How to Rent a Vacation Flat in Barcelona
For long vacations abroad, hotels can get pricey, but in most major tourist cities around the world, it is much more economical to rent a flat. Many people offer their apartments and condos for renters during vacations at a fraction of the cost of a hotel stay, and afford you many luxuries that you cannot have when staying in a hotel, or even worse, a hostel, including cooking at home. Especially for longer stays and group travel, renting vacation flats can be very cost effective. If you're traveling to Spain with a large group or just planning your honeymoon, here's a guide to finding and securing holiday flats in Barcelona.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Internet
- Paypal account (not required, but can make things easier)
- Map of Barcelona
- Camera
Instructions
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The first thing you'll need to do is decide where you want to stay. Get a detailed map of Barcelona, so you are able to see all the neighborhoods and the tourist attractions that are located in each area. Barcelona is a very large city and its attractions are spread out over the entire area. Many people choose to stay in the center of the city, close to the water and the busy Las Ramblas and Gothic Quarter, but other areas can be just as nice and much cheaper. The Barcelona metro is very convenient, so if you're trying to save money, you might look in areas like Encants, Gracia or Placa Espana.
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Once you've narrowed it down to a couple of neighborhoods, you'll want to do some research. Get on the computer and start looking for Barcelona Holiday Rentals. You can find tons of companies that rent apartments, but these are often more pricey than those rented directly by the owner. To find "By Owner" rentals, check out the local ads on Loqou or Craigslist. You can search by "Holiday Rentals" or "Sublets" on both of these sites.
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Make a list of at least 10 apartments you might be interested in and then email each contact individually. Provide the dates of your vacation and ask for the availability and price? Make sure you include the number of guests that will be staying and the exact time and date you'll arrive and depart.
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Ask the right questions. Make sure you know exactly what you are getting. Is the rental price all inclusive or will you need to pay for gas and electricity? Does the kitchen have kitchen supplies? Are towels and sheets provided? If you don't know the answer, ask. No question is too silly or unnecessary. This will be your home away from home and if you're not comfortable with it, you shouldn't be renting it.
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Never pay for the apartment up front. Wiring money directly into a bank account before you arrive is just silly. Though it may be necessary to pay a deposit to hold the apartment, you should never be asked to pay more than 150 euros and that is on the high end. People who have moved to Africa and will send you the keys once you've sent them money are scamming you. Be very careful when it comes to exchanging money; if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
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Get it in writing. Never trust anyone's word. Money is always the bottom line, so make sure you have everything they've promised and exactly how much you will owe for your stay in writing. You should bring the signed contract and copies of all your emails with you when you come to Barcelona.
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Get step-by-step instructions on how to pick up the keys once you arrive in Barcelona. If you're renting through an agency, they'll have an office, but if you are renting directly from the owner, you may need to schedule a time to meet at the apartment. Make sure you know how to get to the apartment from the airport. The old city has a very complicated layout and it can be very difficult to find your way.
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Pay the balance of the apartment only after you've gone inside and checked that everything is as promised. Check the lights, outlets, toilets and showers and if there were any additional things promised like cable and phone, make sure you check those as well.
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Take pictures of the apartment when you arrive so that you have proof of what the apartment looked like when you got there. This will help you avoid being blamed for breaking or taking anything once you go and will ensure that you get your deposit returned.
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Tips & Warnings
Never exchange money electronically or through the mail. If you MUST leave a deposit, it should never be over 150 euros.
