Hi all

I'm planning on moving to Spain in about 18 months, I want to rent a property preferably a town house and I have researched the costa tropical and Valencia (oliva) any suggestions for anywhere else? I'm not a beach person more a townie and would love a few bars and tapas places within walking distance.

Are there any pitfalls I need to be aware of when renting, there is only me and my hubby moving

Thanks in advance
Vonny

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst BEVS moderates Europe. Moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. This is so that members gain the information that they are looking for and find their experiences on the forums to be friendly and worthwhile.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Hi Rosemary

Thank you for the info, I'm sure I'll find my way around the forum but good to know it's monitored too

Vonny

There are many pitfalls to renting just as there are in UK. Do your research and be wary of estate agents, private lettings and choose carefully. Once you have found somewhere I would suggest you get the contract checked by a an independent solicitor

There are other areas such as income, health care, tax, residency, NIE etc. that needs research before you move

If you are of pension age then you will get health care via UK S1 form.

If not of pension age then you will need private health care, proof of income to support yourselves etc. in order to obtain residency. there is a lot of information on this forum

Good luck

Stone town houses are freezing and with steep stairs and not child friendly. We rented one in Almunecar for 55 nights from AirB&B on our first long stay in Spain. It was a great location and beautifully furnished but we left after 15 nights and moved to a modern sunny flat. The saying you need to put your coat on to go into the house when it's warmer outside is true we know to our cost!
Plenty of long term rental companies in Almunecar but not too many shorter letting g agencies.

Oh thank you so much, not of pension age yet and I have a business in the U.K that will keep trading as my income.
I have been checking out estate agents online, but plan to visit and view as many places as possible in the next months is it easy enough to get healthcare insurance and what's the average cost to it ?

Vonny

Oh are they? That's a little off putting....maybe I'll look at a country house instead, really don't want an apartment

Vonny

Vonny
This raises a number of questions

Are you employed by your business?

Are you a director?

Will you be working for your business whilst in Spain?

If you intend to work in Spain for your business then Spanish NI contributions may also be due (which will give you health care) and they are not cheap

All income will have to be declared as taxable income in Spain and allowances are less than UK for income and dividends.

Suggest you speak to HMRC and a professional tax adviser in Spain

Hi

I'm not a director and I won't be working for the company when in spain. I'm hoping it's going to run itself and that I just get a living allowance out of it to let me rent a place and be as almost as retired as I can be until my pension comes through

Vonny

OK but as you will be residing in Spain you will still have to declare all income in Spain for tax purposes

Sounds a great business that can run itself without any management

Again suggest you speak to HMRC and a Spanish tax expert

Good luck

Do not discount town houses they are not all the same. One reason that they are inclined to be a little colder in the winter is due to the fact that they are built with the heat in mind and as it is hot here more often than it is cold this is a good thing. Not all of them have steep stairs, many are built with shorter flights with turnings as they are in the centre of the building (not sure if that makes sense).

I am not a beach person either so we chose to live in a small town about 10 kms from the coast so that I can easily visit to walk by the sea.

Oliva is a lovely town, we stayed there for a few days in a tiny town house when we were house hunting but I cannot tell you what it is like to live there full time. We do have members who can give you pointers about Oliva so I am sure that they will be helpful.

Rosemary

Thank you rosemary

I am planning on looking at all types of property and areas so I will be visiting on numerous occasions to see what is what


Vonny

Thanks I'll look into it and I have a manager in place already, I'd just rather retire in the sun than in the rainy uk

Vonny

Hi, I live on Costa Tropical, eastern side, just inland from La Rábita, Not all houses are as cold as a previous poster has said, but all houses are different, you need to look, not strip built like UK, well not here anyway. We have lived here 14 years this year, putting a coat on to come indoors is not something ever done, our house is older house huge walls we just heat with a wood burner in winter and summer use air con at times as like today it is mid thirties but not turned it on today. No regrets you just need to fall into Spanish way of life. Just go and check both areas then only you can decide , enjoy the search

Hi

Thanks for the info, I'm planning quite a few trips over within the next 18 months to check places & properties out

I will be doing a lot of research as I'm hoping this is going to be a life changing decision

Vonny