Rental checklist for tenants

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• Tenants’ guide to long-term rentals
• Rental checklist for tenants

Whether you’re a landlord who owns a property to let for a long or short term or a tenant who is in the market to rent a property to live in or for your next holiday, here is all the information you need

1. Documentation – most property owners and intermediaries, such as estate agents like ourselves, will want to see proof of income or solvency and that you will be a responsible tenant, so it’s a good idea to put together a dossier of personal information, including your photo ID (passport or NIE card), copies of your three most recent pay slips (nóminas) if you’re in employment or bank statements, and ideally two references from previous landlords to hand over when you see a place you like.
2. Terms and conditions – generally speaking, Spanish legislation protects the interests of tenants over those of landlords under long-term rental contracts, but be sure you understand the law, know your rights and read the small print before signing a contract.
3. Inventory – if the property you want to rent includes appliances, furnishings and any other contents, make sure every item is listed on an inventory annexed to the contract, together with an accurate description of its condition if its anything other than perfect or new, before you sign, so you are not held liable for any damage or deterioration that may have occurred during previous tenancies.
4. Deposits – Spanish law stipulates that tenants must provide the equivalent of one month’s rent as a deposit when signing long-term contracts, but additional sums may be asked for depending on the status of your landlord. If it is a company, it can demand up to two more months’ of bank guarantees, while private landlords can request additional assurances, including extended bank guarantees. In any case, deposits of more than one month are freely negotiable, so only agree to reasonable requests.
5. Insurance – responsible owners and landlords should have comprehensive household insurance to cover risks and damages to a property and its contents, as well as to third parties, but it’s good policy to request to see a copy of their coverage, just in case. At the same time, you may wish to take out a separate home insurance policy as a tenant to cover your personal effects and liability, in respect of the landlord and third parties.
6. Services and utilities – depending on the property you rent and your landlord’s preference, you may be asked to transfer utilities and services already supplied to your name for the duration of the contract, in which case you’ll need to give personal and bank account details to the providers in question. Or you may be asked to pay the bills received by the owner or an intermediary. In this case, always request copies of the originals to check your consumption and costs. Before you move in and when you leave, agree on meter readings with the landlord to be sure you’re not paying someone else’s bill.
7. Other costs – landlords are legally obliged to pay the following: annual property tax or rates (IBI in Spanish), community fees (if the property is located within a community), refuse collection, household insurance and maintenance of fittings and fixtures (such as the boiler or gas installation). Before you sign, ask to see copies that all the above are paid up-to-date, so you don’t have to suffer the consequences of any arrears during your occupancy.
8. Paying rent – at Terra Meridiana, we advise tenants to always pay rent by bank transfer or direct debit from your account to ensure payment is made and received in a timely, legal and hassle-free way.
9. Check everything works – make sure the property has been cleaned throughout and all appliances, power sockets, switches, blinds and any other fixtures function as they should. If the property needs painting, insist the landlord takes responsibility for this and that it is done before you sign a contract.
10. Get help, if you need it – if you’re in doubt about your rights as a tenant, the terms and conditions of the contract, or just need a little help with your Spanish, you may want to take advice from a lawyer, gestor or estate agent. At Terra Meridiana, we offer prospective tenants impartial advice free of charge and are always available to help long-term tenants resolve issues during their tenancies.