Apartment Rental in Spain
 

In the process of renting an apartment in Barcelona for 4 months. The apartment company wants me to send my passport number and a copy of my passport then they will send bank transfer instructions to me for the deposit. Does anyone know if this is the procedure? I am feeling very wary. Thank you.

They need that info to make an official invoice/bill.

I would be sure you are renting with a well known reputable company.. not some vrbo place.

have you considered staying in a hotel for a few days and just checking everyplace out once there?.

Or hiring someone to take a look at the place and company's office?

Do you have to pre pay the 4 months?

Thank you for your reply. But if they have my full name, address and nationality isn't that enough for an invoice/bill?

We have to prepay deposit (1 1/2 month rent -refundable), one month rent and fees (VAT) This is thru Altiro Apartments.

no.. in Spain they need your ID number to make a bill with IVA ( vat) on it. So in your case.. an official ID number.

If you have any qualms about this.. it seems you could easily find a flat in a couple days once you got there having done all the footwork, since you are going for such a long time.

I do not live in Barcelona, but do know a lot of people/interpreters, designers, etc. there if you end up wanting someone to actually do something/ investigating ?? for you.

Do you have references from anyone using this agency for these flats?

Good luck.

I assume the contract is in English, but the translation to Spanish is also important to make sure they say the same thing. It is the Spanish contract that would be valid in court.

Since this is a long term rental, be sure that all condo fees ( gastos de comunidad/ escalera) are included. Also make sure abut your gas, light, water and take readings on the meter when you arrive if you will be paying for it.

Just guessing here.. some transactions re. real estate / rentals that don't qualify as short-term rentals could need ID by whatever legal requirements..
Maybe you can get some more official answer from the US branch of the Spanish Tourism Office when you called or e-mailed them..

Thank you for all your advice - very helpful. We do have some references from people who stayed in these apartments last year so that is excellent help as well. Also thank you very much for the advice on Spanish contracts -- will be on my toes about that!

If you know people who have already used them, then I would not be so worried, especially knowing that asking for this info is totally normal.

We need to give our ID number to the gardener.

All rentals, hotels and sales of certain items ( cell phone sim cards, for example) need an ID number.

So when you say ID number, you mean passport number? Can you show your drivers license to buy things?

Spanish ID numbers are like passport numbers. It's similar to our social security number.

NO, drivers' licenses can be used for identification to check against a credit card, but NOT for tax purposes.