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Renting a property can be a complicated and costly task. One of the aspects that often generates doubts and confusion is the fees of the real estate agency. Who should pay them? How are the expenses established? These are frequently asked questions that arise both in long-term rentals and in seasonal rentals. In this article, we will explore the details of the fees in both cases and offer tips to avoid misunderstandings in their payment.
The question of who should pay the fees in the rental of habitual housing is one of the most frequent doubts among tenants. According to Spanish law (Law 12/2023, of May 24, on the right to housing), these fees must be paid by the property owner to the real estate agency, as it is considered that the effective client of the real estate agency is the owner.
While in rental contracts for habitual housing (considering that habitual housing is where the vast majority of people have their residence and exercise the intimacy of their personal and family life), in the following types of contracts and types of properties, these fees can be freely agreed upon by the real estate agency, landlord, and tenant, these types of contracts and properties are:
- Housing leases not subject to the urban lease law.
- Seasonal housing rentals.
- Rentals for a use other than housing, such as an office or a workspace.
- Temporary housing assignments. "These costs can also be passed on to tenants in temporary assignments of the use of the properties, through the legal figures of temporary usufruct and surface rights," explains the expert.
- Luxury housing rentals. These are leases whose area exceeds 300 square meters built. Also those "whose rent exceeds 5.5 times the minimum interprofessional wage".
- Rentals whose payment by the tenant "would obey a consideration of successive performance over time, for the offering by real estate agencies of a series of additional services for carrying out, during the duration of the rental, their complete administration, benefiting from the services offered," clarifies.
To avoid misunderstandings in the payment of fees in rental agreements, it is advisable to follow some tips. First, it is important for tenants to inform themselves in advance about the real estate agency's fees before signing the rental contract. This way, unpleasant surprises are avoided and the conditions are clearly established. Additionally, it is important to establish any additional fees, if any, to avoid later confusion. It is recommended that tenants request a detailed breakdown of the real estate agency's fees before making any payment.
