Viewing flats in Barcelona

Viewing a flat anywhere in the world can be difficult but my experience has been that finding the perfect flat in Barcelona can be particularly stressful and requires a little extra work. To ensure the process goes as swimmingly as possible it’s important you know what to look out for and what questions to ask. Therefore, I have compiled a few of what I believe to be crucial questions for anyone looking to rent an apartment in Barcelona.

Is there wifi?

Whilst it sounds obvious, and is clearly a question applicable to any city, asking whether wifi is included is particularly important in Barcelona. Acquiring wifi can be a difficult and an expensive process so renting a flat with wifi will save you a lot of hassle. If wi-fi is included I would also urge you to check the speed, some wifi in Barcelona, especially from the cheaper providers can be slow meaning it’s important to check whilst you are viewing the apartment.

Is there Air-con?

At the moment, in mid-march, the weather in the city is fairly mild. Indeed, for large parts of the year air-con is not needed in Barcelona. However, in July and August, the weather can get extremely hot with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees celsius. During this period having air-con can make life a whole lot more pleasant, particularly if the flat is on the 3rd floor or higher.

Will I get all the deposit back?

Whilst this seems a silly question, it isn’t. Many landlords and agencies in Barcelona will demand a mandatory amount from any deposit for cleaning the flat. This will be deducted regardless of the state of the flat and can be as much as €100 or even €200. Obviously, if you really like an apartment then you may choose to go ahead despite the costs but it is worth asking.

Where’s the oven?

One thing people complain about when searching for a flat in Barcelona is the number of places that don’t have an oven. It may be a given in some countries, but in Barcelona there are many flats that are oven-less. Whilst you may think it would be easy to notice the lack of an oven during your viewing, you may be so used to kitchens having one that you miss its absence, so make sure you check!

Do I have to pay property tax?

This may or may not be applicable to your situation depending on whether you are renting directly from the landlord or are using an agency. If it is the latter then the majority of flats will include any potential property taxes in the rent. However, if you decide to deal directly with the owner you may be liable to pay property taxes, so it is essential that you ask this before signing anything! Not everyone will be liable to pay the same taxes depending on their circumstance, so it’s worth doing a little research yourself.

Anyone who has tried to find a flat to stay in Barcelona, especially using sites like Idealista, will tell you that the process can be dog-eat-dog. With landlords often demanding an answer quickly because of high demand, it can mean that people are often rushed into signing contracts without reading the small print. This means that it is often better to use an agency such as ShBarcelona, which from my own experience ensures the process is easy and hassle free. You are given help finding a place and all the staff speak English which helps when you need to ask those essential questions. However you find an

However you find an apartment though, make sure you take your time and don’t be afraid to ask questions!