Hi

When renting would you say it is better to go through an agency or direct to the owners?

Thanks xxx

I'd go direct to the owners. At the very least you save yourself the agency fee. Check the classifed ads in the newspapers or online.

I only once went via an agency and from my experience they offer zero protection.

Hi

Thank you for that i was having a look through sur in english and noticed if you went direct you could save a bit of money. xx

The one time I went through an agency, the first flat I ever rented in Spain, the flat turned out to be unliveable in. It was in a newly refurbished block, and it turned out that the electricity hadn't yet been connected, so they connected me via extension cables to the supply in the street that the workmen were using.

After a couple of weeks waiting for the connection, the landlord agreed that it was unacceptable - he refunded me the rent in full plus the deposit. The agency refused to refund their fee and instead offered to find me a different flat.

I've gone private ever since and have had no such issues.

Thank you x

Only problem with private is if anything goes wrong, with an agency you have somewhere local to contact, private you may have to contact someone in the UK, and hope they are in. We rented private, and had a couple of problems, even though the owner lived nearby it took days to get things sorted, eventually we just gave notice and left. The places we have had agencies for have usually sorted any problems out quickly, however, watch out for agencies that are not really agencies, just call themselves such. Ensure that the rental contract is in Spanish as well as english, as those are the only legal ones for getting on the padron.

The only other thing i thought was about private if they lived nearby, i would not want them coming whenever they feel like it. x

Ok - this may not be totally relevant to coastal areas but I can remember going via agencies in Madrid, when I got frustrated with the private ads. It may not be so bad now in recessionary times, but often flats, rooms etc get taken as soon as they are advertised in the big city. You only need to make 2 or 3 phone calls (made harder by the fact you need to speak in spanish) before you realise using an agency (who typically have several options on their books) makes sense.

Once you are in the place, the owner has no right of entry at any time.

..............without notice

usually somewhere in the contract there is something about being able to check the property periodically


our last landlord wanted to come round all the time & actually got quite abusive when I refused to let him in


he turned up one day with an electrician at a time I told him I'd be out - let himself in & made himself a drink!!!



we put a stop to that pretty darn quick I can tell you

Hi

That is the one thing i would dread. I dont mind inspection checks but i know even some in the uk who just pop into there tenants homes

I think I am right in saying that Lynnxa's landlord broke the law...big style. Landlords have no right to enter the property (might be different for weekly holiday lets..not sure).

It's a worrying fact (for landlords), but your rental contract is absolutely worthless. Contract law is overruled by statute law. And statute law says that your landlord cannot enter. If he does you can call the police and have him arrested!! Statute law is HEAVILY in favour of the tenant.

If you fail to pay your rent, or overstay your rental period it will be a very long and costly experience for your landlord to get you out. Statute law permits the tenant to live in the property as if it was their own.

If your landlord asks to carry out inspection checks he can only do so with your consent. You are within your rights to say no.

the guardia had a little chat with him

Jaja! Well done.

They cannot just come over unless there is a clause in the contract that they need access to a room now and again.