Long term rentals on the Costa del Sol
Sunny Spain is the second most popular destination for British expats. It comes as no surprise therefore that so many people from across Europe and beyond make this place their main home.
Instead of buying a property, many people find it more convenient to find a long-term rental in Spain instead. Costa del Sol rentals come in many forms, from basic apartments and town houses to more luxury penthouses and large villas with private pools.
Here are a few matters you might want to address before choosing your rental home.
Where to choose your long-term rental?
Stretching from Nerja in the east through to Sotogrande in the west, the Costa del Sol is blessed with an array of stunning places making it hard to choose exactly where you want to live. Some Costa del Sol rentals are situated in typical, Spanish white villages while others are in modern sea-front urbanisations, bordering golf courses or in well-established gated communities. With so much on offer, it’s not always easy to decide exactly where to live until you get here and live the life for yourself.
The best advice is to take a look around potential neighbourhoods and make a note of the local amenities such as schools, medical services, supermarkets, golf/sports clubs, proximity to the nearest beach, town or main road etc. Do you want to be surrounded by local Spanish people or would you prefer the expat life? Do you have children and would the area provide them with enough facilities? As importantly, you will need to decide if the general “feel” of the area is in line with what you could call home.
How long will your Costa del Sol rental be?
Short-term rentals are generally considered to be around 11 months to a year long, with the possibility of renewal. Some landlords offer you a short-term rental with a verbal agreement to extend your contract but if you think you may want to stay longer, make sure you have the landlord’s agreement in writing.
Most long-term rentals on the Costa del Sol are set at a 3-year fixed term. You can then get annual renewal afterwards if you and the landlord agree. If you want to leave before the 3 years are up, you must give the landlord 2 months notice.
Long-term rental before buying on Costa del Sol
A wise move is to rent before buying, especially if you aren’t yet completely sure if you want to settle permanently on the Costa del Sol. After renting and living here for a year or two, you will be in more of a position to decide whether Spain really is for you. If you buy a property right from the start and things don’t work out, it could take untold time, stress and expense to sell up and move on.
That said, if you choose the right long-term rental property in the right location, you may never look back and end up staying in the area for good.
4YourHome finds the right rental for you
It’s important to give yourself the best chance to settle on the Costa del Sol and that means finding the right rental property to live in during the early days.
It’s no fun traipsing around numerous properties that were never right for you in the first place and then settling for just anything that will “do”. Having someone to do most of the research for you saves so much time and disappointment in the long run.
Firstly, I listen to you. I find out exactly what your likes and dislikes are and what type of lifestyle you realistically dream of having on the Costa del Sol. I also look at your family unit and all your requirements before sourcing the right type of long-term rental properties for you to view.
Ready to find your dream long-term rental?
If you’d like help to find the right Costa del Sol rental property to suit you, do get in touch for a no-obligation chat.
