The full guide
Before you go
Save the listing, note the rent and what’s included, and bring a checklist, a phone charger and a tape measure. If you can’t attend in person, ask for a live video viewing, not a pre-recorded tour, and never pay a deposit for a flat you haven’t seen.
The money
| Cost | Ask |
|---|---|
| Rent | Is it negotiable? When is it reviewed? |
| Community fees | Included in the rent, or extra? |
| Utilities | Average monthly bills for the last winter and summer |
| Internet | Is there fibre, and with which operator? |
| Deposit and guarantees | One month’s deposit, plus at most two months’ extra guarantee |
| Agency fees | Paid by the landlord on long-term homes |
Room by room
Kitchen. Test the hob, oven and extractor. Check whether the fridge, washing machine and dishwasher are included and working.
Bathroom. Run the shower for a minute to check pressure and hot water. Look for leaks under the sink and mould on the ceiling.
Bedrooms. Check the blinds (persianas), wardrobe space and street noise with the windows closed.
Everywhere. Look in corners and behind furniture for damp, a common problem in ground-floor and older flats. Count the sockets and check where the router could go.
Heat and cold
Spanish flats are built for summer. Ask what heating and air conditioning there is in each room, and which way the flat faces: south-facing flats are warmer in winter but hotter in summer. Ask for the energy certificate, which is compulsory and gives a rating from A to G.
The building and the street
Is there a lift? Is the building accessible with a pram or wheelchair? Where are the bins? Walk the street at night and at the weekend, especially near bars and terraces, and check the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, health centre and transport stop.
Questions to ask
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Can I register on the padrón here? | You need it for almost everything |
| What type of contract is it? | A habitual home contract protects you far more than a seasonal one |
| Who handles repairs? | And how quickly |
| Can I see the last bills? | To estimate running costs |
| Is the flat registered? | Seasonal and holiday lets need a registration number since July 2025 |
After the viewing
If you like it, move quickly but carefully: read before you sign a rental contract, make a dated photo inventory on move-in day, and plan your utilities.
