💡 Listings are found on idealista, fotocasa or habitaclia; alquiler is rent, piso flat, gastos utility costs, fianza the deposit; the price is often given without utilities.
💡 Rooms: dormitorio (bedroom), salón, cocina, baño; amueblado is furnished, sin amueblar unfurnished; ascensor is lift, terraza terrace.
💡 Pets depend on the owner's consent; better put the agreement in the contract; gastos de comunidad (building charges) may or may not be included.
💡 An agency (inmobiliaria) may charge a fee (honorarios); since 2023 the owner pays the fee for residential rentals, not the tenant; confirm this.
💡 The owner asks for: passport, work contract or proof of income (nóminas, justificante de ingresos), sometimes a guarantor or extra deposit; ask beforehand.
💡 Rental term: the contract is usually signed for a year, but by law the tenant has the right to extend it each year up to five years; you can leave earlier by giving the owner notice (preaviso).
💡 A viewing (visita) is arranged briefly by phone or message; arrive on time and bring ID.
💡 Heating: calefacción central, individual, radiadores, aire acondicionado (air conditioning); ask who pays for it.
💡 Before renting it pays to ask about noise, neighbours and windows; visit at different times of day if you can; say ¿Es una zona tranquila?
💡 Defects (desperfectos) are better photographed and noted in the inventory or a letter before signing; agree in writing that the owner will repair them before you move in.
💡 If you like the flat say so at once: good flats go quickly; ask what happens next and which documents are needed.
💡 The contrato de arrendamiento: read the rent, deposit, term and who pays utilities; ask for a copy and an inventory (inventario); all parties sign.
💡 Rent increases are the actualización de la renta: by law limited by an index; the contract says when and under which rule; ask ¿Se actualiza cada año?
💡 The inventory is made at move-in: what is in what condition; sign it and keep a copy - it protects you from claims on leaving.
💡 On moving in you note the meter readings (contadores) for electricity, water and gas; contracts for services are made from them (dar de alta).
💡 For an electricity contract (alta de luz) you need a passport, the address, a bank account (IBAN) and the supply point number (CUPS) found on earlier bills.
💡 A flatmate is a compañero de piso; sub-letting needs the owner's consent (consentimiento del propietario); better recorded in the contract or by a separate letter.
💡 The fianza is the deposit, usually one month's rent; the owner must deposit it with the authority; ask for a receipt (recibo) or transfer confirmation.
💡 Report a breakdown to the owner without delay: by phone and then briefly in writing (message, email) - this is proof the owner was told.
💡 If water is leaking close the main stopcock (llave de paso) and tell the owner or insurer; mop up and photograph the damage.
💡 Words for faults: no funciona, se ha roto, hace ruido, pierde agua, no enciende.
💡 By law small repairs from everyday use (pequeñas reparaciones) are paid by the tenant and necessary ones (reparaciones necesarias) by the owner, unless caused by the tenant.
💡 A blockage is an atasco; desatascar means to unblock; the fontanero (plumber) does it; the owner pays if it's not due to negligence.
💡 If you are locked out call a cerrajero (locksmith): he comes and opens; ask the price beforehand; don't pay in advance and ask for a receipt.
💡 If a neighbour complains answer calmly and agree on a solution; for damp or leaks tell the owner and the comunidad.
💡 You give written notice (preaviso) in advance, usually thirty days; better send the letter by a method with proof and keep a copy.
💡 Before handover clean the flat, take your things and read the meters; go through the condition with the owner and sign a report.
💡 The deposit (fianza) is returned within a month of handing over the keys; if not returned send a written demand (reclamación).
💡 The owner may deduct only a justified amount (daños); ask for a breakdown and photos; if you disagree answer in writing.
💡 When moving change your address with the bank, doctor, school and padrón; leave the new tenant or owner an address for letters.