Temporary rentals

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In this article, we will discuss temporary rentals, based on the legislation and jurisprudence of Spain. It is a challenge for us to make this publication, but given the numerous inquiries we have received in our real estate agency, we have been encouraged to write this post.

How to define what a temporary rental contract is?

The temporary rental contract is a contract in which the tenant decides to use a property for purposes other than their habitual residence. The objective of the temporary lease is not to establish a permanent residence but to have a place for a specific period or a temporary need.

Según el artículo 3.2 de la LAU, estos contratos se refieren a «propiedades arrendadas por temporada, ya sea para vacaciones, para llevar a cabo actividades industriales, comerciales, profesionales o recreativas».

What is the regulation of temporary contracts?

The regulation of temporary housing contracts in Spain is minimal, but it does make clear what the motivation for entering into such a contract must be. For a seasonal contract to be established, there must be a prior justification of the temporality or limitation of use over time by the tenant.

In another entry of our blog, we have written about the 11-month contracts, those that on some occasions the landlord mistakenly believes do not obligate him to the extensions established in the LAU, but this is not the case.

Returning to the topic that brings us to today's writing, temporary contracts must always have justification for the tenant's temporary use, so that it can be established in accordance with the law. The clearest and most common examples of this type of contract are those aimed at the tenant's stay during the duration of their work, vacations, or studies. Therefore, it will never be to satisfy the permanent housing needs of the tenant.

It is worth noting that temporary contracts are not governed by the same provisions as those for permanent housing contracts. In the case we are discussing today, temporary contracts are governed by what both parties freely agree upon (what the contract clauses establish), as provided in Title III of the aforementioned LAU and, subsidiarily, by the Civil Code.

We mention Catalonia, as it approved a law that came into force to regulate the prices of temporary rentals and rooms, called the Urgent Measures Decree on housing. This Decree came into force on April 26, 2024. However, the price regulation in this Law does not affect those rentals that have leisure, vacation, or recreational purposes.

Generally, a temporary rental contract is signed due to a change of city, where tenants need the property for studies, vacations, work, etc. The duration of this type of contract usually ranges from 32 days to 11 months, but the duration of the contract can be extended depending on the conditions and justification of the tenant's temporality.

It is important to know the different categories of rental contracts to avoid confusion. In addition to the temporary rental contract, there are two other main types: the tourist rental contract and the habitual rental contract. The habitual rental contract applies to properties intended to be permanent residences, where tenants seek to settle and establish a life in the property.

In conclusion, a temporary rental contract is a solution to meet short-term housing needs for a tenant. Temporary rental contract: A contract to meet the need for accommodation for a specific period, whether for months or even years.

Tourist rental contract: A short-term contract that can extend up to a few weeks, offering accommodation services in homes.

Characteristics of a temporary rental contract In a temporary rental contract, it is made clear that the property cannot be used as a habitual or permanent residence.

The start and end dates of the contract must be specified, and the end date must have a justification. Once the contract ends, no prior notice will be required, as it will be automatically terminated. It is necessary to include a payment guarantee in a temporary rental contract, which must be equivalent to two rental periods as established in Article 36 of the Urban Leasing Law. This amount must be deposited in the corresponding public office of the Autonomous Community where the property is located, in the case of Andalusia in AVRA (The Housing and Rehabilitation Agency of Andalusia). This guarantees payment for damages or defects in the property and compliance with obligations by the tenant, but it should be noted that the deposit is not a payment method for the tenant, for example, to cover the last month's rent.

Seasonal rental contracts. Essential clauses

Essential clauses of a temporary rental contract for the season.

Clause 1: The reason for the temporary stay must be detailed, specifying the activities that the tenant will carry out during that period, whether work, studies, or others.

Clause 2: The exact duration of the contract will be established, indicating the start and end dates. Clause 3: The monthly rent, payment method, and payment deadline will be agreed upon and detailed in this clause. Clause 4: A detailed inventory of the items and furniture included in the lease will be included. This inventory will be signed and attached to the contract by both parties.

Clause 5: In case the tenant must bear the community expenses, the monthly amount will be specified in this clause.

Clause 6: The conditions and economic penalties in case of termination or breach of the contract will be established, including the return of the keys at the end of the agreed period.

Clause 7: The amount of the deposit provided by the tenant will be indicated. In addition, additional clauses may be added as necessary, such as the maximum number of occupants allowed, the acceptance of pets, or whether expenses are included or not.

El contrato puede finalizar anticipadamente por incumplimiento, debido a diversas razones: – No pagar la renta correspondiente. – Realizar actividades molestas, nocivas o peligrosas para otros inquilinos o vecinos. – Causar daños al inmueble. – Realizar modificaciones sin el consentimiento del propietario. Si se produce un incumplimiento en el contrato de alquiler temporal, es importante tener presente lo estipulado en el contrato firmado. Entre las cláusulas a considerar, se encuentra aquella que especifica las condiciones de rescisión o anulación del contrato, incluyendo las posibles sanciones económicas por incumplimiento. Es importante destacar que los inquilinos pueden dar por terminado contratos de alquiler de vivienda pasados los 6 meses, siempre y cuando paguen una penalización. Sin embargo, en el caso de los contratos de alquiler temporal, las disposiciones establecidas por ambas partes se aplican. Contrato de alquiler de temporada Preguntas frecuentes ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre alquiler turístico y de temporada? La principal diferencia radica en la duración del contrato. El alquiler de temporada normalmente tiene una duración de 32 días a 11 meses, mientras que el alquiler turístico no puede exceder los 31 días. Además, el contrato de alquiler turístico debe ser exclusivamente utilizado para fines vacacionales, como su nombre implica. Por ende, es común que esté amueblado y ofrezca servicios hoteleros para este propósito. En contraste, los contratos de alquiler a largo plazo pueden tener una finalidad distinta, como motivos laborales o de estudio. ¿Es posible extender un contrato de alquiler a largo plazo? Las extensiones y las condiciones para ejercerlas se pueden acordar libremente entre ambas partes. Por ejemplo, se pueden establecer prórrogas de 6 meses, 1 año, etc. Lo importante es justificar la temporalidad del contrato (trabajo, estudios, etc.) para dejar claro que no es la residencia habitual. Si no se cumple esto, el contrato pasaría a ser considerado de alquiler de vivienda habitual, con el consecuente derecho del inquilino a esperar al quinto año del contrato. ¿Puedo empadronarme con un contrato de alquiler a largo plazo? Dado que no se trata de una vivienda habitual, los inquilinos no pueden empadronarse en una vivienda con un contrato de alquiler a largo plazo. Los arrendatarios deben mantener su empadronamiento en su residencia principal. ¿Cómo redactar un contrato de alquiler a largo plazo entre particulares? Los contratos de alquiler de vivienda temporal brindan a ambas partes una mayor flexibilidad para establecer la duración y las cláusulas que consideren pertinentes. Es importante destacar que en España no se requiere que estos contratos se realicen ante notario, por lo que si se redactan correctamente en un folio y se firman, tienen plena validez legal. ¿Cómo se registra un contrato de alquiler de vivienda temporal? El registro de un contrato de alquiler de vivienda temporal es opcional y declarativo, lo que significa que no es obligatorio registrarlo ni llevarlo a una notaría. No existen sanciones por no hacerlo. El registro recae en las partes involucradas y puede ofrecer beneficios para ambas, como brindar seguridad en la venta de la propiedad o en el pago de las cuotas de alquiler. Si se decide registrar el contrato, se debe presentar en el Registro de la Propiedad correspondiente después de haber pagado los impuestos y tasas correspondientes. ¿Cómo se finaliza un contrato de alquiler de temporada? Si se desea dar por terminado un contrato de alquiler de temporada antes de tiempo, es necesario notificar al arrendador con al menos 30 días de anticipación. ¿Cuál es la duración mínima de un contrato de alquiler de temporada?.

Currently, the legislation is silent regarding the minimum duration that a contract for use other than housing must have, and whose purpose is a temporary rental. The duration will depend on the purpose of the rental and what both the landlord and tenant agree upon. However, to give you a general idea, it usually ranges from a minimum of 32 days to a maximum extension of 11 months.