BUYING A PROPERTY TO RENT OUT?

REBECCA SERWOTKA ­ “We sell houses! It’s what we do, it’s ALL we do!” Certified API Associate 00493. Your favourite local resale property expert, of Inmobiliaria Estate Agents in Ciudad Quesada. Prestige Award WINNER for Real Estate Agency Of The Year 2021/22 & 2022/23. Luxury Lifestyle Awards WINNER, Alicante Spain 2023.

If you’re ready to invest in a holiday home, here are three essential factors to consider BEFORE buying a property with the intention of generating rental income.

1. Check for eligibility of a ‘Tourist Licence’ for short ­ term renting.

It may seem un ­ usual, but certain areas (even along the coast) do not meet the qualifications. Prioritise researching the specific location, as the final decision on granting a licence lies with the town halls.

2. Determine the number of bedrooms you require in advance to accommodate your desired number of guests. Opting for a two bedroom property allows you to easily host up to six individuals by incorporating a sofa bed in the living room.

3. Having access to a private or shared swimming pool is often a top priority for families seeking a holiday rental. To maximise your property’s rental potential, consider a swimming pool as a desirable feature.

THE decision by Spanish President Pedro Sánchez to call a general election in July rather than December was to say the least unexpected.

He is either very brave, stupid, or highly manipulative as it was clear from the local elections just passed that there is a marked swing towards the right of centre and in some cases even further right.

As his coalition with Podemos is clearly crumbling and deputy PM Yolanda Diaz is forming her own left wing political party, he wants to alert voters to the possible spectre of a PP/Vox coalition and there is a general feeling that the majority who don’t look back on the Franco years with pleasure might worry about Vox gaining any more power.

Many residents of big cities such as Madrid have second homes in coastal areas of Spain and Sunday July 23 is really in the middle of holiday season so those who can afford to do so (and are most likely to be Partido Popular voters) will almost certainly be away on holiday so will have to be bothered to apply for a postal vote.

Many businesses across the country, both large and small have been adversely affected by the numerous new laws that have been created and the fact that it is now often more beneficial for people to remain unemployed rather than work in lower paid jobs, so in the main, they are keeping their fingers crossed for the return of the PP.

As an aside, the Gibraltar Schengen situation is back on hold and what should have been a done deal has the potential to be dead in the water.