Long term rental in Andalusia: 6 do´s and don´ts
Long term rentals: do´s and dont´s
We´ve been living in different longterm rentals for the past few years and we´ve picked up a few useful tidbits. Everything you need to find the perfect place to rent long term!
1) Don´t rent anything that is connected to or really close to the owner´s own dwelling. Even if they are the nicest people on the planet, there are bound to be things that will strain your relationship. A barking dog, domestic rows, misubnderstandings: we´ve had it all. In one of the houses we rented, the owner would go off on weekends and leave behind her dog, which would howl its way throught the night. When I brought it up she merely smiled. I guess there wasn´t much she could do about it, but it was very annoying nonetheless. Somehow it would have been easier if the dog had belonged to someone else, someone we weren´t paying quite a bit of money to.
2) Check, check and check again what is included in your rental price. First place we rented was lovely, but none of the utilities were included, so we had to find a truckload of wood to help us throught the winter and pay extra for gas, and water, etc.
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3) Haggle! These days, most owners are very happy to rent out their property, and the longer the better. It means they don´t have to worry about things freezing or falling down, as there is someone taking care of the place and they get a steady income. There is quite a bit of room for negotiation and lots of properties to choose from, so bag yourself a bargain!
4) Google earth. A picture can tell a thousand words, but it can also omit a lot. People renting out their house aren´t going to take pictures of the big smelly shed filled with donkeys next door, but it will still be there. Google maps can help, so ask for an exact address.
5) Details. I´ve never been in a rental property with a decent water cooker. I don´t know why, but there it is. Our current rental property is lovely, but it turns out it doesn´t have an oven! Which is fine if you´re here for a week or so, but as pizza lovers, we need one. Not a big deal, we´ll simply buy one, but still, it would have been so much better to check in advance!
6) Leave. If it gets really bad, don´t be afraid to leave. Of course you should discuss any trouble you have with the owner in a civilized fashion, but if all else fails, just pack your bags. It´s supposed to be fun!
May 26th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Great advices! We were in Andalusia in March last year, a friend is longterm renting there. Yes, there seems to always be something with the rental places…. Her last place there were roasters making noises all mornings and traffic all evening/nights in that narrow street, plus severe damp/moist indoors. She moved. The owners were not surprised. Her new place have already had plumber problems and is in a fiesta area….. Need I say more? *giggles*
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