Unfortunately, in Spain property rent is not as flexible and popular as it is in the UK. But it is picking up and it will be interesting to have some basic advice if you are renting your property to tenants or if you are a tenant who wants to rent bedroom or to rent a property in Spain.
Advice for landlords and owners
Make ready the place - Make your place as best as possible for your new tenants.
Short period contract - If you are renting your place for a few weeks or for a few months, get paid in advance as much as possible plus the deposit, if possible. If it is for three months get payment in full. Arrange a Contrato de temporada –it means an agreement for a certain period up to eleven months.
Long period contract - If you are renting your place for a long period, beware that it should be from one to five years. If the tenant pay and meet the terms of the contract they can stay up to five years regardless your will.
The deposit - Get always one month deposit… it is compulsory by law and also it will cover you from any damage in the flat. You cannot miss it.
Stock-tacking - Get ready a stock-tacking of everything. It will be useful when the tenants check out. The purpose of the deposit is to cover any damage and any unpaid utility bill…. The deposit is not thought to cover the last month rent.
The contract - If you make a tenancy agreement (you should do it for your own good), it is better to do it in terms of alquiler solidario rather than alquiler mancomunado. If the tenants do not pay and the contract is solidario, any of the tenants is responsible for the whole debt. Otherwise, if mancomunado, each tenant is responsible for a proportional part of the debt.
Advices for tenants
Leave the place as it was… no more, no less.
You must give a 30 days notice before leaving the place. Nevertheless, if you have a certain term contract – ie. 1 year contract, and you want to leave earlier, you have to allege a reason of force. A job reason is the most popular. Otherwise, you will be breaking the contract.
The deposit - Whenever you check out make sure that you work out with the landlord the deposit back. He is entitled to spend as much time as need to check it. Get receipt of any payment…. This is a must!!!
The contract - Always ask for an agreement.
Pets - Legally, unless it is stated in the contract that pets are not allowed or that you have to ask the landlord if you can bring your pet in the place, nobody can put any objection about it.
Your privacy - By law, it is apt to you to allow future tenants to see the flat when your contract is about to expire and the landlord wants to show the property. The place where you live is your private home address until the contract finish or until a judge say that you must go - if thing get quite twisted.
