Looking for a little nest: how to rent a flat in Barcelona quickly and successfully?

Are you planning to move to vibrant and charming Barcelona? Lyailya Anderzhanova, affectionately known as Layla, is your ideal real estate and relocation agent. With more than a decade of experience in Spain, Layla and her team are your reliable allies in finding dream homes and adapting to the Catalan lifestyle. From finding the perfect residence to dealing with health insurance, Layla guides you through every step of your adjustment. We have asked Layla a few questions that are probably on the minds of many people who want to find their home right now.

What specific recommendations would you give someone looking to rent in Barcelona for the first time?

Consider hiring professional help to review your contract before signing it.

Never send money without having seen the flat in person at least once.

Take your time to find a good flat in Barcelona. Make sure you have a short-term option so that you do not feel pressured in your long-term decision.

What are the main aspects tenants should consider before signing a rental contract in Barcelona?

The period for which you need the flat and what the conditions are if you need to leave early.

Check whether the landlord is really the owner or has the official right to rent out the flat.

Know who pays for what: if something breaks, who covers those costs, as well as the agency fees.

Find out where your deposit goes; by law, it must be with INCASOL.

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How can tenants protect themselves from possible rental fraud?

Check with the Property Registry that the person renting you the flat really is the owner.

Sign the document first and then make the money transfer. That is the rule!

If you are not in Barcelona, ask trusted friends, colleagues or specialists to visit the flat before paying the reservation fee.

On idealista, if the profile is “Private Owner” and has no telephone number, it is probably a scam.

The rent cap in Barcelona: how does it affect tenants? What significant changes should they know about?

Attempts are being made to regulate prices with rent-control laws. However, implementing these laws is complicated and there are many legal loopholes. This, honestly, may make it even more difficult to find an affordable option, since agents and landlords have more options than tenants. At the moment, we are seeing some reasonably priced flats (below €1,500), which indicates that the new law is having some effect, but if you are an expatriate without a stable income in Spain, the chances of your application being selected are practically nil.

How does the new legislation affect existing rental contracts?

New laws cannot affect old contracts, because throughout Europe new legislation does not have retroactive effect.

Could you explain some strategies or tricks tenants can use to improve their rental experience in Barcelona?

To have more opportunities to rent a flat, the applicant should prepare a detailed profile: introduce their family, explain their occupation and how much they earn per month, and show all the financial evidence supporting that presentation. In addition, a reference letter from a previous landlord can be an advantage. You can also suggest improvements you plan to make to the flat (for example, installing air conditioning).

It is essential to have everything in writing: any conversation with the landlord or agency must be documented, whether by email or in a WhatsApp conversation, but make sure it is written down and not a voice message. This is crucial for negotiations.

Do not pay in cash; make sure it is always by bank transfer. This way, your bank will be able to help you in the event of a scam and you will have evidence for lawyers and the police.

What forecasts are there for the evolution of rental prices in the coming years?

It seems that we have reached a peak in rental prices at the moment, but it is always difficult to state anything with certainty. Barcelona is progressively evolving as a city, with international events such as the America's Cup, WMC and Formula 1, which attract more expatriates and offices. It is logical that purchase prices are rising and that rental demand is much greater than supply. The main problem is that there are not many social programmes to offer affordable housing to locals, and salaries in Barcelona are below what the rental market requires.

The solution I see is that the municipal government should create a specific niche of rental buildings aimed at those who live and work in the city, exclusively for that category of Barcelona citizens, and that it should be government-sponsored.

Beyond that, all initiatives to eliminate tourist flats and return them to the long-term rental market are not viable. Because investors who bought these properties for that purpose will prefer either to sell the property because it is not profitable or to rent it out in the medium term, which is also more than a person working in Barcelona can pay per month.

Are there incentives or support programmes for tenants in the city?

There are and have been special programmes for groups with social protection, such as the Social Rental Housing Pool in 2009 and the Youth Housing Pool. However, personally I have not seen these programmes in operation. An active programme, for example, was for young people aged 18 to 35 and offered up to €250 per month to help pay rent, but it ended before the pandemic and was not very popular, as the requirements to take part were quite specific.

On the other hand, there are new mortgage programmes for the purchase of a first home aimed at young people, which is exciting, as they appear to be gaining popularity. I hope this generates more movement in the low-cost housing segment and eases the pressure a little in the affordable rental sector.

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Which neighbourhoods in Barcelona are emerging but still affordable for renting a flat? How do you find the right neighbourhood for you?

Personally, I think Horta-El Carmel and La Pau are emerging areas with growing demand in sales. In my experience, the purchase sector always pulls the rental sector along.

These neighbourhoods are relatively safe, there are new developments and the City Council is investing in these developing areas, improving infrastructure such as schools and parks, which makes them increasingly attractive places to live.

Who does NOT need an estate agent to help them find a flat?

Those who have time to check platforms every hour for new options and to make and receive calls constantly.

People with a great deal of experience negotiating prices and conditions to get better deals.

Those who enjoy spending hours on the telephone changing water, electricity and gas providers.

People who have a broad network of contacts, such as lawyers, technicians, and moving and cleaning professionals, who make the rental and moving experience easier for them.

If you need a consultation, help renting a flat in Barcelona or relocation assistance, contact Lyailya Anderzhanova via WhatsApp: (+34) 646 987 975.