Before transferring a reservation payment or signing a tenancy agreement, collect the complete draft, the advert and a payment breakdown. Reading them together helps identify differences between the offer and the proposed agreement. This guide helps you prepare that review.
Identify the property, the parties and the intended use
Check the address, included spaces and who signs as landlord or representative. Ask how that person is connected with the property and retain the documents provided. If several tenants will sign, clarify each person’s obligations.
Explain how you intend to use the home. The LAU distinguishes residential tenancies from other uses; the applicable rules require checking the actual circumstances, not just the contract’s heading.
BOE · Ley of Arrendamientos Urbanos
List every payment before sending money
Separate rent, the statutory deposit, any additional security, utilities and other charges. Ask for each payment’s purpose, recipient and receipt. For a reservation payment, clarify in writing what happens if the transaction does not proceed.
For a residential tenancy governed by the LAU, the statutory deposit is one month’s rent. Keep it separate from other proposed payments and check the agreement’s terms and date.
BOE · Ley of Arrendamientos Urbanos
Check dates, notices and unclear clauses
Mark the start date, agreed duration, notice requirements, rent-review wording and departure conditions. Obtain every referenced annex. Important verbal explanations should be reflected in the version you sign.
The Community of Madrid’s rental guide offers a practical framework for organising documents. Regional and local requirements need checking where the property is located.
Comunidad of Madrid · El proceso of alquiler of vivienda
Record the condition when the property is handed over
Prepare an inventory of furniture and equipment. Record room condition, dated photographs, meter readings and the number of keys. Ask for observed defects to be included in the handover document.
Your checklist before signing
- The complete agreement and annexes in the agreed version.
- The parties’ identities and any representative’s authority.
- A payment breakdown, purposes and receipts.
- Inventory, property condition and key handover.
- Specific questions about costs, repairs or departure.
Frequently asked questions
Does this guide also cover seasonal rentals?
The document checklist is useful, but do not assume the same legal regime applies. Explain the actual use and request a specific review.
What if the advert and agreement differ?
Identify each difference and ask for a written answer before committing. Keep the advert and communications.
What should an initial enquiry include?
The general location, intended use, proposed signing date and unclear clauses. Do not attach confidential documents to the initial form.
Official sources consulted
General information to help prepare an enquiry. Applicable rules depend on the agreement, dates and circumstances. Sources checked on 31 October 2026.