Renting a room (habitación) in a shared flat as a first stop

Key rules

• Notice: Room rentals require 15 to 30 days' notice for termination.
• Deposit: The deposit is one month's rent, plus the first month in advance.
• Before paying: Pay nothing until you have seen the room; the path from booking to lease has the rule.
• Subletting: If you rent from the main tenant, the owner must consent to the subletting.

Is a room a good first stop?

Yes, if you know where to look and what terms to expect. A room costs less than a whole flat. The commitment is usually shorter and the deposit is smaller. It also gives you time to learn the city before you choose a longer-term home.

Where to look

Search several places at once, because good rooms go fast.

• Idealista is the largest and has a "habitaciones" section.
• Fotocasa, Pisos.com and Milanuncios also list rooms.
• Badi is built for rooms. It matches profiles and has chat in the app.
• Spotahome and HousingAnywhere suit mid-term stays. They check listings, but they charge fees.
• City Facebook groups, often called "Pisos y habitaciones", are useful in big cities.

Some platforms charge for premium contacts, so check before you pay to message anyone. Rooms are most plentiful in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

Typical terms

A room is let for 1 to 12 months or open-ended, and a temporary stay has a minimum of 1 to 3 months. Many landlords ask for 6 to 12 months.

Many room rentals are informal, but ask for a written contract anyway. If the room is your habitual home, the long-term rental law usually covers it; otherwise the Civil Code and your contract apply.

Deposit and first payment

Plan for two months' rent on day one: one month's deposit and the first month in advance.

You get the deposit back at the end of your stay, within one month. The landlord first checks for damage and unpaid bills. Take dated photos when you move in, and ask what can be deducted before you sign.

Avoid scams

Walk away from any landlord who is abroad and wants a deposit before a viewing. Fake listings also exist, so check that the address matches the room.

Registering your address

A room can be registered with your room contract plus the owner's or main tenant's authorization. Ask the person you rent from for a signed authorization and a copy of their ID (which stays let you register).

If you have a dog, cat or other pet

Pets in a shared flat need the consent of the landlord and the other flatmates. Agree it in writing in the contract before you sign or move in.

Documents you need

• Written room rental contract, signed by you and the person you rent from (the main tenant or the owner). It sets the term, 1 to 12 months or open-ended, and the notice period.
• Landlord's consent to subletting, if you rent from the main tenant rather than the owner.