10 Tips for Renting a Property in Marbella

There are two key reasons why people are renting properties in Marbella: as a short-term holiday rental, or as a long-term rental for living in year round. The people in the long-term rental category often choose to rent because they are looking for a place to buy and want to take some time exploring the area before making a final decision. Alternatively, they may not in a position to buy just yet, because they are waiting to sell a property in another country, or they have a limited work contract and don’t plan to stay in Marbella for longer than a year or two.

At Key Real Estate we serve the needs of all kinds of renters and we work tirelessly at ensuring that the properties we have for both short and long-term rental are suited to a range of budgets. Renting a property in Marbella it’s not hard if you have the right help!

We’d also like to offer newcomers to Marbella our Top 10 tips with regard to renting. So here goes!

1. Use a reliable agent

Always choose a reliable rental agent, such as Key Real Estate. One with experience that you can easily contact if there are problems with the property.

2. Know the law

Read up about rental laws in Spain and particularly on the Costa del Sol. Laws may vary slightly between Spanish autonomous regions.

3. The rental contract

The latest rental contract laws are more flexible than in the past. For example, the tenant can terminate the rental contract:

after six months, respecting a notice period of 30 days, regardless of the duration of the contract.
if a clause has been inserted in the rental contract stating that the tenant can terminate the contract at any moment, even before six months are up.

4. The deposit

For short-term rentals, a percentage of the total cost is payable up front. In the case of long-term rentals, the standard is one month’s deposit plus the first month’s rent. However, because non-payment of rent has been an issue for landlords, some are asking for a deposit of two-months and more. They might also ask for:

a bank guarantee or bank statements to show ability to pay
a reference from an employer

5. What else does a tenant pay for?

The tenant pays all the utilities (water, gas, electric). The landlord may put the bills in the renter’s name and ask them to set up a direct debit for payments. Alternatively, the landlord may pay the utility bills and the tenant reimburses them. Internet and phone connections are usually the responsibility of the tenant, although some rentals may come with these included in the rental price.

6. When is the rent due?

The tenant and landlord agree the date on which rent is to be paid each month, but there is a seven-day grace period after this date in which you can pay without breaking your contract.

7. What about repairs?

It is normal for the landlord to pay for any major repairs and replacement of items, such as fridges and cookers, as long as the tenant didn’t cause the damage. Regarding minor repairs, this depends on the landlord-tenant agreement, and some owners may consider that the tenant should pay for anything less than €100, especially if it is the type of damage caused simply by living in a property. Establish this from the beginning.

8. What rights does a renter have if the landlord decides to sell?

If the rental contract has been lodged with the Property Register, the new owner will have to respect it. However, if it hasn’t, then the buyer can terminate the rental contract, giving a three-month notice period.

9. Explore the area before renting

Find out what you can about the area first before signing a contract. Does it provide all the amenities you want? You may need to view a few before making your mind up.

10. Don’t pay before viewing

Don’t pay any kind of deposit without viewing the property, and establishing that the ‘landlord’ is legally entitled to rent it out. That’s why it is better to use an agent like Key Real Estate.

We have a wonderful selection of long-term and holiday rentals available, and we offer all our clients a truly personal service. Please contact us when you’re looking for Marbella property rentals.

We are sure after all these tips, renting a property in Marbella just became easier. If not, give us a call or contact us at rentals@keyrealestates.com and one of our agents will help you.