Choose the right kind of rental
A holiday, a genuinely temporary stay and a habitual home can fall under different rules. The purpose of the stay matters; the contract label or number of months alone does not settle the classification.
Tell us your dates or intended length of stay, preferred island, bedrooms and the places you need to reach regularly. For a longer stay, look at everyday needs as carefully as the view.
Confirm the complete price
Request a written breakdown of rent, deposit, cleaning, utilities and any services. For a holiday stay, also ask how local tourist tax and extra guests are handled.
Read the cancellation, arrival and departure terms before payment. Confirm the identity of the contracting party and verify any changed bank details by calling a trusted number.
- Check the actual sleeping arrangements and maximum occupancy.
- Ask about heating, air conditioning, internet and pool safety.
- Agree who deals with maintenance and emergencies.
Three rental situations to distinguish
- Your habitual home
- You intend to make the property your regular home. Ask which housing-tenancy rules apply, how the term and renewals work, and how rent updates, notice and repairs are handled. Special cases and the contract date need checking.
- A genuinely temporary base
- Examples include a defined work assignment or study period. Explain the actual reason and dates, and have the appropriate contract checked. An eleven-month label alone does not establish the legal regime.
- A holiday booking
- Check the accommodation’s applicable tourism authorisation, permitted occupancy, booking terms and full price. Do not assume ordinary residential deposit or cancellation rules apply to a tourist stay.
Example: budgeting for a €2,000 monthly rent
For an ordinary housing tenancy covered by the LAU, the statutory cash deposit is one month’s rent. At an illustrative €2,000 monthly rent, the first month plus that deposit totals €4,000. This is not a local rent estimate and not the complete move-in budget.
List any lawful additional guarantee separately, together with utilities, agreed services and moving costs. Ask what each payment covers, who holds it and how it is settled. For habitual housing, Article 20 prevents passing real-estate management and contract-formalisation costs to the tenant; have any proposed charges checked against the applicable regime.
What to include in your enquiry
Before sending identity or income documents, confirm the recipient and the secure submission method. Ask which documents are necessary for the application. Keep payment instructions and the signed agreement together.
- Stay: island, exact dates or intended start and duration, and whether it will be a habitual home, temporary stay or holiday.
- Household: adults and children, required bedrooms, bed configuration, pets and any essential step-free access.
- Daily routine: workplace, chosen school, transport needs, parking and workspace. Confirm school admission directly; a nearby home does not secure a place.
- Budget: rent ceiling and a separate allowance for utilities and services. Say which costs you expect to be included, rather than comparing headline rents alone.
A practical arrival and departure record
At arrival, walk through the inventory with the host or representative. Record existing marks, meter readings, keys and remotes, and photograph any discrepancy. Check hot water, heating or cooling, Wi-Fi and the appliances you depend on. Ask for the emergency number and the written process for reporting faults.
At departure, arrange a joint inspection and a written handover signed by both parties, recording condition and any agreed deductions. Confirm how keys are returned and when and how the deposit account will be settled. Retain dated photos and receipts rather than relying on a telephone conversation after leaving.
Frequently asked questions
Is an eleven-month contract automatically a seasonal rental?
No. A key distinction is whether the home meets a permanent housing need or a genuinely temporary purpose. The label and duration alone do not settle this. State the reason for your stay and have the appropriate contract reviewed.
What does Bellavista need to find a suitable rental?
Tell us the island, preferred municipalities or places, move-in date, purpose and duration of stay, number of people and bedrooms. Add your rent budget and essentials such as pets, workspace or step-free access. For a shortlisted home, request a total price including separately charged services.
View long-term rental listings in Ibiza
Sources & further reading
This guide provides general information, not individual legal or tax advice. Confirm the rules that apply to your property and circumstances with an independent qualified adviser before committing.
