Rent to buy in Spain: Benefits and things to bear in mind

Last updated on March 18th, 2020 at 08:28 pm.

Finding a home does not need to be a permanent decision. Rent to buy in Spain and you can try before you buy.

Congratulations! You have decided to move to Spain. Moving to another country, thinking about where to live and how to organise everything is challenging, even for the bravest. Do you have any hesitations? If so, then we have the perfect solution.

One way to ease the burden of making a final decision is the option of rent to buy in Spain. Rent to buy is a letting option whereby after renting a property for a certain period, the tenant has the option of purchasing it. Usually, the property price is determined at the beginning of the contract and the rent already paid is deducted from the final price. With similar schemes in other countries, including the UK, it is becoming a popular option for good reason.

Why would you rent to buy?

Rent to buy provides you with the opportunity to be certain about whether the place you have chosen to live is really where you want to be. This is beneficial in two ways. One is that you can make this decision without having to commit to something long term. The other is the possibility of not needing to waste money on rent, as most contracts include the deduction of rent previously paid. 

What benefits are there for the seller?

In a difficult market, it may be hard to make a quick sale. Rent to buy In Spain means that a property is not laying empty while waiting to be sold. In this way, the seller can maximise their income while increasing the possibility of a sale in the future. 

Tenants that have the option of buying the property themselves are more likely to keep the property in good condition, as they have a vested interest in its upkeep. The tenant who would be interested in buying is more likely to paint the walls, maintain good working order and keep up with payments than a tenant with no interest in living in the property long term. 

What do these contracts look like?

There are different ways that contracts have been drawn up in the past. Some arrangements have worked as if the tenant pays a mortgage to the seller after paying a substantial deposit. The seller still owns the property up until the full amount is paid. 

Another kind of rent to buy contract would be in the shape of a deferred sale. A contract of sale is drawn up with a specific time limit; 12 months or more, for instance. As well as the completion date it would include an agreed final sale price, a deposit and monthly rental amount. This rental amount would generally be higher than in traditional rental agreements.

What precautions should you take?

As with any major financial decision, there are several things to bear in mind:

• Despite the contract outlining terms, economic climates can change that affect the value of the property later down the line. This means that you could be tied into purchasing a property at higher than its market rate. However, markets may also improve in time, giving you a better deal than you had bargained for.
• This sort of arrangement could leave you vulnerable to the financial health of the seller. The seller may have mortgage payments on other property and if these are not kept up with, the bank may have to repossess your buy to let home. 
• Ensure that you make agreements with the seller about what would happen in the event that you change your mind. 
• Hiring a solicitor to help with rent to buy in Spain is an invaluable safeguard to guide you through the process and to negotiate the most favourable terms. 

A low risk investment opportunity

As an alternative to traditional renting or purchasing of a property, buy to let in Spain gives you the flexibility to be confident before making major decisions, while giving you the security of not wasting your money.