Spain: renting property
The full process in 8 steps: the taxes you pay, what each stage costs and how long it takes (~15 days on average). Free guide, no account needed.
🔑 Owner
1
Get the energy certificate (CEE)
⏱ 3-7 days · 💰 €80-250
2
Sign the rental contract (LAU)
⏱ 1 day · 💰 free
3
Deposit the fianza with the regional housing body
⏱ 30 days · 💰 1 month rent
4
Declare the rental income
⏱ annual · 💰 IRPF / IRNR
👤 Tenant
1
Check the contract and the inventory
⏱ 1-2 days · 💰 free
2
Pay the fianza and any extra guarantee
⏱ 1 day · 💰 max 3 months total
3
Put the utilities in your name
⏱ 1-2 weeks · 💰 varies
4
Claim the fianza back at the end
⏱ 1 month · 💰 free
Taxes & fees
fianza
1 month (mandatory)
extra guarantee
max 2 months
landlord income tax
IRPF 19-47% · IRNR 19% EU / 24% non-EU
agency fee
paid by the owner (Ley 12/2023)
⚠️ What costs you money if you miss it
Owner: the fianza must be lodged with the regional housing body within 30 days. Skip it and you risk a fine — and the tenant can reclaim it through the courts.
Since Ley 12/2023 the agency and contract fees are the owner’s, not the tenant’s. A tenant asked to pay them can refuse.
Tenant: no more than 3 months can be asked for in total — 1 month fianza plus at most 2 months of extra guarantee.
Owner: the energy certificate must be valid and handed to the tenant before signing, not after.
⚠️ Informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed local lawyer.
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