Renting in Spain
What to do if you have problems with your landlord
The right order to escalate a dispute with your landlord — from a direct conversation to formal mediation or court.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15
This guide is not yet verified by Tuchati's editorial review — treat it as a helpful starting point, not a final legal answer.
Overview
Most disputes with a landlord — unanswered repair requests, disagreements about the deposit, or unclear charges — are resolved faster through the right escalation path than by going straight to conflict. Spain has free consumer-mediation services designed specifically for this.
Requirements
- Applies to any tenant with an unresolved issue involving their landlord, such as repairs, habitability, deposit disputes or unclear charges
- Free mediation through consumer-arbitration boards (Juntas Arbitrales de Consumo) is generally only available when the landlord is a professional or company — if you're renting from a private individual, disputes usually go through the courts if they can't be resolved directly
Step-by-step process
- Document the issue in writing as soon as it arises, including photos where relevant
- Send a formal written request to your landlord describing the problem and what you're asking for
- If it's unresolved, contact your local OMIC (Oficina Municipal de Información al Consumidor) or your region's consumer or housing office for free guidance and mediation
- If your landlord is a company or professional, ask whether arbitration through your region's Junta Arbitral de Consumo applies
- As a last resort, disputes under roughly €2,000 can generally be brought to a small-claims-style court process without needing a lawyer
Required documents
- Written correspondence with your landlord
- Your signed rental contract
- Photos or other evidence relevant to the dispute
- Any receipts or proof of payment involved
Common mistakes
- Withholding rent unilaterally as a way to force a repair — this can put you at legal risk rather than resolving the issue
- Not putting anything in writing, leaving no record if the dispute needs to escalate
- Going straight to court before trying free mediation, which resolves many disputes faster and at no cost
Practical tips
- A burofax (certified letter) is worth using for anything time-sensitive or likely to be disputed later
- Regional tenant associations and consumer offices often give free initial guidance even before you file anything formally
How Tuchati can help
Tuchati can help you figure out the right first step for your specific situation and put together the written request to your landlord.