9 Essential Steps to Prepare Your property for Rental in Spain

June 5, 2024 2 min read

1. Engage a Real Estate Agent Handling the rental process on your own can be overwhelming due to the extensive paperwork, marketing, and management involved. Consider hiring a specialized real estate agent in your area to streamline the process, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and saving you valuable time.

2. Prepare the Necessary Documentation Your agent will guide you through the required documents, but if you choose to manage it yourself, ensure you have:

Certificate of Habitability
Energy Efficiency Certificate (as per Royal Decree 390/2021)
Up-to-date utility bills for electricity, water, and heating

3. Check Local Rent Control Laws In regions like Catalonia, rent controls may apply. Verify if your area enforces rent limits and adjust your pricing according to the State Reference Index if your property is in a regulated zone.

4. Identify Your Ideal Tenant Determine the type of tenants you prefer, such as families, couples, or students. Tailor your property to attract this demographic by analyzing local competition and making necessary adjustments to your apartment's amenities.

5. Prepare the Apartment for Rental Enhance your apartment's appeal through renovations or minor repairs. Consider furnishing the space to make it inviting or depersonalizing it by removing personal items. Your agent can provide valuable advice on these improvements.

6. List Your Property on Real Estate Portals Your agent will handle this if you opt for their services. If not, take high-quality photos during optimal lighting, organize and clean the space, and create a comprehensive and attractive listing on property portals.

7. Conduct Property Showings An attractive listing and market-aligned pricing will generate interest. Schedule viewings with potential tenants, ensuring the property is clean and well-presented to make a positive impression.

8. Sign the Lease Agreement Once you've found a suitable tenant, finalize the lease agreement. Spanish rental contracts are governed by the Urban Lease Law. Use a standard lease template or let your agent draft the contract, explain the terms to both parties, and arrange the signing.

9. Deposit the Security Deposit After signing the lease and receiving the security deposit, comply with local regulations by depositing it with the appropriate municipal organization as required by Article 36 of the Urban Lease Law (LAU).

Good luck with your rental venture!

Homes-abroad.com handles the entire rental process for both short-term and long-term leases in Spain. With 20 years of experience and English, Spanish and Scandinavian speaking staff across our seven offices, we are ready to assist you.