Isn't OwnersDirect mainly for holiday properties? If so (as I suspect), then I can see why the prices might drop drastically for a longer term let.

yes it looks like they're just holiday lets. I've asked them about long term rental and am awaiting their response. here's hoping x

Not just holiday lets I just emailed them and asked if they do long lets, lots of them do. Have to watch out for a lot of them ripping you off Ithink a lot of them will do long lets because people are not going to Spain now and one man told me they have a lot of cancelations due to the fires

Just watch out for people offering 'long term lets', many of them are October to April only, also there are some people out there who think they can let their property for 'long term' but, they want it for a couple of weeks in July for their holidays.

Pity there wasnt a site where you can advertise apartment wanted

try
http://www.murciainmo.com/buscador.asp?t=alquiler&p=14

and follow the alquiler thru from there
this is predominately Spanish advertising their properties, be prepared to have the fone put down on you if your Spanish language isnt good enough

best of luck

Thank you x

Many letting agents provide an excellent service. They will look after your interests and try to find you the correct property to suit your needs. Fees for the service differ depending on the property and the circumstances.
Most of the viewings are accompanied viewings with the agent as quite often the owner is not available. If the agent finds you a property they need paying for their service and for drawing up the contracts. Some times the tenant pays for the service, sometimes the owner or sometimes both.
Ask what you will be charged and what service is being provided and who is the point of contact once you have taken possession of the property. The contract must be in Spanish but there should be an English translation aswell.
If you can get a property direct from the owner it may save you some money so look in the local papers in the area.
You best option is to rent for a month at a holiday property if you can - you'll get a good rate now for a stay of 4 weeks and then visit longer term rentals once you are in the area.
If you can't do that ask the agents for a property they would recommend
Good luck

will they just take a 1 off fee and does anyone know roughly how much it would be

In Javea we would charge the owner 1 month rent for our fee. Some agents charge the owner 1 month rent and the tenant 1/2 month rent.
If two agents work together ie one has the property and one has the tenant then both owner and tenant will probably be charged
Does that make sense

it depends also if the agent is just doing an introduction between the owner & tenant, or if they continue to manage the property

some agents who also manage the property will take a % of the monthly rent as their fee

If you use an agent they will do all contracts etc, meter readings, sort the utilities and be available until you take possession that is what the fee is for. If the agent is retained as the first point of contact then the owner pays the agent for this service

exactly - out of the monthly rent


as for contracts - most of the agents I've come across just use the standard contract from the tabac

and half of them (the Brit ones, anyway) don't speak enough Spanish to get it translated properly into English ............

for that reason if no other it's important for the tenant to get an independent translation if they don't read Spanish really well

The ones from the tabaconists are fine and the tax is automatically paid - the problem is as you say they are only in Spanish. I think most agents will provide it in English as well if not don't sign it if you don't understand it. Some owners will have all sorts of bits added in and you may find you signed something and agreed to do all the maintenance!!