Rent house or flat in Madrid

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If you decide to rent a flat yourself when moving to Madrid, you can either check the list of complete online search portals where you can find a big variety of ads, or to get an agent's help (with a little fee when the contract has been signed with the property owner).

Rent is usually paid one month in advance and a deposit will be required when signing the contract. Make sure that you get a receipt of this payment in order to get your money back by the end of the contract. 

The rent for a house or flat in Spain is payable monthly. The current prices for an apartment rental are: €800 for a bedroom apartment in the city centre and 580€ in the outskirts of it. For bigger rentals, a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre is about 1.500€ while it drops down to 990€ when located at the city suburbs.

Usually, monthly payments do not include expenses such as: electricity, gas, Internet connection, TV licenses.

Although prices can differ greatly, Chamberí, Chamartín and Salamanca are the most expensive neighbourhoods in the city. On the other side, "Pozuelo" area is the cheapest in the city to rent.

Furnished or Unfurnished Accommodation in Madrid

Most rental properties in Spain are let unfurnished, particularly for lets longer than one year.

Note that "unfurnished" doesn't simply mean "without furniture" in Spain. An unfurnished property, particularly in major cities, is usually an "empty shell" with no light fixtures, curtain rods or even a television aerial. There's also no cooker, refrigerator or dishwasher. Always ask before viewing as you may save yourself a wasted trip.

If the previous tenant has fitted items such as carpets and kitchen cupboards, he may ask you to reimburse him for the cost. You should be prepared to negotiate the price and make sure that you receive value for money.

How to Search for a Rental in Madrid

Online

Among the most popular webpages you can find:

Newspapers

Newspapers are also a useful source when searching for real estates. For rental ads consult the print versions of the main Spanish publications:

Rental Agents in Madrid

When looking for a flat/house to rent, you might want to hire a real estate agent in order to save you a lot of time and worry.

The agent will assist you on your search regarding your criteria, accompany you to the viewings that can fit your wished, help you with all bureaucracy and necessary documents for signing the contract and, if needed, also consult on options for receiving a credit.

The price of their services can vary from one real estate agent to another. Consequently it is necessary to discuss it previously and sign a contract. The agent is paid when the rental contract has been signed between the tenant and the landlord.

Spainhouses.net published more than 280 results for Estate Agents offices in Madrid

Visit the Property

It is recommended to visit the property before signing any kind of contract to make sure everything is as expected and to gain a first impression of it. 

It is also recommended to:

  • Check out that all the equipment is in good condition
  • Request for samples of bills to have an idea of the extra expenses cost (light, gas, water..)
  • Ask for the property rules and what neighbours have approved to make sure you can follow the property statements
  • When renting a property you may be required to complete and sign an inventory (inventario) of the fixtures, fittings and furnishings and make a report of its general condition. If you find a serious fault after signing the inventory, send a registered letter to your landlord asking for it to be attached to the inventory. When leaving the accommodation rented you may be required to pay for cleaning, unless you leave it in a spotless condition. Check that you aren't overcharged; the going rate is usually less than 6€ an hour.

Rental Contracts in Madrid

A property rental contract is only valid under written document. Both the tenant and the landlord should have two copies.

The contract should specify:

  • The date and means (cash, bank transfer) of paying the rent. For payments in cash always make sure to receive a signed receipt
  • If the contract is open-ended or has an ending date
  • Who must deal with the utility payments, e.g., hot water, gas, and electricity. If they are paid by the landlord, the contract should specify the monthly cost
  • If a security deposit or a pre-payment is required and, if yes, the sum and means of payment

Upon moving in it is recommended to sign an inventory document listing the furniture, documenting the condition of the apartment and the electronic equipment, as well as the readings of the meters for water, electricity, gas etc. This document should be prepared in two copies and signed by the tenant and the landlord.

Notice that unless specified, a contract can be finished with one month's notice. Tenants may be required to pay property tax (IBI) and community fees if it's specified in the contract. Long-term tenants must take out third party insurance for a property they are renting.

Rights and Obligations for Renters in Madrid

Be aware of your rights and obligations as a tenant and your landlord's ones. The "Ley de Arrendamiento Urbano (LAU 29/1994)" is the law that rules and regulates the landlord and tenants rights and obligations in Spain.

The "LAU" differentiates the leasing of a property for housing purposes from other sorts of leases – like commercial ones.

In a residential letting, the LAU applies to the primary building claimed to be for domestic purposes when fulfils the need for a permanent home for the tenant, as well as any other land or structures connected to the property.

In case of a dispute with the Landlord

If you have a complaint regarding a long-term rental, you should report it to the local municipal consumers' information office (Oficina Municipal de Información al Consumidor/OMIC).

If they're unable to help you, they will direct you to the office where you can make a formal complaint.

A rental contract (contrato de arrendamiento) is necessary when renting any property in Spain, whether long or short term. A short-term or temporary contract (arriendo de temporada or contrato de arrendamiento de finca urbana amueblada, por temporada) is usually for holiday letting, although it can also apply to lets of up to a year and provides tenants with fewer rights than a long-term (arriendo de viviendas) contract.

When a landlord accepts a rent payment there's an implicit contract, although this is only for the period for which you have paid. You should receive a written receipt for all rental payments.

Update 8/06/2018


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Comments

 bruno@spotahome.com

30/03/2015

Easiest and safest way to rent housing online in Madrid
Hi there! If you are coming to Madrid, why don't you try www.spotahome.com ? Spotahome is an online housing rentals platform for stays of more than one month. Students and workers who move to a new city will find Spotahome very helpful. Spotahome is present in 7 cities in Italy and Spain, with more than 10,000 properties personally visited by Spotahome team members, with video tours, professional photography, floor plans and description in English. Hope to help you finding your new home! :)

 Daniel at Spain Select

08/03/2009

Apartments in Madrid for your first months in the city
Hello newcomers and Welcome to Madrid,

Finding an apartment in Madrid it takes no less than one month. For this reason many new expats (and relocation companies)stay at an Spain Select (www.spain-select.com)apartment for their initial stay (and many times more than this..). Our apartments (more than 200 to choose from) are fully furnished and equipped.

Minimum stay required is one month and there are discounts available for stays of more than 3 months (5%) and one year (10%).

Monthly rents start at 1950 euros/month (all utilities included and fully equiped). We are preferred apartment rental provider for most Madrid based Multinational corporations.

I hope this information helps.

Again, Welcome to Madrid!

Daniel
daniel@spain-select.com

www.spain-select.com



 raquelrmc

23/01/2008

Apartments to Rent Short Time in Madrid
If you are moving to Madrid and you need to find a house to live, you can stay in one apartment while you are looking for your proper house instead of staying in an hotel, which is cold and with no privacy. You can have a look at our apartments where you will feel like at home. They are fully equipped and centrally located and most of them have Internet Broadband Connection!!!. Find yours here: www.homesfortravellers.com

 Hans van den Berg

06/12/2005

Apartments in Barcelona
When I first came to Barcelona, Loco Locations helped me finding an apartment within two days. They work in a very professional way and speak about 6 languages.

If you are looking for accommodation in Barcelona or Madrid it will definitely be worthed contacting them. I think you can find all their contact details on http://www.locolocations.com

Kind regards,

Hans van den Berg
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 Morten O Dam

08/03/2005

Finding apartments, rooms in Madrid through Pisometropoli
Hi,

My name is Morten, and I have had a good experience finding a place to live in Madrid through www.pisometropoli.com

 Alvaro Ibáñez

14/05/2004

Apartments for rent in Madrid a
ApartInMadrid is a services company specialized in offering short (3 nights minimum) and mid term apartments for rent in Madrid downtown city center. These serviced apartments are the right solution if you need to rent an apartment for short terms, fully furnished, equipped with the latest electro domestics (TV, DVD, internet), kitchen facilities and all the needed services including laundry and cleaning.

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The rental prices includes taxes, all utilities (gas, eletricity, water), telephone (only inbound calls), internet access, cleaning and laundry.


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Avda. Ciudad de Barcelona 108, esc 2-4ºA
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