problem is absentee landlords
don't get me started on agents
Mar 8th 2012, 11:09 am
#23
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
OK, dear Sue, I'm sorry. 
I had not read the rules.
But I think my post might have been helpful to British who were interested in looking for a home in Andalucia (Spain).
Because I have no place in this forum, I would be eternally grateful if you resign my user, or tell me how I can I unsubscribe to this website
many thanks
I had not read the rules.
But I think my post might have been helpful to British who were interested in looking for a home in Andalucia (Spain).
Because I have no place in this forum, I would be eternally grateful if you resign my user, or tell me how I can I unsubscribe to this website
many thanks
Mar 10th 2012, 5:41 pm
#24
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
The BH came up with a rough specn
3-4 bedroom
2 baths if possible
good parking for 2 cars
storage space
must have fitted kitchen
3pce suite if possible
reasonable travel distance for work in Granada city as she works for a major employer there under Spanish employment contract.
she contacted over 30 people, using a Spanish colleague where necessary, one (Spanish) refused to let to non-Spanish
more than one wanted extra for non-Spanish
a number said the property had been let for months and the website were at fault for not removing
over 30 contact requests were sent via website and/or email the bulk of which didnt respond, even though the content was in Spanish.
all in all she got to see 15 properties, 2 were falling down (but we can fix that) one was down a street where 2 people couldnt walk side by side letalone get a small car down.
one was 2 miles up a dusty track and a further 3 miles from the nearest village, most definitely not the one specified in the advert
Quite honestly it makes property rental companies in the UK look like philanthropic angels starving for the business.
IS THIS WHY SPAIN IS IN THE FINANCIAL SITUATION IT IS IN ? ?
and yes we did get a house in a village which met the specn, and commutable with a reasonable bus service every hour, direct from a Spaniard who responds to any/all problems with the house.
3-4 bedroom
2 baths if possible
good parking for 2 cars
storage space
must have fitted kitchen
3pce suite if possible
reasonable travel distance for work in Granada city as she works for a major employer there under Spanish employment contract.
she contacted over 30 people, using a Spanish colleague where necessary, one (Spanish) refused to let to non-Spanish
more than one wanted extra for non-Spanish
a number said the property had been let for months and the website were at fault for not removing
over 30 contact requests were sent via website and/or email the bulk of which didnt respond, even though the content was in Spanish.
all in all she got to see 15 properties, 2 were falling down (but we can fix that) one was down a street where 2 people couldnt walk side by side letalone get a small car down.
one was 2 miles up a dusty track and a further 3 miles from the nearest village, most definitely not the one specified in the advert
Quite honestly it makes property rental companies in the UK look like philanthropic angels starving for the business.
IS THIS WHY SPAIN IS IN THE FINANCIAL SITUATION IT IS IN ? ?
and yes we did get a house in a village which met the specn, and commutable with a reasonable bus service every hour, direct from a Spaniard who responds to any/all problems with the house.
Mar 10th 2012, 9:11 pm
#26
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
OK, dear Sue, I'm sorry.
I had not read the rules.
But I think my post might have been helpful to British who were interested in looking for a home in Andalucia (Spain).
Because I have no place in this forum, I would be eternally grateful if you resign my user, or tell me how I can I unsubscribe to this website
many thanks
I had not read the rules.
But I think my post might have been helpful to British who were interested in looking for a home in Andalucia (Spain).
Because I have no place in this forum, I would be eternally grateful if you resign my user, or tell me how I can I unsubscribe to this website
many thanks
It was only pointed out that ads were not allowed, it does not mean that you have no place on the forum, or victimised, or thrown out into the cold, cold snow, sent to Coventry, outcast, dishonourably discharged, ostracised, etc......so lighten up.
Mar 10th 2012, 9:38 pm
#28
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
a "membership" of BE has been granted by "the powers" so there must be a good reason for being here
sit back and watch the dip ur toes in slowly for a while
the regulars are usually the normal grumpy expats and ex-expats just watchout for the Concert Party who may barge in from time to time
rgds
sit back and watch the dip ur toes in slowly for a while
the regulars are usually the normal grumpy expats and ex-expats just watchout for the Concert Party who may barge in from time to time
rgds
Mar 10th 2012, 9:41 pm
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: How Do You Find Rental Properties if you Speak Only English?
