Rental Contracts in Spain:
What they don’t tell you (but should)
By Your rent.ai Experts
May 22, 2025
3 minute read
"New country. New rent laws. No clue what you just signed?" Let’s fix that.
Moving to Spain is exciting. But when it comes to renting, things get real confusing, real fast - especially if the contract is in legal Spanish and your NIE is still "in process."
Here’s a simple breakdown of what every expat renter should know - no legalese, no landlord horror stories, just the facts.
What you can (and can’t) be asked to pay
- 1 month deposit: This is required by law and held by the regional housing authority (fianza legal).
- Up to 2 extra months: Allowed only if agreed upfront as additional guarantees.
- Agency fees: Allowed only if agreed upfront as additional guarantees.
- NIE not ready yet? You can still sign a contract - but some agencies may require passport and proof of solvency (like a job offer or savings).
Use rent.ai to review your contract and identify potential issues
What to check in the lease before you sign
- Duration clause: Even if your contract says “1 year,” Spanish law gives you the right to stay up to 5 years (7 if the owner is a company) with automatic renewals unless you want to leave earlier.
- Early exit? You can legally leave after 6 months with 30 days' written notice
- Inventory list: Ask for it! It protects you later when you move out. There is no explicit legal obligation from the property owner to provide a detailed inventory, but it’s highly recommended in order to avoid disputes at the end.
Repairs, Maintenance & Your Rights
- Owner’s responsibility: Anything structural, electrical, or appliance-related (like water heaters, AC, heating) provided with the property - unless the damage is due to misuse by the tenant.
- Your responsibility: Maintenance responsibilities include minor, everyday repairs like changing light bulbs and unclogging drains, as well as the necessary upkeep for all property-owned appliances.
rent.ai helps
- Track dates
- Upload photos
- Generate clean written messages you can send to your landlord
Signing a Contract in Spanish?
- Always ask for a translated copy before you sign.
- Don’t agree to "verbal deals" or WhatsApp promises - they don’t hold up legally.
- Never sign anything you don’t fully understand - Spain has strong tenant laws, but only if you know how to use them.
Renting in Spain as an Expat
- You have more rights than most landlords will mention.
- You don’t need to speak legal Spanish - just understand the basics.
- rent.ai helps you break it down, track issues, and protect your deposit like a local.
Own your space
Sign up to the Closed Beta
and get 1 free year of our Premium Plan at launch
Rental Contracts in Spain:
What they don’t tell you (but should)
By Your rent.ai Experts
May 22, 2025
3 minute read
"New country. New rent laws. No clue what you just signed?" Let’s fix that.
Moving to Spain is exciting. But when it comes to renting, things get real confusing, real fast - especially if the contract is in legal Spanish and your NIE is still "in process."
Here’s a simple breakdown of what every expat renter should know - no legalese, no landlord horror stories, just the facts.
What you can (and can’t) be asked to pay
- 1 month deposit: This is required by law and held by the regional housing authority (fianza legal).
- Up to 2 extra months: Allowed only if agreed upfront as additional guarantees.
- Agency fees: Allowed only if agreed upfront as additional guarantees.
- NIE not ready yet? You can still sign a contract - but some agencies may require passport and proof of solvency (like a job offer or savings).
Use rent.ai to review your contract and identify potential issues
What to check in the lease before you sign
- Duration clause: Even if your contract says “1 year,” Spanish law gives you the right to stay up to 5 years (7 if the owner is a company) with automatic renewals unless you want to leave earlier.
- Early exit? You can legally leave after 6 months with 30 days' written notice
- Inventory list: Ask for it! It protects you later when you move out. There is no explicit legal obligation from the property owner to provide a detailed inventory, but it’s highly recommended in order to avoid disputes at the end.
Repairs, Maintenance & Your Rights
- Owner’s responsibility: Anything structural, electrical, or appliance-related (like water heaters, AC, heating) provided with the property - unless the damage is due to misuse by the tenant.
- Your responsibility: Maintenance responsibilities include minor, everyday repairs like changing light bulbs and unclogging drains, as well as the necessary upkeep for all property-owned appliances.
rent.ai helps
- Track dates
- Upload photos
- Generate clean written messages you can send to your landlord
Signing a Contract in Spanish?
- Always ask for a translated copy before you sign.
- Don’t agree to "verbal deals" or WhatsApp promises - they don’t hold up legally.
- Never sign anything you don’t fully understand - Spain has strong tenant laws, but only if you know how to use them.
Renting in Spain as an Expat
- You have more rights than most landlords will mention.
- You don’t need to speak legal Spanish - just understand the basics.
- rent.ai helps you break it down, track issues, and protect your deposit like a local.
Own your space
Sign up to the Closed Beta
and get 1 free year of our Premium Plan at launch
Rental Contracts in Spain:
What they don’t tell you (but should)
By Your rent.ai Experts
May 22, 2025
3 minute read
"New country. New rent laws. No clue what you just signed?" Let’s fix that.
Moving to Spain is exciting. But when it comes to renting, things get real confusing, real fast - especially if the contract is in legal Spanish and your NIE is still "in process."
Here’s a simple breakdown of what every expat renter should know - no legalese, no landlord horror stories, just the facts.
What you can (and can’t) be asked to pay
- 1 month deposit: This is required by law and held by the regional housing authority (fianza legal).
- Up to 2 extra months: Allowed only if agreed upfront as additional guarantees.
- Agency fees: Allowed only if agreed upfront as additional guarantees.
- NIE not ready yet? You can still sign a contract - but some agencies may require passport and proof of solvency (like a job offer or savings).
Use rent.ai to review your contract and identify potential issues
What to check in the lease before you sign
- Duration clause: Even if your contract says “1 year,” Spanish law gives you the right to stay up to 5 years (7 if the owner is a company) with automatic renewals unless you want to leave earlier.
- Early exit? You can legally leave after 6 months with 30 days' written notice
- Inventory list: Ask for it! It protects you later when you move out. There is no explicit legal obligation from the property owner to provide a detailed inventory, but it’s highly recommended in order to avoid disputes at the end.
Repairs, Maintenance & Your Rights
- Owner’s responsibility: Anything structural, electrical, or appliance-related (like water heaters, AC, heating) provided with the property - unless the damage is due to misuse by the tenant.
- Your responsibility: Maintenance responsibilities include minor, everyday repairs like changing light bulbs and unclogging drains, as well as the necessary upkeep for all property-owned appliances.
rent.ai helps
- Track dates
- Upload photos
- Generate clean written messages you can send to your landlord
Signing a Contract in Spanish?
- Always ask for a translated copy before you sign.
- Don’t agree to "verbal deals" or WhatsApp promises - they don’t hold up legally.
- Never sign anything you don’t fully understand - Spain has strong tenant laws, but only if you know how to use them.
Renting in Spain as an Expat
- You have more rights than most landlords will mention.
- You don’t need to speak legal Spanish - just understand the basics.
- rent.ai helps you break it down, track issues, and protect your deposit like a local.
Own your space
Sign up to the Closed Beta
and get 1 free year of our Premium Plan at launch