Property Owners Guide to Renting in Spain
Owners Guide to Renting Property in Spain
If 
you are intent on buying to rent, and do not propose to reside there permanently, an excellent way to cover your annual costs is to consider renting your property for either long-term periods or short-term holiday rentals. A substantial income could be made on your investment.
When you first enter the business of renting property in Spain, there are obviously going to be things that worry you such as getting a good return on your investment and the prospect of having strangers constantly in your home and using your possessions.
When renting your property it can be very tempting to furnish your home as cheaply as possible. However, based on our experience, this is not a good idea. Holidaymakers expect their rental accommodation to be well equipped and comfortable. People are more likely to look after your property and belongings if they feel that you have gone out of your way to make them feel welcome and comfortable. Read the tips and tricks in our guide to renting property in Spain to make the most of your rental income.
Rental Tips
Adding the ‘Personal touches’ such as framed pictures, vases of flowers, books and ornaments will all add a homely feel to your property but should be kept on high placed shelving so as to help avoid breakages, especially when young children are visiting. However, with renting property you do have to accept that sometimes things will get broken – never leave your family heirlooms in your holiday home!
Various items such as video players, microwaves and satellite TV are regarded as essentials by today’s holiday makers standards, and this should be kept in mind when furnishing your property in preparation for renting – the quality of furnishings is reflected in the price and subsequently earnings from bookings.
Your kitchen should always be well equipped i.e – cutlery, glass, china, cooking utensils, a coffee pot, tea pot, juicer, microwave, iron and ironing board and a washing machine. Other items to consider when furnishing your rental property in Spain are a dishwasher, air conditioning, and/or ceiling and free standing fans. For year round renting, a tumble dryer and heaters or central heating – believe it or not Spanish winter nights are very cold.
An uncomfortable bed or poor quality mattress is enough to ruin anyone’s holiday, it is a must that all beds are of good quality. Just think – could I get a good nights sleep in this bed? Your bedrooms should also provide sufficient storage space in the form of wardrobes (including hangers) and drawers.
Ample linen and towels should be provided, preferably three sets so there are plenty in the event of any accidents and for your changeover cleans.
An inventory of everything contained in the property should be provided so it can be checked at the end of each rental and any necessary deductions made from the renter in the event of anything having been broken or `misplaced´.
An owners guide to the house rules should be left in a noticeable position within the rented property, it is also a good idea to leave a guest book for comments as these may help you improve the property/facilities for the next guest/season.
Area Guides and information – maps, places of interest, good eating spots, local and practical information such as where to dispose of rubbish and how everything works should be left in the rental property.
Never forget that renting your property in Spain is a business and should be treated as such. A considerable amount of work is involved and as with any business, it must be marketed successfully to guarantee a healthy return on your investment. It can be enormously rewarding financially, but also extremely hard work. Online or internet advertising is the best and most cost effective way for your Spanish property to reach a worldwide market.
Make sure you have someone reliable in Spain to look after your property and your guests. Everything should be well prepared in advance, the property cleaned and aired, and a local contact number for emergencies. If you are unable to provide this, there are many property management companies available that will undertake these services on your behalf. Don’t try and cut corners – a legal and professional company may be more expensive than Mrs Jones down the road, but if it provides you with peace of mind and a good service, it can be worth its weight in gold. If a problem occurs at the property, there will always be someone on the other end of the phone to sort it out.
Hopefully our owners guide to renting property in Spain will be of some use, but please feel free to contact us if you have any queries regarding rental management.
Category : Property News