Spanish for renting an apartment: from the viewing to the deposit
Renting in Spain has traps similar to Brazil's, just in Spanish: gastos de comunidad on top of the rent, the type of contract that defines your rights, and the deposit. Asking the right questions at the viewing avoids a surprise of hundreds of euros a month. These 27 phrases cover everything from the viewing to getting your deposit back.
What they'll ask you
Everyone rehearses what they'll say and freezes when the clerk asks a question. These are the real questions, with audio.
Los gastos están aparte.
The fees are separate.
They can add up quite a bit each month.
La fianza es de un mes, más dos de garantía adicional.
The deposit is one month, plus two more as an additional guarantee.
Extra guarantees are common for foreigners.
Es un contrato de larga duración.
It's a long-term contract.
The most protective option for the tenant.
Es un contrato de temporada.
It's a seasonal contract.
Short term, fewer rights.
The phrases you'll use
¿El piso todavía está disponible?
Is the apartment still available?
Your first contact with the listing.
¿Puedo concertar una visita?
Can I arrange a viewing?
Scheduling the viewing.
¿Cuánto es el alquiler mensual?
How much is the monthly rent?
The opening question.
¿Los gastos de comunidad están incluidos?
Are the community fees included?
The question that avoids the most surprises.
¿Cuánto son los gastos al mes?
How much are the fees per month?
Ask for the exact figure, not an estimate.
¿La calefacción es individual o centralizada?
Is the heating individual or centralized?
Makes a big difference to the winter bill.
¿Cuánto es la fianza?
How much is the deposit?
Usually one month, sometimes more.
¿Qué tipo de contrato es?
What type of contract is it?
Defines the term and your rights.
15 more phrases in this situation
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Create a free accountThe mistake English speakers often make here
What they usually say
Estoy buscando por un piso en el centro.
The right way
Estoy buscando un piso en el centro.
English 'to look FOR something' carries its preposition everywhere, so 'buscar por' feels like the faithful translation. But Spanish 'buscar' already contains the 'for' — it takes a direct object and no preposition at all. The same trap catches 'esperar' (to wait for) and 'pedir' (to ask for): all three drop the preposition in Spanish.
If you get stuck
Three phrases that get you through any interaction. Memorize these before all the others.
¿Puede repetirlo más despacio, por favor?
Could you repeat that more slowly, please?
Perdone, no entendí. ¿Puede escribírmelo?
Sorry, I didn't understand. Could you write it down?
Hablo poco español.
I speak a little Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
- What are gastos de comunidad?
- The building's maintenance fee: cleaning, elevator, entrance hall, and upkeep of shared areas. It usually comes separate from the rent in the listing, so ask for the exact amount before signing.
- What's the difference between a contrato de larga duración and a contrato de temporada?
- The larga duración is for regular housing, with minimum terms and stronger legal protection for the tenant. The temporada is for short stays with a declared reason — temporary work, studies — and offers fewer guarantees.
- Do I need the contract for the empadronamiento?
- Yes, in most cases. The ayuntamiento usually asks for the rental contract (or the landlord's authorization) to register your address, which in turn is required for several other procedures.
- How do I rent without a guarantor in Spain?
- The most accepted alternatives are paying a few months in advance, taking out rent-default insurance, or showing an employment contract with a compatible income. Saying you just arrived is a common situation in big cities.
- How much is the deposit usually?
- One month's rent is the most common legal reference amount, but the landlord may ask for additional guarantees separately — don't call that a fianza, call it a garantía adicional, and ask the amount of each one separately.
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