Renting a furnished apartment in Barcelona is governed by a series of rules and principles, based on the rights and obligations of the tenant and the landlord. When the property is furnished, the Urban Leases Law applies.
Essential documents to rent a furnished flat in Barcelona
Owners can choose between different types of rentals: tourist flats, long-term or seasonal (from 1 to 11 months). Seasonal rental contracts are usually renewable under certain conditions. In the case of long-term rentals, the maximum term is 5 years: the contract is automatically renewed every year, unless the tenant or the owner requests otherwise. The conditions can also be reviewed at the end of the 5-year period, allowing for automatic renewal for another 3 years.
During the interview with the future tenant, a number of documents are required to legalize the rental of furnished apartments in Barcelona:
- Certificate of occupancy or certificate of habitability: the Generalitat de Catalunya is the body to contact to obtain this essential document, which certifies that the flat is liveable and complies with current habitability standards. You can also apply for it online through the Barcelona City Council’s Vivienda te Llama portal.
- The energy efficiency certificate: this certificate is linked to the energy transition and, in addition to measuring the thermal efficiency of the home, it also measures the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Failure to present this document may result in a fine being imposed on the owner.
- The cadastral reference: this is simply requested from the town hall and represents the number of the plot where the property to be rented is located.
In addition to these documents, you will have to specify the following information, which is essential for drawing up a rental contract: the name and contact details of the landlord, a description of the property, the conditions of the contract and its duration, the amount of the rent and the deposit, the deadline for payment of the monthly installments, possible penalties for early departure, etc.
Rental payments for furnished accommodation
Deposit and bail
To formalize the rent furnished flat in Barcelona, the tenant is obliged to pay one month’s rent: this sum serves to reserve the arrangement and, therefore, to guarantee that it will be available on the agreed date. This sum will be retained by the landlord if the tenant cancels at the last minute.
The bail is equivalent to 2 months’ rent, i.e., one month more than for an unfurnished flat. This sum is actually a guarantee and can be retained in full, or only in part, by the landlord if any damage is found on the tenant’s departure, during the final inventory. If the flat is returned in its original condition, the deposit is returned in full. If the rental contract is extended beyond the first 5 years, the security deposit may be increased.
Maintaining good relations with your tenant is not always easy. To facilitate exchanges and simplify the various formalities involved in renting a property in Spain, it is best to entrust the management of your property to a specialized real estate agency such as Loca Barcelona, which has been established in Barcelona for many years.
Rents and taxes
The amount of rent is specified in the rental contract. In the case of long-term rentals, utilities such as heating, electricity and gas are usually not included in the rent and must be paid directly to the supplier.
This problem does not arise in the case of seasonal rentals: the costs are included or paid on departure. These costs can be deducted directly from the tenant’s bank account at the same time as the rent. Check all the details in the rental contract.
Status of the premises
The inventory: a must when renting furnished accommodation
An inventory of the premises on arrival and departure of the tenant is mandatory and reassuring for both parties.
A complete inventory is required for all furnished apartments rented in Barcelona. The tenant and the landlord carry out this operation together and make a note of any visible damage. The furniture, equipment, and fittings present are listed and examined in detail.
The document created is returned to the landlord when the tenant leaves, so that new defects can be identified and any litigation avoided. Your real estate agent can take care of these inventories.
Repairing damages
When renting furnished apartments in Barcelona, repairs may be necessary after the tenant has left. The security deposit covers these repairs.
In the case of long-term rentals, the work to be carried out by the tenant may relate to wear and tear caused by normal use of the property, or deterioration due to misuse or an incident.
In the case of structural damage detrimental to safety or health, the landlord may be required by the tenant to carry out the work. In case of emergency, the tenant must pay for the repairs and be reimbursed.
The works must be notified one month in advance. The tenant must then be compensated for the inconvenience caused by a reduction of the rent corresponding to the surface area affected.
When can I terminate a rental agreement?
The part of the owner
The rental contract for a furnished flat in Barcelona can be terminated for several reasons:
- You wish to make the flat your main residence.
- The occupant of the flat does not pay the rent despite several reminders to do so.
- The flat has been sublet without your permission.
- Work has been carried out without your knowledge.
- Characteristic damage has been caused which is detrimental to the value of the property.
- You have received several complaints from neighbors, etc.
The rental contract can be terminated under these conditions. If you wish to initiate proceedings, it is best to send a registered letter. If the flat is managed by Loca Barcelona, an agent will take care of the formalities.
The part of the tenant
Breaking a rental contract for a furnished flat in Barcelona is more difficult on the part of the tenant. However, there are some valid reasons for this:
- The owner does not maintain the flat properly and does not carry out the works for which he is responsible.
- The landlord makes unannounced visits and does not respect the tenant’s privacy.
- The tenant agrees to pay the rent for the remaining months: if the contract is for 6 months and the tenant leaves after 4 months, he/she will owe 2 months’ rent, plus possible penalties.
Knowing your rights and obligations is essential to get the most out of renting furnished apartments in Barcelona. If you can’t take care of all the paperwork, Loca Barcelona offers complete, tailor-made management contracts, drawn up according to the characteristics of the property and the options you want.