Renting a Property in Spain....

Almost everyone who has written about buying a holiday or second home in Spain has suggested renting a property before you decide to buy. This is without doubt, good advice, buying property anywhere in Spain needs a good deal of consideration, just because the sun is shining, doesn't mean that a location or property is right for you.

Renting a property for a period of time has some distinct advantages over wading in and going for outright purchase, for one thing, it will enable you to view an area in different seasons ( not just the summer) and really get a feel if you like the weather. Its often overlooked by many people acquiring a retirement home that the weather may not bearable all year around. As well as the weather, renting will allow you to get to know an area without feeling under any pressure to buy a property quickly. Being on location so to speak, you will also be alerted to any local sales of property that become available and will be on hand to be first to the deal. Often Spanish holiday homes are not advertised, local Spanish people advertise them by word of mouth and only by becoming friendly with people will you be able to pick up on this information.

The process of renting a property in Spain is fairly straight forward and there is usually a fair amount of property to rent in most locations.  Usual mistakes are to rent property without seeing it, even if it is only for a short space of time, this can make you feel uncomfortable about an area. Far better is to book a one or two week break, travel around and try to rent property whilst you are in the area, you can then see what you are getting for your money.

There are usually a number of local Spanish letting agents or an ever growing number of websites that will give you a good idea of prices. When you have found your property, its a good idea to carry our some local research, you don't want to find yourself, in the middle of a building site for 6 months or more. 

There are two types of rental contract in Spain. These are;par-temporada, a contract for short term letting ( or like a holiday letting contract) and Vivienda, a contract for long term letting ( which is more like the contract a buy to let landlord would use). The temporary contract covers most forms of holiday home rentals and anyone that wishes to occupy a property for up to a period of 12 months. The Vivenda will cover rental periods over 12 months. Short term lettings, like in most other countries offer very little protection to the tenant but rentals over 12 months in duration are subject to regulation by Spanish law.

Before you sign your rental contract, it is a good idea to have it checked over. In Spain, you can employ the services of an Abogado to help you. They usually advertise in local news papers and they will be able to help you with the paperwork and alert you to all your obligations. The fees for their services are quite reasonable and they can save you a good deal of time. You will usually be expected to make a deposit of one months rent