Rental Agreements: Unmasked.
The real estate market in Barcelona is very complex and it sometimes might be a tiring and frustrating process especially when you are not familiar with the city, language and culture.
Since our aim is to make your life easier, here you have several recommendations you might want to consider before signing a rental agreement. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Read the rental contract carefully.
Even if it might sound obvious, it is quite a common mistake not the read the lease agreement attentively. If you want to avoid the pressure of having to read it in front of the owner, you can always ask them to send you a draft. Each clause counts and you need to fully understand them all.
If it is not written, it doesn't exist.
If the landlord promises you something verbally but it isn’t established in the rental agreement, you have no guarantee that they will stick to the deal. Written agreements are always better than verbal ones.
Check the expenses and who has to bear with them.
Don’t agree to pay for expenses that you shouldn’t. For that, check what expenses are owed to the tenant and what expenses are owed to the landlord.
Write a list of all the defects of the property.
You can include it as an annex to the contract so you can proof that these defects are not attributable to you.
Take into consideration the deposit aspect.
As a tenant you will have to pay a deposit, to protect the landlord in case of late rent or damage to the property during your stay. Deposits usually amount to around one month’s rent. Also, make sure the full amount is protected for the whole time you live there.
Check for any agreed repairs you want your landlord to do.
And do it before/as soon as you move in, such as a washing machine or fridge replacement, etc.
If you are about to sign the contract of your dream home and you have some doubts left, hit us up and we will solve them!
Your friends. Also, your lawyers.