General information for prospective tenants: read this before signing anything for a rental property

Janet · 13-03-09, 23:36

This is intended as a general information thread for anyone thinking of renting a property in Tenerife. Please feel free to add advice. The more helpful comments we have on this thread the better.

First of all, if you are thinking of renting and reading this thread, then you are already in the best place to find out the information you need! Go by word of mouth first and foremost, and our members’ recommendations will serve you better than walking into any number of specialist agencies off the street.

Be aware that there are two types of rental properties here. Holiday lets, and long-term lets. You can expect a rental contract to vary in length depending on which you are looking for. With long-term lets, known as residential lets, the minimum contract you are likely to have is three months. There will also be six month contracts, and occasionally year-long ones. The law changes to protect the tenant with contracts over a year in length, so they are understandably less common.

If you are thinking of renting privately, look out for signs saying se alquila, which means “for let”. Don’t be afraid to ring these numbers thinking the landlord is going to be Spanish. Many English owners will use them too because they will be hoping to attract the widest possible range of enquiries, from prospective Spanish tenants as well as English.

If you are using an agency, view the widest range of properties. Bear in mind that many agents will just want you to take the ones they have on their own books! There will inevitably be much doubling up of properties, with owners putting their properties on the books of as many agents as possible to secure a tenant. Check that the property you are considering isn’t on other agents’ books … at a cheaper rent.

Consider, too, that if you find a property priced differently with different agents, it probably won’t be a case of the owner setting the rent differently, but will more likely be a different rate of commission charged. Don’t pay a higher commission unnecessarily.

You can expect to pay your rent in advance, and therefore the first month’s rent will be payable when you take possession. You will also almost certainly be asked to pay a deposit which will be held against any possible damage or debt incurred during your tenancy. If all is well when you leave, then the deposit should be refundable. You should request this in writing, and get receipts both for your deposit and for all rental payments made. The deposit may be called a deposit, a bond, or in Spanish, fianza.

Finally, you should not expect to pay more than the equivalent of one month’s rent as a deposit. Some agents will ask for two months, but if you are prepared to consider this, make very sure that all the money is a refundable deposit. Some agents charge an administration or contract fee, and it is important to determine the nature of all monies handed over, and whether or not they are refundable. This is because, unfortunately, it is not unknown for agents to charge such a fee, whether called a finder’s fee, or an administration or contract fee, and pass this off as a deposit. The tenant only finds out it is not a deposit when they leave and discover that the money is not refundable. Evidently, if you discover this has been attempted in your case, and that an agent has been dishonest before you have even signed the contract, the best advice would be to give such an agent a very wide berth.

As I said at the beginning, this is intended as a general advice thread for potential tenants of rental properties in Tenerife. Please feel free to add to it.

First Lady Supertonic · 13-03-09, 23:42

Thanks Janet a very helpful and informative post.

Princess · 13-03-09, 23:45

I really hope potential tenants coming to rent in Tenerife read this, it will help prevent the horror stories.

First Lady Supertonic · 13-03-09, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess

I really hope potential tenants coming to rent in Tenerife read this, it will help prevent the horror stories.

Princess, you along side the other moderators can hopefully catch them in your nets on their introduction posts and point them in the right direction when necessary.

It's quite comforting to know that our moderators are protective not only of our current members but of prospective members too.

Princess · 14-03-09, 00:14

I must admit, this subject does fire me up a right treat

From Princess to Attila the Hun in curlers

First Lady Supertonic · 14-03-09, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess

I must admit, this subject does fire me up a right treat

From Princess to Attila the Hun in curlers

fixer · 14-03-09, 15:16

The post by Janet is very infomative id just add the day you move in check everything is working everything that they say is there is actually there and take pictures as a recored of any existing damage to furniture and fittings and report it . Dont let them use some excuse for not getting your deposit back. David

Janet · 14-03-09, 18:21

Excellent advice.

blackbirdcbr · 28-01-10, 20:28

There always seems to be a clause in the Spanish tenancy agreement saying that the property is in perfect condition. Many times they use this clause to withold the deposit and the end of the rental period. A friend of mine lost their deposit in this way, the house was not perfect, but they signed the contract anyway. Long and short of it is to take photos, secondly to strike the clause perfect condition, or the word perfecto. Under the Law contracts are above the codigo civil and rental act. Incidently the agent involved had also short changed the client 500€ in rent, therefore breaking the Rental Act. Luck that my friend had retained their receipts as proof.