Renting in Sevilla without scams
Since 2026 Andalucía no longer holds rental deposits at a public body — you need to know what that changes before you sign.
What you should know about renting in Sevilla
Sevilla combines Andalucía's tourism pressure with a housing market that's tightened noticeably in the last two years.
The important structural change: Andalucía has phased out the mandatory public deposit-registration body that other regions still use. Your fianza sits with the landlord — which makes documenting it correctly at signing much more important.
Deposit: where it's held & what to verify before paying
Nationally, the legal fianza is 1 month's rent for residential leases, with up to 2 additional months allowed as separate guarantees — a maximum of 3 months upfront.
Where it's held in Sevilla
In Andalucía, deposit registration with a public body is no longer required. The deposit sits with the landlord, which makes a signed receipt, an itemised inventory and a clear return clause essential.
Each autonomous community has its own body (or, as in Andalucía, no longer has a public one) — that's why deposit registration doesn't work the same everywhere in Spain.
Verify before paying the deposit
- You have viewed the property in person (or via a live video call with someone verifiably at the address) before any money moves.
- The person receiving the deposit is the registered owner — check with a nota simple from the Registro de la Propiedad (a few euros online).
- The amount matches the legal fianza (1 month for residential). Anything above that must be itemised as a separate additional guarantee, capped at 2 extra months.
- You pay by bank transfer to an account in the landlord's name — never Bizum, cash or a third-party account — and the concept clearly says "fianza".
- You get a signed, dated receipt stating the amount, the property address and that it is the fianza under the LAU.
- The contract sets a clear return deadline (Spanish law: within 1 month of key handover) and only allows deductions for proven damage or unpaid rent.
National patterns (apply everywhere in Spain)
These signals show up in every Spanish city. Check these first, then the city-specific ones below.
Phantom listings with stolen photos
Attractive photos (often lifted from real ads), a price noticeably below market, and an "owner abroad" story that conveniently prevents an in-person viewing.
Pay-before-viewing pressure
Any request for a deposit, reservation fee or first month before you've seen the flat in person is a stop-sign — regardless of city or how convincing the story is.
Fake tenant fraud (landlord-side)
Someone poses as a solvent tenant with forged payslips or ID, moves in and stops paying. If you're the landlord, verify identity and income independently before signing.
Specific to Sevilla
Legal-protection gap, not a distinct scam
We haven't found a distinct, verified Sevilla-only scam pattern beyond the national ones above. What's different in Sevilla is structural: since January 2026, deposits are no longer held by a public body (AVRA), so if a dispute arises there's less institutional protection. Treat the items below as contract-hygiene risks that this gap makes much more damaging.
No signed receipt for the deposit
Because AVRA no longer registers deposits publicly, a signed, dated receipt (with amount and bank reference) is your only proof. Don't hand over money without it.
Vague return-of-deposit clause
"Returned once the flat is checked" with no deadline is a red flag — and without a public deposit holder to arbitrate, it matters more here than elsewhere. Spanish law gives the landlord one month after handover; the clause should say so.
Stressed-zone status
Not declared. Andalucía has not activated the stressed-market mechanism. In practice: no rent cap on new leases.
How the check works
Paste
Paste the listing and your draft contract.
Pay €9
One-off secure payment. No subscription.
Get your report
A plain report with a risk score and red flags.
Where to report problems and get help
- OMIC Sevilla — Oficina Municipal de Información al Consumidor
- Junta de Andalucía — Vivienda
Other cities
Looking in Barcelona? See our Barcelona guide · Looking in Madrid? See our Madrid guide · Looking in Valencia? See our Valencia guide · Looking in Zaragoza? See our Zaragoza guide
Check your rental contract in Sevilla
Plain report in 60 seconds. €9, no subscription.
Check your rental contract in Sevilla