Renting a home in Lanzarote

As a long and a short term option renting a property in Lanzarote has many plus points.

For the new resident to the island it is advisable. Many people arrive feeling confident that they know where they want to be and what they want in a property. This can change dramatically a few months or even weeks down the line, to commit to a hefty purchase during the very early stages of your Lanzarote life could prove to be a costly mistake.

Rental terms can run from three months to a year on a standard rental, these can be renewed and an annual contract legally speaking can be renewed for up to five years automatically provided the terms of the contract are met.  Most opt for six or twelve
months but three can be useful to new arrivals.

For those thinking of arranging a long term rental before arriving here and without viewing I would strongly advise against it, committing to a large amount of money and possibly a long time in a house that on arrival turns out to be unsuitable would be a dreadful start to life on the island. As frustrating as it may be I would always recommend that a short let be arranged in holiday accommodation first and then devote some time to viewing with all of the decision makers together. A long term rental is not the same as a short holiday let and you are expected to honour the term you sign for, it’s far better to take the time and get it right.

As a long term option renting has its benefits, those who want to keep their property in the UK or Ireland for example but want to come and live here, there is only one mortgage to worry about, only one house to maintain and the luxury of knowing that should you need to return for any reason you can remove the expense of running two properties provided you give notice. For those not in a position to buy, renting gives you the option to have that villa in the sun for about the same price as a very standard rental house in the UK.

It is relatively easy to rent a house in Lanzarote, you are not normally asked for references or experian reports, some landlords will ask for proof that you are employed though.  The standard is a deposit of usually one (sometimes two) months rent and the first months rent.  The contracts will be in Spanish and you should ask that it is translated, usually they are a standard agreement with little to worry about but it’s always in your interest to understand what you are signing, you wouldn’t dream of doing this in your own country, so please exercise the same caution here!

The finders / admin fee is the one thing that you will find different in Lanzarote. Many feel this is a large amount of money for very little, but there are benefits to working with an agency and having their support during your tenancy.  They can provide a useful buffer between the tenant and landlord and should offer support for the entire tenancy and be on hand to deal with any issues with utilities and phones etc as well as being an emergency contact.

This charge does differ from agent to agent; some do not charge this at all but may not be on hand to help if you have a problem. The best advice here is to always check if there is a fee, how much it will be and what it actually gives you. Make sure you can check out the agency offices and that they are a legitimate enterprise.

If you are going to rent directly with a landlord then please make sure you get the proposed contract checked out and ensure you have their full contact details and NIE or DNI number. Always ask for a contract however tempting a casual agreement is, you have no rights as a tenant without this document and you will be unable to register for an NIE number or empadronado without it.  It is never a good idea to rent in such an insecure way however tempting.

There is almost every type of property available to rent in Lanzarote, from tiny studios on holiday complexes to large rural properties and businesses, the rural areas tend to be cheaper but more basic. The difference between a Canarian owned rental property and an English one can quite large. An English owned property is likely to offer many more mod cons and familiar home comforts but is usually more expensive. Unfurnished properties are not the norm here, so do ask if furniture can be stored or removed if you have your own.

Pets – again always ask if pets are allowed, many landlords specify they do not want animals but may re consider in some cases. People with dogs especially may be asked to pay a higher deposit and will find their options limited. But do not lose heart there are dog friendly landlords out there. It is tempting to not ask about animals and to just move in with them, a breach of contract is a serious issue and should never be taken lightly.

To sum up, for an island as small as Lanzarote it there is no shortage of long term rentals, and no shortage of agencies and landlords, take your decision making seriously, but don’t feel pressurized, there are many options out there so take your time and enjoy the right house when you find it.

Our thanks to Nicola for donating this article. 

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