Free guide · Level B1
Understanding a rental contract in Spain: vocabulary and key clauses
A rental contract is written in a Spanish that almost nobody speaks, so it's normal not to understand it the first time. This guide doesn't tell you what rights the law gives you, because they change, and it doesn't replace professional advice. It teaches you the words and phrases to read it and to ask questions.
The words of the contract
- →El arrendador and el arrendatario: the person who lets the home (the landlord) and the person who rents it (the tenant).
- →La renta: the money you pay every month for the rent.
- →La fianza: the money you leave at the start, as a guarantee (the deposit).
- →La prórroga: the extension of the contract when its term ends.
- →El preaviso: the advance notice that you're going to leave the home.
Watch out for this«Arrendador» and «arrendatario» look so alike that people mix them up all the time. Trick: the arrendador is the one who gives the home; the arrendatario is the one who takes it. In conversation people say «propietario» and «inquilino».
The phrases you need to recognise
El contrato tendrá una duración de un año.The contract will last one year. The future describes what is agreed
Los suministros serán por cuenta del arrendatario.Utilities will be paid by the tenant. «Por cuenta de» = that person pays
El arrendatario no podrá realizar obras sin autorización escrita.The tenant may not carry out works without written permission. «No podrá» = forbidden without permission
Deberá avisar con treinta días de antelación.They must give thirty days' notice. «Deberá» = obligation
Queda prohibido subarrendar la vivienda.Subletting the home is prohibited. «Queda prohibido» = not allowed
Watch out for thisIn English a contract says «landlord» and «tenant» (or «lessor» and «lessee»); in Spanish, «arrendador» and «arrendatario». And «podrá» is the «may» of permission, while «deberá» is the «must» of obligation.
What to ask before signing
Esta cláusula no me queda clara. ¿Me la puede explicar?This clause isn't clear to me. Can you explain it? To ask for clarification politely
Necesito que me confirmen por escrito quién paga la comunidad.I need you to confirm in writing who pays the community fees. «Necesitar que» + subjunctive: «que me confirmen»
Quiero que el contrato incluya un inventario del estado del piso.I want the contract to include an inventory of the flat's condition. «Querer que» + subjunctive: «que incluya»