Finding an Apartment in Spain

This is Part 2 of Finding an Apartment in Spain. See Part 1 – Apartments in Spain: Before Arrival.

When You Arrive

Hopefully by the time you arrive to Spain, you will have already eliminated the places that either aren’t right for you, or are misleading. This will save you a lot of time. If you will be living in a large city like Madrid, you will need to have quite a few options on your list, because finding an apartment in the fall can be difficult. If you are in a smaller city, a smaller list will suffice. The quicker you can find an apartment, the less money you will have to spend on hostels or Airbnb.

By one week before I moved to Spain, I had narrowed down my search to just a handful of apartments. I made appointments with the girls who were currently living in them via WhatsApp. Talking to your potential roommates in advance is a good way to know if you’ll be a good fit, and save you from having to move out later. I ended up renting the first apartment I saw in Huelva, and I canceled my other appointments. The only reason I did this is because I was sure. I knew I would be happy living in that apartment, with those roommates, and at that price. Here are a few things you should look for to make sure the apartment is right for you.

Furniture

Don’t be afraid to sit on it. The sofas, your bed, the chairs. Make sure they’re sturdy and comfortable. You’ll be living there for a year. Make sure you don’t regret it.

Appliances

Don’t assume your apartment will come with things that you’re used to having back home. Many apartments don’t have ovens. This is a deal breaker for anyone hoping to save money by cooking at home. You won’t believe how many of my friends wanted to come over just to cook frozen pizzas!

Make sure your apartment has a washing machine. Having to go to the laundromat will be very inconvenient and could get quite expensive. Driers, however, aren’t common here. Check for clotheslines. If you have a balcony, you can set up a drying rack outside.

Turn on the sinks and the shower. You’re going to want to check for water pressure and to see how long it takes for the water to get hot.

Test the outlets. Bring something small that you can plug in to see if they work. You don’t want to spend a year trying to get a landlord to fix electrical problems.

Storage

Open cupboards and closets. Is there enough room? Are there plenty of dishes, plates, pots, pans, etc? You might find a nice surprise like a coffeemaker or a blender. It’s good to know what you’ll have to work with once you move in. The better stocked your apartment is, the less you will have to spend on startup costs.

Heating and Cooling

You may think it’s funny to think about heating in certain parts of the country, but it will get cold no mater where you live. Houses aren’t built to the same codes as back home, and will likely not be insulated.

My first apartment, in Huelva, Andalusia had what is called a “brasero” under the table in the living room. If you see a big table with a blanket over it, you might have one too. People sit around the tables with their legs under the blanket to keep warm.

My second apartment, in Vitoria-Gasteiz has a wood stove. I’m not even kidding.

Though tedious to learn, it’s quite economical. However, I had quite a few lazy days were I just plugged in a space heater. This year I think I’ll figure it out for real. It gives the apartment a nice, cozy feel.

When it comes to air conditioning, I’m indifferent. I didn’t grow up with it in Michigan, so I don’t really miss it here. If it matters to you, though, make sure you’ve got it. You can google the summer highs in your city to help make that decision.

You should also find out how the water is heated. Some places have built in water heaters. Others use “bombonas” or large bottles of butane that you need to replace when they run out. In Huelva, we used one every month between the three of us, but this will vary according to usage. They can cost anywhere between 12 and 16 euros, which is very low-cost when you divide it between all of the roommates.

Some people hate bombonas because of the hassle of changing them. They’re very heavy, so you either need a roommate with a car, or to call for delivery. I personally prefer them.  My current apartment has a water heater, but it’s small, so my partner and I can’t both shower in the morning without one of us getting cold water.

Location

If you are living in the same city where you’ll be teaching, plan a walk from the apartment to your school. Could you do it every day? If not, is there public transportation close by? Don’t make yourself suffer for an entire year.

Also, take a look outside to see if there are trash and recycling bins nearby. There’s not curbside collection like there is back home, but the city places bins around town. If the distance is inconvenient, you might let your trash sit around your home longer than you’d like.

Open the windows and see how much noise you get from the streets, keeping in mind that this could increase after dark. While you’ve got the windows open, look around the apartment. Does it get a lot of natural light, or will you need to use lamps during the day?

Rental Contract

Make sure you understand your contract before signing. If you don’t speak Spanish or know anyone who does that is willing to help you, it’s a good idea to ask the potential landlord for a copy of the contract before your appointment to see the place. Once they email you a copy, you can do your best to understand with Google Translate, or ask for help in one of the auxiliares Facebook groups. Here are some important things to know before signing your lease:

Who is responsible for small repairs? In my apartment in Huelva, the landlord replaced everything, even down to burned out light bulbs. In my apartment in Vitoria-Gasteiz, we are responsible for anything minor that breaks while we’re here. A door handle got loose, the landlord pulled it off and looked at it, then told us what to buy and how to fix it. This is one piece of my contract I wish I had paid more attention to.

If you need to leave early, what is the process. Do you have to find your own replacement? Will you loose your entire security deposit?

Is your security deposit being held by your landlord, or the government? If your contract is legal, the government should hold your deposit. This makes it harder for the landlord to scam you out of your deposit at the end.

There are a lot of things to consider when searching for a new apartment–especially when you’re moving abroad. Having a plan will help considerably.

What are some of your tips for finding an apartment in Spain?