Zembelo Guidemarbella Renting Journey

Viewings & Checks

Renting Journey — Step by step

What should I look for during a property viewing? In Spain, you must be a 'technical' viewer, looking past the furniture to the infrastructure.

Cosmetic beauty often hides maintenance issues that become expensive headaches later. to help you spot the red flags.

The 'Potencia' Test

Turn on all the AC units and run the water during your viewing. If the' breaker trips, the 'Potencia' (electrical capacity) is too low. In Spain, increasing this limit requires a specific certificate and can be a bureaucratic delay. Ensure the landlord handles this before move-in.

Humidity & North Faces

Look behind wardrobes and in corners for signs of damp. North-facing apartments in Marbella can be freezing and humid in the winter, whereas South/West-facing units will require massive AC budgets in the summer. Our viewing checklist helps you stay objective.

and avoid inheriting the previous tenant's problems.

Advisor Insight

"Turn on all the AC units and run the water in the shower during the viewing. This is the only way to test water pressure and the electrical limit before you sign."

What usually happens

  • Inspect window seals (crucial for winter humidity)
  • Check orientation (West-facing gets very hot; North-facing can be damp in winter)
  • Confirm if the price includes community fees and IBI (they usually do for tenants)
Timing
Week 2-3
People
Tenant, Agent
Cost

Prepare

    Risks

    • Hidden mold issues masked by recent painting

    Viewing & Tech Checklist

    • Check electrical capacity (potencia)
    • Inspect for damp and unpleasent odors
    • Test water pressure in showers and taps
    • Verify fiber connection on-site
    Technical checklist

    Expert Q&A

    Check the electric panel. If the 'potencia' is under 4.6kW, the breaker will likely trip if you run the AC and oven at the same time. Ask the landlord to increase it before you move in if you use a lot of power.
    Yes, significantly. Many houses lack insulation. Look for bubbling paint in corners or a musty smell in wardrobes. A dehumidifier (deshumidificador) is a must-have for almost every tenant in the winter.
    Absolutely. Flush all toilets and run the shower for 2 minutes to check water pressure. In penthouses, low pressure is a common problem that's expensive to fix afterward.
    It's standard security for ground-floor apartments. It doesn't mean the area is unsafe, but check that they can be opened from the inside (fire risk!) and that they don't squeak.
    For long-term: rarely. If it is, ask to do a 'speed test' during the viewing. 'Community WiFi' in a complex is often unusable if you need to work from home.