If you are thinking ting an apartment in Spain, one question that often comes up is how much commission, or rental fee, is required. The answer to this question depends on the circumstances of the rental, and there are a few different scenarios to consider.
First, if the tenant rents directly from the owner, there is typically no rental fee.
The most common scenario, however, is that the tenant finds a property advertised by a realtor. In Spain, realtors are not regulated, so there is no established or specific fee that they are required to charge. The most common fee is one month’s rent plus Spanish VAT (21%). For example, if the rent for an apartment is 800€, the fee would be €800 plus €168 VAT, or €968. Also, the fee is almost always charged to the tenant, as opposed to other countries like the UK.
In most cases, the realtor will make the tenant sign a small contract stating the realtor’s fee before showing the property. It’s important to note that rental and contract fees are non-refundable.
Last but not least, if the tenant rents from a property manager or a company, there is the possibility of an additional rental fee, also known as a “contract fee.” The amount of this fee can vary, but it is typically less than a month’s rent. For example, it might be €100 plus 21% Spanish VAT.
How can I recognise listings that are rented directly from owners?
Usually you will find two categories: Profesional or Particular, being the latter the rentals directly from the owner.
In many occasions, realtors do not have the exclusivity to commercialize a specific property, therefore you may find several ads for the same property. Sometimes, the owner may rent directly (without commission) and also allow realtors to publish his or her property (charging a commission) at the same time.
Realtors in Spain have to get properties the old way in increase their portfolio. It does not work like in the US, where realtors use a MLS (Multiple Listing Service), a database that US real estate agents use to list properties and share them with other agents, in order to find buyers and sellers more efficiently. Realtors in Spain will have smaller portfolios, as there is no common database between them.
How can I find owners renting directly their properties and avoid realtors’ commissions?
You can use the web portals’ filters, and search only “particulares”.
Additionally, if you find a property that you like but it is advertised by a realtor, you could use the map feature to search for other properties in the same area with similar prices and compare listings. It is not uncommon to find the same property advertised directly by the owner.
You can also use image recognition technology provided by Google Images search. Once you download images of a listing from a web portal or take a screenshot if downloading is not possible, you can then search for similar or identical images using this tool. It may reveal similar listings on other portals that have been published directly by the owners.
It’s also worth noting that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Facebook groups dedicated to property rentals for specific cities or areas. Direct owners often advertise on these groups as well. Here’s an example for Málaga rentals.
Another option, less reliant on technology, would be asking friends, family, or colleagues if they know of any apartments available for rent. This can be an effective way to find a place without having to pay any commission.
Which are the most common real estate portals?
- idealista.com
- fotocasa.es
- pisos.com
- yaencontre.com
- spotahome.com (like airbnb but for mid-term rentals)
- segundamano.es
- inmofactory.com
- milanuncios.com
- tucasa.com
- inmuebles24.com
These are some of the most popular real estate web portals in Spain. There might be other local or regional websites that you can use depending on the location you are interested in.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to renting an apartment in Spain, it is important to be aware of the potential commission or rental fees that may be required. While there are some scenarios in which no fee is required, such as renting directly from the owner, it is more common for a fee to be charged by a realtor. These fees can vary, but typically involve one month’s rent plus Spanish VAT.
To avoid paying commissions to realtors, there are a number of strategies that can be employed. These include using web portals to search for listings advertised directly by owners, using image recognition technology to find similar listings on other portals, and networking with friends, family, and colleagues to find available rentals. Additionally, using the map feature on real estate portals to look for similar properties in the same area, and checking out local classifieds such as segundamano.es, milanuncios.com and tucasa.com can also be an effective way to find rentals without having to pay commissions.
It is important to note that rental and contract fees are typically non-refundable, and that it is crucial to be informed about the rules and regulations of the rental market in Spain before signing any contract. Some of the most popular web portals are idealista.com, fotocasa.es, pisos.com, and yaencontre.com, but there might be other local or regional websites that you can use depending on the location you are interested in. Keep in mind that finding a rental property in Spain can be a little tricky, but with some research and persistence, you can find the perfect place for you without having to pay unnecessary commission fees.
