Moving on to long-term housing

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. Follow it and you can leave temporary housing without a gap, a double payment or a lost deposit.

Start with "Timing the end of your temporary stay with your lease start". It shows how to line up check-out, notice, key date and move-in. Then read the article that fits where you are now: running the search from your base, changing the length of your stay, resetting a search that is dragging on, or checking out and getting your deposit back.

This topic does not cover how to search for and qualify for a rental, how to choose a neighbourhood, emergency shelter, or shipping and storage.

Key rules

• Buffer days: Plan a buffer of about 3 to 7 days between checking out of your temporary stay and the day you get the keys.
• Refund reply deadline: When asking for a deposit refund, give a reply deadline of 7 to 15 days, and 5 to 10 days for a final formal demand.
• Host silence: If a host has not replied to a change request after about 24 hours, follow up in a second channel and do not treat silence as agreement.
• Key date: Get the key date in writing before you change or cancel any booking.
• Agency fees: The landlord pays the agency's fees for a long-term rental, not you.
• Pay nothing early: Do not pay anything before you have seen the owner's ID and a written reservation document.

Moving on to long-term housing: the whole process, step by step

• Book your temporary base flexibly (see: Running your home search while living in temporary housing): before you arrive: book about 2 to 4 weeks with free cancellation, then extend week by week or month by month

• Start viewing flats from your base (see: Running your home search while living in temporary housing): viewings are usually offered within 1 to 7 days of contact; a full search often takes 3 to 8 weeks, and 4 to 10 weeks in Madrid, Barcelona, Palma, Málaga and Valencia

• Pay a reservation deposit only against a written document (see: Timing the end of your temporary stay with your lease start): when you choose a flat: usually about one month's rent, with amount, start date and refund conditions in writing

• Agree the lease start date and get it in writing (see: Timing the end of your temporary stay with your lease start): before signing: most leases start on the 1st of a month or within its first days; a mid-month start is usually prorated by days

• Set your check-out date and notice (see: Extending or shortening your temporary stay): as soon as the key date is firm: allow 24 to 72 hours for a platform change, 15 to 30 days for a seasonal rental or room

• Sign the lease and collect the keys: keys usually come at or just after signing, typically 3 to 14 days after agreement; you can sign remotely

• Keep a gap between check-out and keys (see: Timing the end of your temporary stay with your lease start): plan a buffer of about 3 to 7 days between checking out of your temporary stay and the day you get the keys

• If the search drags, cut costs and change tactics (see: Temporary housing is draining cash while you search: reset your plan): when your first booking is running out: ask for monthly or long-stay rates, usually available from 28 nights

• Check out cleanly and ask for your deposit back (see: Checking out of temporary housing: deposit, cleaning and final bills): on check-out day; platform stays usually release within days, tourist flats commonly 7 to 14 days, seasonal contracts often 15 to 30 days

• Chase a late deposit (see: Checking out of temporary housing: deposit, cleaning and final bills): if the deadline passes: send a written reminder, then use the platform's dispute centre or a burofax, then the consumer office or court

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• The owner's ID — Running your home search while living in temporary housing
• Padrón registration — Temporary housing is draining cash while you search: reset your plan

Income and work

• Recent payslips or a work contract — Temporary housing is draining cash while you search: reset your plan

The home and the lease

• A written lease — Timing the end of your temporary stay with your lease start, Running your home search while living in temporary housing
• Your temporary-stay contract or booking confirmation — Timing the end of your temporary stay with your lease start
• The nota simple — Running your home search while living in temporary housing

Other documents

• A written reservation document stating the amount — Running your home search while living in temporary housing

Moving on to long-term housing: questions that cross several articles

Can I sign my long-term lease before I arrive in Spain?

Yes, Electronic signatures and signing by mail are accepted, though the landlord or regional deposit body may still ask for originals. Read Timing the end of your temporary stay with your lease start to line up the dates.

Can I use a seasonal rental as my long-term home?

No, a seasonal rental is a risky choice for a long-term home, because seasonal lets sit outside the main housing protections. The contract decides notice and penalties, and early exit can cost you your deposit or months of rent. Read Checking out of temporary housing: deposit, cleaning and final bills before you sign one.

How do I avoid paying for two places at once?

Keep your temporary booking flexible and make the lease start date firm in writing before you commit to a check-out date. Read Extending or shortening your temporary stay and Timing the end of your temporary stay with your lease start.

Are there discounts if my search runs long?

Yes, Platforms let hosts offer weekly discounts from 7 nights and monthly ones from 28 nights, and aparthotels often do similar.