Students, take note: these are your rights and responsibilities when renting an apartment

The new academic year is just beginning and thousands of university students are travelling to the big city to resume their studies. Many of them choose to live in rented flats instead of halls of residence, but this decision brings obligations with it as well as rights.

For example, you can negotiate the rent and recover the deposit when you leave, but it’s an absolute must to leave the house in good condition. And that’s only the start! Today, the portal reclamador.es helps idealista/news run down everything you have to remember about living in a student flat:

The five basic rights a tenant has

1. Negotiate the rent and the duration of the contract: According to the newly reformed Spanish Urban Leasing Law (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos), you can terminate your rental contract 6 months after signing, even if you sign for a year, as long as you inform the landlord at least 30 days in advance. At the same time, it’s possible to extend the lease annually for three years, unless the landlord (or their spouse or first-degree relatives by blood) needs the property to live there permanently, in which case they can kick you out.

2. First in line to buy the flat: As tenant, you will have preference when buying the property if the landlord decides to put it up for sale. However, they may also put a clause in the rental contract expressing the exclusion of this rule.

3. Ask the landlord to do repair work: As a tenant, you also have the right to ask the landlord to repair whatever is needs fixing for the dwelling to be kept habitable. But beware: the owner will not be liable for damage resulting from daily use of the home, nor for breakage caused by misuse.

4. Report the landlord if they enter the home without permission: This point is especially important, because the owner of the apartment can only enter if they have your express permission. If they break this rule and come barging in without asking, you may report them for violating your privacy.

5. Get your deposit back when leaving the property: As long as the house is in good condition and there are no outstanding payments left, tenants have the right to recover their deposit that they paid at the beginning of the lease.

The five basic obligations a tenant has

1. Pay a deposit: Before starting to live in your new student home, you must pay a downpayment as insurance to the landlord against damages. As a general rule, the amount to be paid is equivalent to one month’s rent.

2. Pay the rent every month: Tenant must comply monthly with the payment established in the rental contract. The payment must be made (unless otherwise agreed) during the first 7 days of the month, in the place and manner which both parties agree. The most normal thing is that the payment is made via bank transfer, and if you prefer this then don’t be pressured into giving over cash.

3. Leave the property in the same condition as you found it: Another obligation you have when renting student housing is to leave the house in the same conditions as when you started to live in it. Otherwise, you may lose your deposit, as the property owner will keep it to cover any cleaning or repair bills.

4. Tell the owner about any necessary repairs: The landlord must be informed of any repair work that needs to be done to preserve the habitability of the property. This duty also comes with the added weight of having to let the owner, and any other workers who may be needed, to enter the home in order to carry out the reparations.

5. Do not carry out dangerous works or activities: Bear in mind that you’re not allowed to carry out works yourself that may cause instability or insecurity in the dwelling. If something needs doing, it’s best to cover your own back and ask the landlord to do it for you. Similarly (and obviously), there may be no illegal, harmful or dangerous activities or disturbances on the property.