- Read and understand rental ads (anuncios de alquiler) and abbreviations
- Contact landlords and arrange viewings by phone or email
- Ask the right questions during a flat viewing
- Name rooms, features, and furniture in Spanish
- Understand contracts, deposits, and monthly costs
- Navigate flatshares (pisos compartidos) and communicate with flatmates
- Report problems and request repairs
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ArticlesIntermediate
Renting a Flat in Spanish
From reading rental ads to signing the contract - everything you need to find a home in Spain
What You'll Learn
Overview
You've decided to live in Spain or Latin America. The next step? Finding somewhere to live. Whether you're searching on Idealista, Fotocasa, or local notice boards, the rental market has its own vocabulary and customs that you need to master.
The Flat-Hunting Journey
Search
Busco un piso de alquiler en el centro
I'm looking for a rental flat in the centre
View
¿Puedo ver el piso esta semana?
Can I see the flat this week?
Sign
¿Cuánto es la fianza?
How much is the deposit?
In Spain, piso means flat/apartment. You'll hear alquiler (rent), fianza (deposit), and casero/a (landlord/landlady) constantly. In Latin America, departamento or apartamento are more common than "piso."
Structure & Formation
1. Reading Rental Ads - Anuncios de Alquiler
Spanish rental ads are full of abbreviations and specific vocabulary. Here's what you'll see on Idealista, Fotocasa, and other property websites.
| Ad Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2 hab. / 2 dormitorios | 2 bedrooms | Piso de 2 hab. en Malasaña |
| m² | square metres | 65 m², exterior |
| exterior / interior | faces street / faces courtyard | Exterior = more light and noise |
| amueblado / sin amueblar | furnished / unfurnished | Amueblado con electrodomésticos |
| gastos incluidos | bills included | Gastos incluidos en el precio |
| calefacción central / individual | central / individual heating | Calefacción individual de gas |
| ascensor | lift / elevator | Cuarto piso sin ascensor |
| plaza de garaje | parking space | Con plaza de garaje incluida |
| se admiten mascotas | pets allowed | Not always mentioned - always ask |
| fianza: 2 meses | 2 months deposit | Standard in Spain is 1-2 months |
Sample ad: "Alquiler piso 3 hab., 75 m², exterior, amueblado, calefacción central, ascensor. Zona Chamberí. 1.200 €/mes + gastos. Fianza: 2 meses."3-bedroom flat for rent, 75 m², street-facing, furnished, central heating, lift. Chamberí area. 1,200 euros/month + bills. Deposit: 2 months.
2. Contacting the Landlord - Contactar al Casero
Once you find a flat you like, you'll need to contact the landlord or estate agent. Here's a typical message template and phone phrases.
Email / Message Template
Buenos días,
He visto su anuncio del piso en [zona]. ¿Sigue disponible?
Me gustaría concertar una visita. ¿Cuándo sería posible?
Soy [nombre], trabajo en [empresa/universidad].
Muchas gracias, un saludo.
He visto su anuncio del piso en [zona]. ¿Sigue disponible?
Me gustaría concertar una visita. ¿Cuándo sería posible?
Soy [nombre], trabajo en [empresa/universidad].
Muchas gracias, un saludo.
Good morning,
I've seen your ad for the flat in [area]. Is it still available?
I'd like to arrange a viewing. When would be possible?
I'm [name], I work at [company/university].
Thank you very much, best regards.
I've seen your ad for the flat in [area]. Is it still available?
I'd like to arrange a viewing. When would be possible?
I'm [name], I work at [company/university].
Thank you very much, best regards.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Sigue disponible el piso? | Is the flat still available? |
| ¿Cuándo puedo ir a verlo? | When can I go and see it? |
| ¿Cuánto es el alquiler mensual? | How much is the monthly rent? |
| ¿Los gastos están incluidos? | Are the bills included? |
| ¿Se admiten mascotas? | Are pets allowed? |
| ¿Cuánto es la fianza? | How much is the deposit? |
| ¿Es necesario aval bancario? | Is a bank guarantee required? |
3. The Viewing - La Visita al Piso
During a viewing, you need to check the flat carefully and ask the right questions. Here's the vocabulary you'll need.
Questions to Ask
¿Cuánto tiempo lleva vacío?
How long has it been empty?
¿Funciona bien la calefacción?
Does the heating work well?
¿Hay buena presión de agua?
Is the water pressure good?
¿Cuánto se paga de comunidad?
How much are the building fees?
¿Qué tal los vecinos?
What are the neighbours like?
Things to Check
las ventanas / la luz natural
windows / natural light
los enchufes / las tomas de corriente
plug sockets / power outlets
el estado de la cocina y el baño
condition of kitchen and bathroom
la orientación (norte, sur, este, oeste)
orientation (N, S, E, W)
el ruido de la calle
street noise
4. Rooms and Features - Habitaciones y Características
Knowing the names of rooms and common features is essential for understanding ads and discussing a flat during viewings.
Rooms
el salón / el salón-comedorliving room / living-dining room
el dormitorio / la habitaciónbedroom
la cocinakitchen
el baño / el aseobathroom / toilet (small)
el pasillohallway
el balcón / la terrazabalcony / terrace
el trasterostorage room
Features & Appliances
aire acondicionadoair conditioning
calefacciónheating
lavadorawashing machine
lavavajillasdishwasher
horno / microondasoven / microwave
armarios empotradosbuilt-in wardrobes
suelo de parqué / tarimaparquet / wood flooring
5. Contracts and Deposits - Contratos y Fianzas
Understanding the financial side of renting is crucial. In Spain, rental law is governed by the Ley de Arrendamientos Urbaños (LAU), which sets rules for deposits and contracts.
| Spanish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| el contrato de alquiler | rental contract / lease | Usually 1 year minimum in Spain |
| la fianza | deposit | Legally 1 month for residential in Spain |
| el alquiler mensual | monthly rent | Paid by bank transfer (transferencia) |
| los gastos de comunidad | building maintenance fees | Shared costs for the building |
| los suministros | utilities (water, gas, electricity) | Usually paid separately |
| el aval bancario | bank guarantee | Sometimes required, especially in Madrid |
| la agencia inmobiliaria | estate agency | May charge 1 month rent as fee |
| dar de alta los suministros | set up the utilities | Transferring bills to your name |
| el inventario | inventory | List of furniture and condition |
| el preaviso | notice period | Usually 30 days to leave |
6. Flatshare - Piso Compartido
Sharing a flat is extremely common in Spain, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. A piso compartido (shared flat) has its own vocabulary and social dynamics.
Flatshare Vocabulary
el piso compartido
shared flat
el/la compañero/a de piso
flatmate / roommate
la habitación libre
available room
las zonas comunes
shared areas
las normas de convivencia
house rules
turno de limpieza
cleaning rota
Questions for Potential Flatmates
¿Cuántas personas vivís en el piso?
How many people live in the flat?
¿Están incluidos los gastos?
Are bills included?
¿Hay normas sobre visitas?
Are there rules about guests?
¿Cómo os organizáis con la limpieza?
How do you organise cleaning?
¿Cuándo me podría mudar?
When could I move in?
7. Problems and Complaints - Problemas y Quejas
Things break. Pipes leak. The heating stops working in January. Knowing how to report problems to your landlord is essential.
Hay una fuga de agua en el baño
There's a water leak in the bathroom
Plumbing
La calefacción no funciona
The heating doesn't work
Heating
Se ha roto la lavadora
The washing machine has broken
Appliances
Hay humedad en la pared del dormitorio
There's damp on the bedroom wall
Structural
La cerradura de la puerta no cierra bien
The door lock doesn't close properly
Security
No hay agua caliente
There's no hot water
Boiler
Hay una plaga de cucarachas
There's a cockroach infestation
Pests
¿Quién paga la reparación?
Who pays for the repair?
Responsibility
Examples
Flat Viewing
Casero: Bienvenido. Pase, le enseño el piso.
Landlord: Welcome. Come in, I'll show you the flat.
Inquilino: Gracias. ¡Qué luminoso! ¿A qué orientación da?
Tenant: Thanks. How bright! Which direction does it face?
Casero: Da al sur, así que tiene mucha luz todo el día.
Landlord: It faces south, so it gets lots of light all day.
Inquilino: ¿La cocina está equipada?
Tenant: Is the kitchen equipped?
Casero: Sí, tiene nevera, horno, vitrocerámica y lavadora.
Landlord: Yes, it has a fridge, oven, hob, and washing machine.
Inquilino: ¿Y los gastos? ¿Están incluidos en el alquiler?
Tenant: And the bills? Are they included in the rent?
Casero: El agua y la comunidad sí. La luz y el gas los paga el inquilino.
Landlord: Water and building fees, yes. Electricity and gas are paid by the tenant.
Flatshare Interview
Compañera: Hola, pasa. Somos tres en el piso - Ana, Marco y yo.
Flatmate: Hi, come in. There are three of us - Ana, Marco, and me.
Tú: Encantado. ¿Cuánto es la habitación?
You: Nice to meet you. How much is the room?
Compañera: 450 al mes, gastos incluidos.
Flatmate: 450 a month, bills included.
Tú: ¿Hay alguna norma sobre ruido o visitas?
You: Are there any rules about noise or guests?
Compañera: Intentamos no hacer ruido después de las once. Las visitas no son problema.
Flatmate: We try not to make noise after eleven. Guests aren't a problem.
Tú: Perfecto. ¿Cuándo podría mudarme?
You: Perfect. When could I move in?
Compañera: A partir del día uno del mes que viene.
Flatmate: From the first of next month.
Reporting a Problem
Inquilino: Buenos días, le llamo porque hay un problema con la caldera.
Tenant: Good morning, I'm calling because there's a problem with the boiler.
Casero: ¿Qué pasa exactamente?
Landlord: What's happening exactly?
Inquilino: No hay agua caliente desde ayer. La caldera hace un ruido raro y se apaga.
Tenant: There's been no hot water since yesterday. The boiler makes a strange noise and turns off.
Casero: Vale, voy a llamar al técnico. ¿Puede estar alguien en casa mañana por la mañana?
Landlord: OK, I'll call the technician. Can someone be home tomorrow morning?
Inquilino: Sí, puedo estar de 9 a 12. ¿Quién paga la reparación?
Tenant: Yes, I can be there from 9 to 12. Who pays for the repair?
Casero: La reparación de la caldera es cosa mía. No se preocupe.
Landlord: The boiler repair is my responsibility. Don't worry.
Signing the Contract
Inquilino: Antes de firmar, ¿puedo leer el contrato con calma?
Tenant: Before signing, can I read the contract carefully?
Casero: Por supuesto, tómese su tiempo.
Landlord: Of course, take your time.
Inquilino: ¿Cuál es la duración mínima del contrato?
Tenant: What is the minimum length of the contract?
Casero: Un año, renovable automáticamente hasta cinco.
Landlord: One year, automatically renewable up to five.
Inquilino: ¿Y si necesito irme antes? ¿Cuánto preaviso necesito?
Tenant: And if I need to leave early? How much notice do I need?
Casero: A partir de seis meses puede irse con 30 días de preaviso.
Landlord: After six months you can leave with 30 days' notice.
Common Mistakes
Common Rental Mistakes
Wrong (in Spain): Quiero rentar un piso
Correct: Quiero alquilar un piso
"Rentar" is used in Mexico and some Latin American countries. In Spain, always use "alquilar."
Wrong (in Spain): El apartamento
Correct: El piso (Spain) / El departamento (Latin America)
In Spain, a flat is "un piso." "Apartamento" exists but usually means a smaller, holiday-type unit.
Wrong (in Spain): Necesito un depósito
Correct: Necesito pagar la fianza
"Depósito" is understood, but "fianza" is the standard legal term for a rental deposit in Spain.
Wrong (in Spain): Mi roommate
Correct: Mi compañero/a de piso
Don't borrow from English. "Compañero/a de piso" is the standard term (or "compañero/a de cuarto" for a room).
Wrong (in Spain): La renta es 800 euros
Correct: El alquiler es de 800 euros
In Spain, "la renta" refers to income (tax). Use "el alquiler" for rent. In Mexico, "la renta" does mean rent.
Spain vs Latin America - Key Differences
Spain:
- piso (flat)
- alquilar (to rent)
- el alquiler (the rent)
- la fianza (deposit)
- el casero (landlord)
Latin America:
- departamento / apartamento (flat)
- rentar (to rent) - Mexico
- la renta (the rent) - Mexico
- el depósito (deposit)
- el dueño / el arrendador (landlord)
Practical Tips for Renting in Spain
- Always get a written contract - verbal agreements are risky
- Take photos of everything before moving in (document existing damage)
- The legal deposit limit is one month's rent (landlords sometimes ask for more)
- Ask if you need an aval bancario (bank guarantee) - this is increasingly common
- Register your empadronamiento (local council registration) at your new address
Quick Test
Test your rental Spanish - can you read ads, ask the right questions, and handle problems?
1. What does 'piso amueblado' mean in a rental ad?
2. How do you ask 'Is the flat still available?'
3. What is 'la fianza' in the context of renting?
4. You're looking at a flatshare. How do you ask 'How do you organise cleaning?'
5. What does 'exterior' mean in a Spanish property listing?
6. How do you report 'The heating doesn't work' to your landlord?
7. In Spain, what is the correct word for 'rent' (the monthly payment)?
8. What does 'dar de alta los suministros' mean?
9. A flatshare ad says 'busco compañero/a de piso.' What does this mean?
Useful Resources
Coming soon...