The rental housing market has become more flexible over the past few years, and alongside long-term rentals, other forms of leasing such as seasonal and tourist rentals have emerged. In this article, we aim to analyse short-term rentals in Barcelona, how they differ from other types of rentals, the benefits they offer to landlords and tenants, and the best areas for this type of leasing.
In previous articles, we have discussed the Short-Term Rental Law that affects this type of rental.
What is a short-term rental?
The first thing we need to clarify is the concept of short-term rental. For this, we need to analyse the Urban Leasing Law, which establishes the following:
– Residential rental: This is a lease of a habitable building intended primarily to meet the permanent housing needs of the tenant.
– Seasonal rental: This refers to leases for urban properties for a specific season, whether summer or any other season.
– Tourist rental: The temporary transfer of the use of a fully furnished and equipped dwelling, ready for immediate use, marketed or promoted through tourism channels or any other form of promotion, and carried out for profit, is excluded from the Urban Leasing Law when it is subject to a specific regime derived from its tourism sector regulations.
Therefore, short-term rentals are not intended for permanent use; their duration is limited and typically lasts between one month and one year.
When is a short-term rental used?
Seasonal rentals are typically used in various scenarios. The most common are:
– Students who need to relocate for an academic year.
– Families or individuals who want to rent a home for a season, whether summer, winter, or any other time of year.
– Freelancers or digital nomads spending a period in a city.
– Employees, both local and international, who are temporarily relocated to work in another city.
– People who need to live in a city temporarily for a medical treatment they wish to receive.
A short-term rental must have a specific purpose that must be detailed in the rental agreement.
Best areas for short-term rentals in Barcelona
The best area for a short-term rental in Barcelona depends on each case. Let’s analyse the most common ones:
Digital nomads
They tend to look for areas with good internet connectivity, central locations, good transport links, and access to coworking spaces.
One of the best options is the Born neighbourhood. It features medieval streets, a vibrant cultural scene, and several coworking spaces. It is usually a more expensive area but offers significant advantages such as excellent transport links and a wide variety of leisure options.
Another great option for this type of worker is Poble Nou, which is the hub of technology and startups in Barcelona.
Relocated employees
The Born is also a good alternative in this case, as is the Gràcia neighbourhood. This is a quieter area resembling a small village but still close to the city centre. It offers a range of restaurants, entertainment options, and excellent public transport connections.
Students
One of the most notable areas for students in Barcelona is Les Corts, due to its proximity to the University of Barcelona. Another option is the Sarriá-Sant Gervasi neighbourhood, a peaceful area with shops and bars. Finally, for those who prefer a location near the beach, Ciutat Vella is a great choice, offering proximity to the coast and a significant cultural scene.
Advantages for landlords and tenants
Temporary rentals in Barcelona offer various advantages for both landlords and tenants. Let’s take a look at them below:
Benefits for landlords
– Pricing flexibility. Rental prices can be adjusted based on the season (high, low, or medium).
– Variety of tenants. Access to different types of temporary tenants: students, displaced workers, or digital nomads.
– Increased income. The profitability of this type of rental is often higher than that of long-term rentals.
Benefits for tenants
– Properties tailored to their needs. Tenants have the opportunity to access different types of properties based on their requirements.
– Temporal flexibility. There is no need to sign a long-term contract, and the duration is also adapted to the tenant’s needs.
Basic clauses of a temporary rental agreement
When it comes to a temporary rental agreement, it is important to seek the assistance of expert real estate law consultants to ensure it is clearly defined as this type of rental.
The first thing to include is the parties’ details: landlord and tenant. Specifically: name, surname, address, and ID number.
The most important clauses to include are as follows:
– Subject. The rental property must be described, including its exact address, layout, and whether it is rented furnished and equipped with appliances. It is advisable to create an inventory and attach it to the contract. A floor plan and photographs can also be included to document the property’s condition.
– Cause. This is one of the most significant elements as it differentiates it from a long-term rental. It is important to define the purpose of the rental: accommodation for a student during the academic year from month X to month X, or accommodation for a displaced worker from month X to month X.
– Duration. This is another crucial aspect as temporality, along with the cause, is what distinguishes this type of rental.
– Price and payment method. The rent amount and payment method must be specified.
– Utility expenses. It is important to define who is responsible for paying the utilities (electricity, water, and gas) and whether they are included in the rent or not.
– Deposit. This is the amount of money the tenant provides as a guarantee for fulfilling their contractual obligations (particularly rent payment).
– Non-compliance. It can specify what happens in case of non-compliance by either party and its consequences.
The contract must be signed by both parties in duplicate so that each party has a copy. Although it may seem obvious, it is essential to read everything before signing and ensure the content matches what was agreed upon. If there are doubts, they should be resolved before signing to avoid conflicts in the future.
If you own a property and want to rent it temporarily to students, digital nomads, or other types of tenants, contact us so we can advise you on the best areas for temporary rentals in Barcelona based on your needs. If you are looking for temporary accommodation, we can also help you find the most suitable option.
