Our house is up for sale and we would like to move to Spain (Alicante region) but we do not want to buy another house. Does anyone think just renting is an option? I don't mean renting as in just a few months, I mean for a few years. We have been coming to Spain for the last 3 years (Feb/March) so we do know that we love it but do not want to buy. Plus the fact we are both pensioners, have no responsibilities (except one small dog) and I have rhuematoid arthritis. I suppose what I really need to know is:

Is this a good idea money wise?
Can you rent for a few years, instead of months?
What do you do if the owner wants to put his/her house up for sale?

Any replies would be much appreciated.

kit444

Hi and welcome to the forum. We are currently renting. The long term rental is for 11 months and then you can renew if the Landlord wishes. There do seem to be plenty of long term rentals in our area (Benidorm). Other than that can't really help but others will be along shortly who will be able to help.

Its often recommended ..... even for people who mean to buy, as it gives them a chance to get to know the area

I know that you can get a brand new 3 bed house with shared pool in the Alicante area for just over 600 euros a month plus bills, whereas in the UK I pay £500 a month for a two bedroomed flat on the same basis! Obviously if you need something smaller or away from the coast it will be less.

My friend has RA and spends a lot of time in Benidorm
As pensioners you will be covered under the Spanish Health System also, as long as you get an E121 from DWP before you leave

Thanks for replying so quickly. So, what I believe you are saying is, we have to move on every 11 months? For ever? Albir or Alfaz is where we like, we where there for 2 months this Feb/March just gone.

kit444

No .... they will give you an 11 month contract and then renew it afterwards ... you wouldn't have to move. The 11 months is something to do with tenants rights
Alfas del pi is very British .... is that what you want? Its a big urb afaik, so you should have no trouble getting rentals but I'm guessing many will be holiday lets.

Well we live in Albir - come out in January and took an eleven month rental. We love it here although not so keen on Alfaz. If you want to pm me I will do all I can to help plus put you in contact with an estate agent if you wish. We are renting from an English person who has bought our apartment as an investment. We understand that there will be no problem in renewing at the end of December if we so wish.

I think you will find the 11 month rental is a myth. I remember reading about rental agreements in the lawyer answer part of the Surinenglish.
According to him if they have paid their rent on time each month its very difficult to evict tenants without a good reason if they want to stay.
He was warning people about it if they rented out their property.

I thought you could keep renewing every eleven months for five years and it is after the five years that the Landlord would have trouble with the Tenant's gaining rights - but then again I could be wrong. I often am! Still a year in one place and then move to another area of Spain - I quite like that idea. I might tell hubby about that brilliant idea later after a vino or three!

Link to laws here

Apparently, if short term let is not specified on the contract, the tenent has every right for the contract to run for 5 years if so wanted, as long as they have paid regually and not breached the contract in any way.
After 5 years the owner can then give a months notice for them to move.
If the owner wants to sell, they have to give first refusal to tenant.
Also if anyone else wants to buy, they have to honour the contract and wait until the 5 years is up before they can move the tenants out.
So if you rent your property out, be careful....

Very interesting ,thanks for the link JDR another bookmarked.......has you know we will be renting so that is useful Cheers..........

Its all in the free beer thread, if you have a couple of days free have a look round

we have an annually renewable (full 12 months) index-linked rental contract

we have lived here coming up to four years & have no intention of buying at present

we believe that money wise it makes sense at the moment, because if situations change & we were unable to stay in spain, or we wanted to change area, it is really hard to sell

also, although we have stayed in the same town since we have been here, we have tried different areas/types of property, and have finally found what is the perfect spot for us

Thank you for that JDR - will dig out my contract - I don't think it says short term but will check.

Dont think I have forgotten you know!

There may be a get out for them if it has not been.......

Link Quote... "Rental contract may be made before a notary and recorded at the Spanish Property Registry (Registro de la Propiedad)."