When it comes to renting in Malaga, let me tell you, it’s a real hoot. I mean, where do you even begin? Do you go online? Ask around? Stick a pin in a map? I decided to try them all and boy, what a rollercoaster ride it was.
The internet
First up, hit the internet. And let me tell you, there are a ton of websites out there that specialize in rental listings. Here’s some
- Idealista: This is one of the most popular real estate websites in Spain and it has a wide range of rental properties in Malaga.
- Fotocasa: This website also has a large selection of rental properties in Malaga and it is easy to use and navigate.
- Yaencontre: This website has a wide range of rental options and it also offers the option to search for properties based on specific criteria such as number of bedrooms, price range, and location.
- Pisos.com: This website has a vast range of rental properties and offers the option to search for properties based on specific criteria such as number of bedrooms, price range, and location.
I recommend you start looking and set up an alert for the type of apartment your are looking for even before moving to Spain. You can start getting an idea of the the type of properties available and the average price. In my own case, with the help of Idealsta and alerts, I have had success renting 2 centrally located rooftop penthouses for 700-800 euro with 2-3 bedrooms. These prices are from before the inflation of late 2022 and early 2023.
Commissions for Renting in Malaga?
Remember in Spain, in most cases you have to pay a month’s rent to an agency as commission, plus a months rent deposit, and a months rent to move in. So to move into a 700 euro apartment you would have to have 3x 700 euro so 2100 euros – just to sign the contract and move in. You can try to avoid these fees by looking for listings from “particulares” (private advertisers, without an agency rep) but they can be hard to find and you will probably have to be able to speak Spanish.
Classifieds for Renting in Malaga?
Next, you could go old-school and check out local newspapers and classifieds (milanuncios.,com) for rental listings. And let me tell you, it’s like a trip down memory lane. Remember when people used to put their phone numbers in the classifieds? Oh, the nostalgia. But, let’s be real, most of the listings were either outdated or already taken. But, it’s always worth a try.
Too busy?
If you don’t have the time to be checking listings, alerts, and replying within minutes, you could turn to the experts – real estate agents. Some of them know their stuff but most don’t care about rentals. They have access to a wide range of properties that may not be listed on the internet. But, here’s the catch, they charge you an extra commission for their services. So, it’s like hiring a personal shopper, but for apartments.
In the meantime
Finally, at least for your first weeks or a month you could decide to check out rental platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com and Homeaway. There’s a wide range of options in Malaga and they are easy to use, just more expensive.
But, in the end, it all comes down to what you’re looking for. Location, size, and budget, these are all important things to consider. And don’t forget to bring your ID and proof of income when you find a property that you’re interested in.
One way to get around showing a proof of income or a work contract could be to offer to pay a couple months extra deposit, its not cheap, but it might be your only way to get your foot in the door.
So, there you have it, my journey to finding a rental in Malaga. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s worth it in the end. Just remember, keep an open mind and a sense of humor, and you’ll be just fine.
Once you’ve found a place to live in Malaga you might want some tips for making friends? Check out our ultimate guide for making friends in Malaga.