Free guide · Level A2
Viewing a flat to rent in Spain: what to ask about price, bills and deposit
You're inside the flat and you have ten minutes to find out what matters. It comes down to three things: what you pay each month, what that price includes and how much money you leave at the start.
Asking about the money
¿Cuánto es el alquiler?How much is the rent? The monthly rent
¿Los gastos están incluidos?Are the bills included? Electricity, water, gas and internet
¿Cuánta fianza piden?How much deposit do they ask for? The money you leave at the start
¿Cuánto suele costar la luz al mes?How much does electricity («la luz») usually cost a month? To work out the real cost
Watch out for thisAlways ask about the rent AND the bills. A €900 flat with everything included can work out cheaper than an €850 one with the bills on top.
What the «fianza» is
The fianza is the money you leave at the start of the tenancy as a guarantee. One month's rent is the usual amount. If the flat is in good condition when you leave, it's returned to you. The exact terms are in the contract: read it before you sign.
Asking about the flat
¿Está amueblado?Is it furnished? With furniture or without
¿Hay calefacción?Is there heating? «Hay» is for asking whether something exists
¿Se pueden tener mascotas?Can you keep pets? Asking permission with «se puede» or «se pueden»
Understanding the answers
They'll answer with set phrases. You don't have to build them yourself, just recognise them when you hear them.
Está todo incluido.Everything is included. The price already covers electricity, water and internet
Los gastos van aparte.The bills are extra. You pay them on top of the rent
Se entrega con muebles.It comes furnished. The flat comes with furniture
Se pide un mes de fianza.They ask for one month's deposit. You leave one month's rent as a guarantee
Watch out for thisIn English the bills «are included». In Spanish «included» describes how the price is right now, so it takes «estar»: «los gastos están incluidos», not «son incluidos». Same with «está amueblado» (it's furnished). And say «fianza», not «depósito»: «depósito» is a bank deposit or a tank.
Saying what you think
Me gusta mucho, pero es un poco pequeño.I like it a lot, but it's a bit small. An opinion with a nuance
Tengo que pensarlo.I need to think about it. To ask for time without saying no