Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
“Why are landlords in Spain doing 11-month contracts?”
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“Take your 11-month contract to your agent, and set fire to it. It is not worth the paper it’s written on. It’s illegal. You need to be issued a 5-year contract. Agencies breaking the law need to be reported. The legal rent increase is only 3% per year, not more.”
“The 11-month contract is legal for tenants not using the property as a permanent home. It’s a temporary seasonal agreement. If renewed, it becomes 3 years for small landlords and 5 years for large landlords.”
“It’s because a contract over 12 months means the landlord must pay the agency fees. A contract less than 12 months means the tenant pays the fees. More turnover equals more fees for the agent, and the landlord avoids paying.”
“11-month contracts are used to avoid the rules protecting tenants with long-term leases. They allow landlords to avoid giving tenants long-term rental rights and avoid the 3% cap on rent increases.”
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Explore Cities →“Because landlords in Spain think it gives them an advantage when it comes to the law relating to rental contracts. It’s a myth that 11-month contracts let landlords avoid the Urban Lease Law. The key question is whether the tenant uses the property as a main home or for holiday/temporary/student purposes.”
Conclusion
The use of 11-month contracts in Spain is often seen as a way for landlords to avoid long-term rental protections and increase rental income.
While some argue that these contracts are legal for temporary or seasonal use, many tenants find them problematic, as they can lead to higher rents and less security.
It’s important to know your rights as a tenant and, if necessary, seek legal advice to ensure you’re not being taken advantage of by landlords or agencies.
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