Renting In Spain
Aug 9th 2019, 12:09 pm
#1
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 21
Renting In Spain
Our time in Portugal is coming to an end and we're looking at Spain as our next location - particularly the coastal area that stretches between Alicante and Almeria.
It would be great to gain an insight into the rental market there, so I have a few questions for anyone who can assist.
Is there an abundance of property available for long term let?
Are there many landlord issues when extending contracts past the initial 12 month period?
Are there any benefits to using an estate agent or is it better to go direct?
We'll be looking for a property that we can live in for around 3 years or so. If you currently rent or have any experience of the current climate, it would be great to hear from you.
It would be great to gain an insight into the rental market there, so I have a few questions for anyone who can assist.
Is there an abundance of property available for long term let?
Are there many landlord issues when extending contracts past the initial 12 month period?
Are there any benefits to using an estate agent or is it better to go direct?
We'll be looking for a property that we can live in for around 3 years or so. If you currently rent or have any experience of the current climate, it would be great to hear from you.
Aug 9th 2019, 2:06 pm
#2
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Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
Posts: 5,160
Re: Renting In Spain
Our time in Portugal is coming to an end and we're looking at Spain as our next location - particularly the coastal area that stretches between Alicante and Almeria.
It would be great to gain an insight into the rental market there, so I have a few questions for anyone who can assist.
Is there an abundance of property available for long term let?
Are there many landlord issues when extending contracts past the initial 12 month period?
Are there any benefits to using an estate agent or is it better to go direct?
We'll be looking for a property that we can live in for around 3 years or so. If you currently rent or have any experience of the current climate, it would be great to hear from you.
It would be great to gain an insight into the rental market there, so I have a few questions for anyone who can assist.
Is there an abundance of property available for long term let?
Are there many landlord issues when extending contracts past the initial 12 month period?
Are there any benefits to using an estate agent or is it better to go direct?
We'll be looking for a property that we can live in for around 3 years or so. If you currently rent or have any experience of the current climate, it would be great to hear from you.
Please read the rental laws (LAU) before renting in Spain.
Rental contracts automatically renew for up to 5 years now.
NEVER pay more than 1 months rent up-front
Security deposits are ONLY 1 month plus (up to) a further 2 months rent
Make sure any deposit is put into a government approved scheme or you may risk losing it later
Contracts can be in Spanish or English but Spanish is better in case there are any issues
IMHO, renting via an agent is a good idea but be prepared to pay up to 1 months rent for their efforts.
Aug 10th 2019, 6:32 pm
#3
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,320
Re: Renting In Spain
Our time in Portugal is coming to an end and we're looking at Spain as our next location - particularly the coastal area that stretches between Alicante and Almeria.
It would be great to gain an insight into the rental market there, so I have a few questions for anyone who can assist.
Is there an abundance of property available for long term let?
Are there many landlord issues when extending contracts past the initial 12 month period?
Are there any benefits to using an estate agent or is it better to go direct?
We'll be looking for a property that we can live in for around 3 years or so. If you currently rent or have any experience of the current climate, it would be great to hear from you.
It would be great to gain an insight into the rental market there, so I have a few questions for anyone who can assist.
Is there an abundance of property available for long term let?
Are there many landlord issues when extending contracts past the initial 12 month period?
Are there any benefits to using an estate agent or is it better to go direct?
We'll be looking for a property that we can live in for around 3 years or so. If you currently rent or have any experience of the current climate, it would be great to hear from you.
have a browse through such sites as www.idealista.es they will give you some clues although many of the rental properties advertised may have long gone as agents "forget" to delist them .
If you have the patience put this article through a translator : https://www.invertia.com/es/noticias...de-2013-291226
good summary of what is happening in the market
Last edited by Loafing Along; Aug 10th 2019 at 6:38 pm. Reason: Additional Comment
Aug 11th 2019, 1:17 am
#4
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Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Christina Lake. BC
Posts: 674
Re: Renting In Spain
Please read the rental laws (LAU) before renting in Spain.
Rental contracts automatically renew for up to 5 years now.
NEVER pay more than 1 months rent up-front
Security deposits are ONLY 1 month plus (up to) a further 2 months rent
Make sure any deposit is put into a government approved scheme or you may risk losing it later
Contracts can be in Spanish or English but Spanish is better in case there are any issues
IMHO, renting via an agent is a good idea but be prepared to pay up to 1 months rent for their efforts.
Rental contracts automatically renew for up to 5 years now.
NEVER pay more than 1 months rent up-front
Security deposits are ONLY 1 month plus (up to) a further 2 months rent
Make sure any deposit is put into a government approved scheme or you may risk losing it later
Contracts can be in Spanish or English but Spanish is better in case there are any issues
IMHO, renting via an agent is a good idea but be prepared to pay up to 1 months rent for their efforts.
Aug 11th 2019, 8:00 am
#5
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 21
Re: Renting In Spain
Thanks for the comments so far - very useful.
I do get the impression that rental demand is increasing with many properties now used for short term holiday lets. I'm also seeing many listings that are only available to teachers or properties that are only available outside peak season.
Luckily, we're flexible in terms of area and we don't mind being a few kilometres inland which should make things a little easier.
I do get the impression that rental demand is increasing with many properties now used for short term holiday lets. I'm also seeing many listings that are only available to teachers or properties that are only available outside peak season.
Luckily, we're flexible in terms of area and we don't mind being a few kilometres inland which should make things a little easier.
Aug 11th 2019, 9:17 am
#6
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Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
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Re: Renting In Spain
However, there is a lot of controversy over this with many saying the landlord should pay, some saying 50:50 etc.
Aug 11th 2019, 12:30 pm
#7
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Location: Christina Lake. BC
Posts: 674
Re: Renting In Spain
exactly the service is for for landlord, think I will look to private rent then.
Aug 11th 2019, 3:50 pm
#8
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Location: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
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Re: Renting In Spain
Obviously the landlord wins as well, as he is able to rent out their property but you BOTH benefit from the services of an agent.
If not, don't answer ads that are via an agent
Aug 14th 2019, 7:52 am
#9
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 21
Re: Renting In Spain
We have just finished an eight month rental in Javea.
Personally I would definitely use an agent. We viewed properties with three different agents and they all asked for one month
rent in fees from us if we took out a rental with them. Each agent dropped to half a months fee after negotiating.
The contract was clear and in both Spanish and English.
We had dogs with us and paid one month rent in advance and two months deposit, would have been one but due to the dogs it was two.
We have met a lot of friends in the area, some that rent direct from the owners and they tell us a lot of horror stories about their rentals where they don't get the deposit back, the owners and their families are always round their house unannounced using the pool or garage
and never deal with any maintenance issues that the property may have.
We had no such issues, maintenance done immediately, deposit returned one month after moving out.
This was just our experience and of course there are bad agents and great owners but although we didn't have any contact with our agents after they found the property for us, the systems in place led to us having a good experience.
Personally I would definitely use an agent. We viewed properties with three different agents and they all asked for one month
rent in fees from us if we took out a rental with them. Each agent dropped to half a months fee after negotiating.
The contract was clear and in both Spanish and English.
We had dogs with us and paid one month rent in advance and two months deposit, would have been one but due to the dogs it was two.
We have met a lot of friends in the area, some that rent direct from the owners and they tell us a lot of horror stories about their rentals where they don't get the deposit back, the owners and their families are always round their house unannounced using the pool or garage
and never deal with any maintenance issues that the property may have.
We had no such issues, maintenance done immediately, deposit returned one month after moving out.
This was just our experience and of course there are bad agents and great owners but although we didn't have any contact with our agents after they found the property for us, the systems in place led to us having a good experience.
Aug 14th 2019, 8:03 am
#10
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Joined: Jul 2019
Location: jalon valley costa Blanca
Posts: 4,283
Re: Renting In Spain
We have just finished an eight month rental in Javea.
Personally I would definitely use an agent. We viewed properties with three different agents and they all asked for one month
rent in fees from us if we took out a rental with them. Each agent dropped to half a months fee after negotiating.
The contract was clear and in both Spanish and English.
We had dogs with us and paid one month rent in advance and two months deposit, would have been one but due to the dogs it was two.
We have met a lot of friends in the area, some that rent direct from the owners and they tell us a lot of horror stories about their rentals where they don't get the deposit back, the owners and their families are always round their house unannounced using the pool or garage
and never deal with any maintenance issues that the property may have.
We had no such issues, maintenance done immediately, deposit returned one month after moving out.
This was just our experience and of course there are bad agents and great owners but although we didn't have any contact with our agents after they found the property for us, the systems in place led to us having a good experience.
Personally I would definitely use an agent. We viewed properties with three different agents and they all asked for one month
rent in fees from us if we took out a rental with them. Each agent dropped to half a months fee after negotiating.
The contract was clear and in both Spanish and English.
We had dogs with us and paid one month rent in advance and two months deposit, would have been one but due to the dogs it was two.
We have met a lot of friends in the area, some that rent direct from the owners and they tell us a lot of horror stories about their rentals where they don't get the deposit back, the owners and their families are always round their house unannounced using the pool or garage
and never deal with any maintenance issues that the property may have.
We had no such issues, maintenance done immediately, deposit returned one month after moving out.
This was just our experience and of course there are bad agents and great owners but although we didn't have any contact with our agents after they found the property for us, the systems in place led to us having a good experience.
Aug 15th 2019, 10:38 am
#11
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 21
Re: Renting In Spain
Very useful post EagleJ, thanks.
Paying an estate agent a month's rent to find a landlord that will accept foreigners, won't ask for a guarantor, is willing to rent long term and hopefully won't run off with our deposit sounds like a good deal to me.
Paying an estate agent a month's rent to find a landlord that will accept foreigners, won't ask for a guarantor, is willing to rent long term and hopefully won't run off with our deposit sounds like a good deal to me.
Aug 17th 2019, 3:14 pm
#12
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Posts: 843
Re: Renting In Spain
That is something you get used to here. The agent might even make a deal with the owner to take a monthly commission from the rent. Its not unusual for a commission to be paid for any service that you require. If anyone says they can help you then they will more than likely be getting a commission whether its a builder, insurance, electrician or even someone getting your ITV on your car. Thats the way it is here. Be careful but just live with it.
Aug 17th 2019, 3:21 pm
#13
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,320
Re: Renting In Spain
That is something you get used to here. The agent might even make a deal with the owner to take a monthly commission from the rent. Its not unusual for a commission to be paid for any service that you require. If anyone says they can help you then they will more than likely be getting a commission whether its a builder, insurance, electrician or even someone getting your ITV on your car. Thats the way it is here. Be careful but just live with it.
Aug 17th 2019, 3:26 pm
#14
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 843
Re: Renting In Spain
Well you probably have never realised it.
