To negotiate rent before signing, prepare a specific amount, a reason you can support and a clear list of included costs. If you own the property, ask for the same clarity so you can assess the proposal, suggest another figure or keep the initial amount.
Fotocasa’s press release of 14 October 2026 brings rent negotiation back into focus. Its first-half report covers rental experiences in Spain; it does not show that the rent for any particular home can be reduced.
What to prepare before talking
Amount and flexibility: prospective tenants work out what they can afford; owners decide which proposals they can consider. You do not need to reveal your limit in the first message.
Useful comparisons: if you mention other listings, check location, size, condition, rental duration and equipment. Advertised prices do not prove what someone eventually paid.
Actual condition: describe what you have observed and ask which improvements are planned. An unanswered question about repairs does not automatically justify a discount.
Included costs: separate rent from utilities. This guide to estimating a home’s monthly cost helps you avoid comparing incomplete figures.
Make your proposal easy to answer
Fictional example, not market prices: a home is offered at €1,000 a month and the interested person proposes €950 after reviewing their expenses.
“The property suits my needs. Would you consider €950 a month, keeping the included costs we discussed? Could you also confirm which utilities would be charged separately?”
The owner can accept, decline or counteroffer: “Thanks for being specific. I could consider €980; water, electricity and internet would be separate.” The prospective tenant then reviews the total cost before continuing. Avoid promising dates or terms you cannot yet confirm.
If you met through Rentisure, you handle the conversation yourselves: Rentisure facilitates contact and does not negotiate or manage the rental. The amounts used to identify compatibility do not set the final rent.
How much of a rent reduction should I ask for?
No percentage guarantees an agreement. Suggest an amount you can justify with comparable information and your budget, and be prepared for a refusal.
How should I respond to a rental counteroffer?
Check whether the new amount and additional costs work for you. You can accept, suggest another figure or politely end the conversation; clarify in writing which terms you are still considering before signing.
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