One of the advantages of owning a home in Spain is that you can recover some of your investment by renting out your property to the droves of tourists that enter the country ever year. The benefits of renting out property include the additional income, the guarantee that your home is being maintained and watched over throughout the year, and the opportunity to enter the profitable tourist industry of Spain.
However, as any seasoned landlord will tell you, renting a property can easily become a source of dispute and frustration without the proper precautions. You need to be cautious. Naivete has no place in business, and more so in a situation when you won’t be personally there at the property to see what is going on. You need documentation, such as a contract, which will give legal protection.
The contracts in Spain are of two kinds: short term and long term. These serve to protect the landlord just as much as the tenant. The short term contract is called the arrienda de temporada. The long term contract is called the arrienda de vivienda.
The short term contract usually is appropriate for those who want to rent the property for a few days to several months. Only the landlord has the right to grant permission to extend the contract. The long term contract is often given to those who will stay in the property for a minimum of a year but the tenant has the option to extend it to as long as five years. For your interests you should use a short term contract because it reserves the right of extension to the owner. You definitely want that way out just in case!
The safest thing to do when preparing the contract is to hire a lawyer or a licensed expert in administration, since they can really look over the material and they can explain the clauses to you. While it is quite easy to get a set contracts from tobacconist shops in Spain and they are quite affordable, the problem is that these are written in Spanish. You wouldn’t want to sign a contract you can’t understand, right? At least a lwyer can not only explain it you but even customize the clauses according to the unique arrangements you have made with your renter.
Next, make complete list of everything that is on the property. When you rent out the place, you will go through this inventory with the new tenant. When s/he signs the contract it is clear which items must be found intact in the house even after she leaves. Make two copies of these. .
Be sure to take a deposit. Under the laws of Spain, the deposit (or fianza as it is called) usually amounts to one month’s rent for residential property and two months’ rent for commercial premises. This will be given back at the end of the stay as long as there are no debts or damage to the property.
Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Over half a billion visitors from all countries in the world flock to Spain every year. Spain receives more than 50 million visitors from across the globe each year. With such huge numbers of tourists there must be something in Spain that must be very appealing.
One of the big reasons why people love Spain is the climate. It is very sunny. And the beautiful beaches of Spain are a great place to “catch the rays” and enjoy pleasant hours swimming or enjoying a number of water sports.
The question is which of the dozens of fine sandy beaches of Spain to stay in. From the western tip of the region of Andalusia to the Mediterranean paradise of Catalonia you’ll find so many things to do and see. Others like to take trips to the Balearic and Canary Islands; which have become very popular places for holidaymakers. The northern regions are also home to many beautiful coastal areas. Since they are not as warm as the other beaches they are also less populated, perfect for those who want a little peace and privacy.
But there is more to Spain than beaches. The country has a lot to offer. Those who love hiking and picnicking will enjoy the mountainous areas. The border between Spain and France one can find the beautiful Pyrenees. In northern Spain lies the Cantabrian Mountains and the great nature reserve, the Picos de Europa National Park. In the south stands the proud peaks of Sierra Morena and Sierra Nevada. These areas offer a variety of outdoor activities including walking, climbing and skiing.
Spain is a country comprised of a number of diverse regional cultures. The Kingdom of Spain has a fascinating history which has caught the attention of scholars. There are many sites that have been the source of important archeological finds. If you’d like to experience the culture of Spain, plan a visit to the southern regions, where there are many fine examples of Moorish architecture. This design influence was a result of the Arabic conquest of Spain between the 8th – 15th centuries. You will discover many Moorish building styles in Seville (the Giralda) and Cordoba (the Mezquita). But if you are pressed for time then the best and most lauded Arabic architectural ruins are located in Granada (the Alhambra). You should also schedule a trip to its many museims such as the Prado and the Guggenheim, which house the works of Spain’s great artists Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Joan Miro.
The Costa Brava region of Spain has some of the most beautiful villas you will find in the country. These villas are a great way of spending your vacation in what has often been called a sun paradise. This ruggedly beautiful “wild coast” offers over 160 kilometres of pristine sand, stretching between the French border and Barcelona. It’s without question one of the most breathtaking coastal strips in mainland Spain, and you will discover endless miles of serene beaches and a variety of rocky coves and pine-clad cliffs.
The region’s proximity to France made it the gateway to Spain. It became a favorite holiday destination. Millions of people flocked here hoping to enjoy affordable summer holidays in the Mediterranean sunshine. Tourists began coming in en masse by car, by coach load and later on by cheap charter flights via the international airport in Barcelona..
Sleepy fishing villages quickly transformed into busy tourist resorts with luxurious high rise hotels, modern marinas and beaches teeming with sun worshippers. Despite this influx of tourists the Costa Brava has somehow been able to meet the demands of mass tourism whilst protecting the special beauty, character and charm which have been delighting the tourists for decades.
The Lloret de Mar has been dubbedthe party playground of the Costa Brava. It provides round-the-clock entertainment for those who are on the lookout for an action-packed holiday. Yet just a short trip to the inland parts of Spain and one escapes the madness of modern living to enjoy an ancient world of castles and lush green valleys filled with traditional, unspoilt villages.
If you go to the northern end of the costa you will find the famous Roses resort, just 30 kilometres south of the French border. The resort stands at one end of the dramatic bay of Roses. Inside its walls you will find a huge range of tourist entertainment as well as many well preserved historic sites and ancient monuments. If you enjoy nature you will be having a lot of fun just looking at the wealth of flora and fauna (including many unique species) that have been placed under environment protection. These are found on the outskirts of town.
If you would rather have a quiet and serene holiday away from the tourist crowds and the noise of endless partying, then head for L’Estartit. This resort is very low key and has a distinctly traditional vibe, though it has a way of attracting large numbers of day trippers during the summer months. Schedule your trip accordingly.
