You’re a Renter. Not a Lawyer.
Here’s what you really need to know.
By Your rent.ai Experts
May 22, 2025
3 minute read
Signing your first lease?
Signing your first lease? Congrats. Also: heads up. Rental contracts in Spain are full of weird clauses, passive-aggressive landlord rules, and things no one tells you until it's too late.
Here’s a short guide to avoid getting played - and to know what you’re actually signing.
Don’t pay for stuff you shouldn’t
- 1 month deposit: standard and required.
- Extra guarantees: (like 2–3 more months)? Only legal if you agreed in writing - and they must be returned at the end.
- Agency fees: only if you hired them. If the landlord did, they can’t pass the cost on to you (according to consumer law).
rent.ai checks if fees are legit and tells you what to ask before paying anything.
When Things Break
- If it’s major (boiler, AC, power outage): It’s the owner’s job to fix it - and fast.
- If it’s minor (light bulb, clogged drain): That’s on you.
- For urgent things in summer or winter, repairs should happen within 2–3 days. Document everything.
Contracts 101: What to look for
- Duration: You have the right to stay 5 years, even if the lease says "1 year." (Unless the owner wants to move back in and proves it.)
- Leaving early? You're allowed to go after 6 months, as long as you give 30 days' notice in writing.
- What's included? Ask for a full inventory list with photos before you move in. If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t count.
rent.ai keeps a timeline of your messages and helps you ask for fixes in a way that gets taken seriously.
Real Talk
- Just because something’s in the contract doesn’t mean it’s legal.
- Don’t agree to weird WhatsApp-only rules or "cash-only rent" deals.
- If anything feels shady - ask, wait, or use rent.ai to scan the contract and double-check.
Your First Lease Doesn’t Have to Be a Trap
- Don’t let legal jargon freak you out - you’re protected by law more than you think.
- Understand what you're signing before you get locked in.
- rent.ai helps you feel like a pro - even if it’s your first time out of your parents’ place.
Renting? Here’s what most people only learn too late
Renting can be simple - but only if you know what to watch for. A few smart habits can save you money, time, and unnecessary stress.
Renting sounds straightforward: sign a lease, pay on time, and keep the place clean. But most renters, even the careful ones, run into the same issues again and again. A broken boiler. A deposit that never comes back. A landlord who stops replying when something goes wrong.
The good news? Most of it is avoidable if you stay one step ahead.
What Matters More Than You Think:
- What you sign: Lease agreements aren’t always fair, and sometimes they include things that aren’t even legal. If something looks off, flag it early - don’t assume it’s “just how it works.”
- What you document: Whether you’re moving in or reporting a repair, written records matter. Photos, messages, receipts - they’re small habits that make a big difference if there’s a dispute later.
- How you communicate: Verbal requests can be forgotten. WhatsApp chats get buried. The safest thing you can do is write clearly, follow up, and keep a record of your side of things.
- When you speak up: You don’t have to wait until move-out day to protect your deposit. If something breaks, don’t ignore it. If something feels wrong, ask about it. The earlier, the better.
At rent.ai, we help renters take the guesswork out of renting.
From reviewing your contract to documenting repairs and tracking communication with your property owner - we guide you through it, step by step. No stress, no second-guessing, and no more losing your deposit over the small stuff.
Own your space
Sign up to the Closed Beta
and get 1 free year of our Premium Plan at launch
You’re a Renter. Not a Lawyer.
Here’s what you really need to know.
By Your rent.ai Experts
May 22, 2025
3 minute read
Signing your first lease?
Signing your first lease? Congrats. Also: heads up. Rental contracts in Spain are full of weird clauses, passive-aggressive landlord rules, and things no one tells you until it's too late.
Here’s a short guide to avoid getting played - and to know what you’re actually signing.
Don’t pay for stuff you shouldn’t
- 1 month deposit: standard and required.
- Extra guarantees: (like 2–3 more months)? Only legal if you agreed in writing - and they must be returned at the end.
- Agency fees: only if you hired them. If the landlord did, they can’t pass the cost on to you (according to consumer law).
rent.ai checks if fees are legit and tells you what to ask before paying anything.
When Things Break
- If it’s major (boiler, AC, power outage): It’s the owner’s job to fix it - and fast.
- If it’s minor (light bulb, clogged drain): That’s on you.
- For urgent things in summer or winter, repairs should happen within 2–3 days. Document everything.
Contracts 101: What to look for
- Duration: You have the right to stay 5 years, even if the lease says "1 year." (Unless the owner wants to move back in and proves it.)
- Leaving early? You're allowed to go after 6 months, as long as you give 30 days' notice in writing.
- What's included? Ask for a full inventory list with photos before you move in. If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t count.
rent.ai keeps a timeline of your messages and helps you ask for fixes in a way that gets taken seriously.
Real Talk
- Just because something’s in the contract doesn’t mean it’s legal.
- Don’t agree to weird WhatsApp-only rules or "cash-only rent" deals.
- If anything feels shady - ask, wait, or use rent.ai to scan the contract and double-check.
Your First Lease Doesn’t Have to Be a Trap
- Don’t let legal jargon freak you out - you’re protected by law more than you think.
- Understand what you're signing before you get locked in.
- rent.ai helps you feel like a pro - even if it’s your first time out of your parents’ place.
Renting? Here’s what most people only learn too late
Renting can be simple - but only if you know what to watch for. A few smart habits can save you money, time, and unnecessary stress.
Renting sounds straightforward: sign a lease, pay on time, and keep the place clean. But most renters, even the careful ones, run into the same issues again and again. A broken boiler. A deposit that never comes back. A landlord who stops replying when something goes wrong.
The good news? Most of it is avoidable if you stay one step ahead.
What Matters More Than You Think:
- What you sign: Lease agreements aren’t always fair, and sometimes they include things that aren’t even legal. If something looks off, flag it early - don’t assume it’s “just how it works.”
- What you document: Whether you’re moving in or reporting a repair, written records matter. Photos, messages, receipts - they’re small habits that make a big difference if there’s a dispute later.
- How you communicate: Verbal requests can be forgotten. WhatsApp chats get buried. The safest thing you can do is write clearly, follow up, and keep a record of your side of things.
- When you speak up: You don’t have to wait until move-out day to protect your deposit. If something breaks, don’t ignore it. If something feels wrong, ask about it. The earlier, the better.
At rent.ai, we help renters take the guesswork out of renting.
From reviewing your contract to documenting repairs and tracking communication with your property owner - we guide you through it, step by step. No stress, no second-guessing, and no more losing your deposit over the small stuff.
Own your space
Sign up to the Closed Beta
and get 1 free year of our Premium Plan at launch
You’re a Renter. Not a Lawyer.
Here’s what you really need to know.
By Your rent.ai Experts
May 22, 2025
3 minute read
Signing your first lease?
Signing your first lease? Congrats. Also: heads up. Rental contracts in Spain are full of weird clauses, passive-aggressive landlord rules, and things no one tells you until it's too late.
Here’s a short guide to avoid getting played - and to know what you’re actually signing.
Don’t pay for stuff you shouldn’t
- 1 month deposit: standard and required.
- Extra guarantees: (like 2–3 more months)? Only legal if you agreed in writing - and they must be returned at the end.
- Agency fees: only if you hired them. If the landlord did, they can’t pass the cost on to you (according to consumer law).
rent.ai checks if fees are legit and tells you what to ask before paying anything.
When Things Break
- If it’s major (boiler, AC, power outage): It’s the owner’s job to fix it - and fast.
- If it’s minor (light bulb, clogged drain): That’s on you.
- For urgent things in summer or winter, repairs should happen within 2–3 days. Document everything.
Contracts 101: What to look for
- Duration: You have the right to stay 5 years, even if the lease says "1 year." (Unless the owner wants to move back in and proves it.)
- Leaving early? You're allowed to go after 6 months, as long as you give 30 days' notice in writing.
- What's included? Ask for a full inventory list with photos before you move in. If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t count.
rent.ai keeps a timeline of your messages and helps you ask for fixes in a way that gets taken seriously.
Real Talk
- Just because something’s in the contract doesn’t mean it’s legal.
- Don’t agree to weird WhatsApp-only rules or "cash-only rent" deals.
- If anything feels shady - ask, wait, or use rent.ai to scan the contract and double-check.
Your First Lease Doesn’t Have to Be a Trap
- Don’t let legal jargon freak you out - you’re protected by law more than you think.
- Understand what you're signing before you get locked in.
- rent.ai helps you feel like a pro - even if it’s your first time out of your parents’ place.
Renting? Here’s what most people only learn too late
Renting can be simple - but only if you know what to watch for. A few smart habits can save you money, time, and unnecessary stress.
Renting sounds straightforward: sign a lease, pay on time, and keep the place clean. But most renters, even the careful ones, run into the same issues again and again. A broken boiler. A deposit that never comes back. A landlord who stops replying when something goes wrong.
The good news? Most of it is avoidable if you stay one step ahead.
What Matters More Than You Think:
- What you sign: Lease agreements aren’t always fair, and sometimes they include things that aren’t even legal. If something looks off, flag it early - don’t assume it’s “just how it works.”
- What you document: Whether you’re moving in or reporting a repair, written records matter. Photos, messages, receipts - they’re small habits that make a big difference if there’s a dispute later.
- How you communicate: Verbal requests can be forgotten. WhatsApp chats get buried. The safest thing you can do is write clearly, follow up, and keep a record of your side of things.
- When you speak up: You don’t have to wait until move-out day to protect your deposit. If something breaks, don’t ignore it. If something feels wrong, ask about it. The earlier, the better.
At rent.ai, we help renters take the guesswork out of renting.
From reviewing your contract to documenting repairs and tracking communication with your property owner - we guide you through it, step by step. No stress, no second-guessing, and no more losing your deposit over the small stuff.
Own your space
Sign up to the Closed Beta
and get 1 free year of our Premium Plan at launch