Accommodation > Accommodation in Catalonia

Finding accommodation is not easy for students and researchers from outside Catalonia due to strong demand, particularly in the city of Barcelona. Before travelling to the Catalan city where you will be staying, we recommend that you book accommodation for the first few nights and to cover the period that you will be seeking longer-term accommodation. If you opt to book accommodation from your country of origin, make sure that you are dealing with a reliable company, such as one of those listed in information provided by universities or official bodies (the Generalitat, the city/town council, etc.). You should also be aware of your rights and obligations.

Accommodation in Catalonia

Types of accommodation: The types of accommodation available to students and researchers are as follows :

 On-campus accommodation: residential colleges and student residences.
Rented accommodation: flats, rooms in shared flats, and rooms in family homes.

Legislation: All legislation concerning accommodation rental is contained in the Spanish Law on Urban Lettings (Llei d'Arrendaments Urbans) www.bcn.es/habitatge/llog_leg_lau.shtml. . Signing a tenancy agreement implies a series of rights and obligations that must be respected and fulfilled by both landlord and tenant.

THE TENANT

• Rights
  • The right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises. The landlord may not interfere with this enjoyment.
  • The right to have any necessary repairs and maintenance of the premises carried out at the landlord's expense. Provided that prior notice is given, urgently needed repairs may be carried out by the tenant, and the landlord is obliged to reimburse the tenant.
  • The right to the premises remaining habitable during the rental period.
  • The right to terminate the lease with due cause.
  • The right to recover any deposit on termination of the tenancy agreement.
• Obligations
• To pay the monthly rent until the end of the period specified in the lease.
• To take due care of the premises, and not to carry out activities that disturb or annoy others, or that are illegal or constitute a health risk.
• To repair any damage caused by deliberate acts or resulting from negligence.
• To pay the rent owing to the end of the lease if the premises are abandoned before that time.

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THE LANDLORD

• Rights
• The right to be paid the agreed rent, the right to the premises being used for the agreed purpose, and the right to proper care of the premises.
• The right to demand that the tenant repair any damage that he/she has caused.
• The right to increase the rent in accordance with the terms specified in the lease.
• The right to be paid the rent owing up to the end of the lease if the tenant abandons the premises before that time.

• Obligations

• To guarantee the tenant's peaceful enjoyment of the premises.
• To carry out any urgently needed repairs and, if this is not done, to reimburse the tenant for the cost of any such repairs.
• To ensure that the premises remain habitable during the rental period.

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Where and how can I find accommodation?

Barcelona
Tarragona
Lleida
Girona
Vic

 

Updated may 2008