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

Planning to move to vibrant and charming Barcelona? Lyailya Anderzhanova, affectionately known as Layla, is your ideal real estate and relocation agent. With over a decade of experience in Spain, Layla and her team are your trusted allies for finding dream homes and adapting to the Catalan lifestyle. From finding the perfect residence to handling health insurance, Layla guides you through every step of your adaptation. We asked Layla a few questions that are probably on the minds of many people looking for a home right now.

What specific advice would you give to someone renting for the first time in Barcelona?

Consider hiring professional help to review your contract before signing.

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 you don’t feel pressured into making a long-term decision.

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

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

Check if 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 agency fees.

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

How can tenants protect themselves from possible rental scams?

Check in the Land Registry that the person renting you the flat is actually the owner.

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

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

On idealista, if the profile is “Propietario Privado” and there’s no phone number, it’s probably a scam.

The rent cap in Barcelona: how does it affect tenants? What significant changes should they be aware of?

There are attempts to regulate prices with rent control laws. However, implementing these laws is complicated and there are many legal loopholes. Honestly, this can make finding an affordable option even harder, as agents and landlords have more options than tenants. At the moment, we’re seeing some flats at good prices (below €1,500), which suggests the new law is having some effect, but if you’re an expat without a stable income in Spain, your chances of being selected are practically zero.

How does the new legislation affect existing rental contracts?

The new laws can’t affect old contracts, as across Europe new legislation is not retroactive.

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

To have a better chance of renting a flat, the applicant should prepare a detailed profile: introduce their family, explain their occupation and monthly income, and show all financial proof to support this. In addition, a reference letter from a previous landlord can be a plus. You can also suggest improvements you plan to make to the flat (for example, installing air conditioning).

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

Don’t pay in cash; always pay by bank transfer. This way, your bank can help you in case of fraud and you’ll have proof for lawyers and the police.

What are the forecasts for rental prices in the coming years?

It seems we’ve reached a peak in rental prices at the moment, but it’s always hard to be certain. Barcelona is evolving as a city, with international events like the America's Cup, the WMC and Formula 1, which attract more expats and offices. It’s logical that purchase prices are rising and rental demand is much higher than supply. The main problem is that there aren’t 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 city council 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 would rather sell the property if it’s not profitable or rent it out mid-term, which is also higher than what someone 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 Bolsa de Vivienda de Alquiler Social in 2009 and the Bolsa Joven de Vivienda. However, personally I haven’t seen these programmes in operation. One active programme, for example, was for young people aged 18 to 35, offering up to €250 a month to help with rent payments, but it ended before the pandemic and wasn’t very popular, as the requirements to participate were quite specific.

On the other hand, there are new mortgage programmes for first-time buyers aimed at young people, which is exciting, as they seem to be gaining popularity. I hope this will generate more movement in the low-cost housing segment and ease some of the pressure on the affordable rental sector.

Which are the up-and-coming but still affordable neighbourhoods in Barcelona to rent a flat? How do you find the right neighbourhood for you?

Personally, I think Horta-El Carmel and La Pau are up-and-coming areas with growing demand for sales. In my experience, the buying sector always drags the rental sector with it.

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

Quién NO needs a real estate agent to help 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 lot of experience negotiating prices and conditions to get better deals.

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

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

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