Letting produces income and it produces risk. Damage, non-payment, disputes. Knowing what to do when something goes wrong, and what prevents most of it, is part of the job.
The common problems #
Damage to the property or its contents. Unpaid bills or rent. Tenants who do not leave at the end of a contract. And nuisance to neighbours.
These occur in both holiday letting and long-term letting, though in different proportions.
When something goes wrong #
Acting quickly and carefully matters.
Record the situation first with photographs and documentation. Contact the tenant directly and try to resolve it by agreement, which works more often than people expect.
If that fails, send a formal notice, involve a local lawyer, and gather all the evidence. In serious situations such as non-payment or refusal to leave, you can start legal proceedings. That goes through the Spanish courts and takes time, which is exactly why prevention is worth more than remedy here.
Practical points #
Always use a clear tenancy contract with everything agreed in writing. Keep an inventory of the property and its contents. Check the property after every let. And take a deposit.
Those four things prevent most disputes from becoming arguments about what was agreed.
Specific to holiday letting #
With short lets you are responsible for the behaviour of your guests. Nuisance can lead to complaints or fines. A licence is compulsory in most regions. And while platforms sometimes offer protection, it does not cover everything.
The responsibility stays with you as the owner regardless of who took the booking.
Reducing the risk #
Choose your tenants carefully where you can. Work with clear terms. Consider insurance covering damage or legal costs, which is inexpensive relative to what it covers. And set expectations about how the property is to be used.
In short #
Damage and disputes cannot always be avoided. Acting fast and keeping your records in order limits the consequences. Clear agreements and the right support keep you in control of the situation.
Last reviewed 2026-08-24
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