Finding accommodation in Seville is a relatively painless task. On arrival, while expats get their bearings, there are plenty of economically priced hostels in the city centre or estate agencies that can provide short-term living quarters.
As in most cities, the closer to the centre or the larger the property, the higher the housing prices. The benefit of Seville is that its central area is relatively small, and it’s easy to get from one end to the other on foot, by bike or scooter, or other forms of public transport.
Types of accommodation in Seville
Apartments
Most housing in Seville is in the form of apartments. These range from small studio apartments to larger three- or four-bedroom flats.
Expats on a budget, particularly international students moving to Seville to study, can find flatshares. This is essentially renting a room in an apartment and sharing communal spaces such as the kitchen and living room with other flatmates, and dividing the living expenses appropriately.
Serviced apartments
As one of Spain’s most quintessential cities, Seville is no stranger to short-term expat stays and tourist visits. As such, serviced apartments and aparthotels are available which meet an expat’s every need. Fully furnished with cleaning services and access to various amenities, these are usually preferred as corporate accommodation. They offer all essential hotel facilities and also allow for self-catering. Costs may be lower than a hotel suite, although luxury serviced apartments do come with a heavy price tag.
Houses
Houses with gardens are available on the outskirts of the city as well as in Seville’s surrounding towns. This would involve a bit of a commute into the city, but is often considered by expat families with children as well as expats who prefer a more peaceful living environment.
Furnished vs unfurnished
Both furnished and unfurnished apartments can be found in Seville, although free-standing houses and villas are often unfurnished. Tenants in unfurnished apartments will have no problem finding furniture, be their décor preference modern or antique, with a host of stores in Seville, including IKEA.
Finding accommodation in Seville
Thanks to multiple online property portals, the easiest way to find a property in Seville is by searching online. Both international platforms, such as HousingAnywhere and Nestpick, as well as Spanish-based websites, including idealista, yaencontre and pisos.com, are a good start. Online platforms allow for networking and contacting landlords and agents. House hunters can refine their searches based on the types of accommodation, budget and move-in dates, as well as rules on smoking, having pets and allowing musical instruments to be played.
Posting a comment or question on social media pages and expat forums can also help a new arrival secure accommodation. Adventurous expats travelling on a shoestring budget can also find temporary accommodation in a homestay environment and can connect with hosts through platforms such as Couchsurfing.
When looking for accommodation in Seville, enlisting the services of a real estate agent or relocation company can also take the weight off a new arrival's shoulders. Real estate professionals may have access to housing that is not yet on the market while also be able to navigate any language barriers between property owners and prospective tenants.
The best time to find accommodation in Seville is early September before the university starts. Finding accommodation in August can be hard – landlords are normally at the beach enjoying their summer holiday. Otherwise, new arrivals can find housing any other time of year.
Renting accommodation in Seville
Leases
Most expats rent flats on a 10-month to yearly basis. When making an application, prospective tenants may need to provide proof of finances, a credit check and for a guarantor to sign the contract on their behalf.
Deposits
Expect to pay a one or two month rental deposit.
Utilities
We recommend that tenants confirm with the landlord who will be responsible for paying utilities, including water, electricity, gas and internet. Usually, in serviced apartments and holiday lets, utility costs are fully or partially included in the rent. However, rental agreements in other property types and for longer-term stays may require the tenant to pay for all utility bills.
Further reading
►Get a feel for what this city offers by reading Moving to Seville
►Interesting in investing in the property market? Read this guide to Buying Property in Spain: Risks and Rewards
Expat Experiences
"We bought a house in 2014, right before housing prices were forecasted to go up. Most of Seville’s offerings are apartments, though some neighbourhoods have small houses that share at least one wall with neighbours.
The utilities are what really get you, as well as VAT tax on those bills. As a homeowner, we pay for electricity, water, access to our own parking garage, internet, etc. Because we have a house, we don’t have what’s known as comunidad, or general building upkeep. Taxes are calculated on both the property’s value and size in square meters, along with the square meterage of the lot on which it’s built. We pay 100% of that since we own a home, but flat owners would divide this tax, called IBI (impuesto sobre bienes immuebles), amongst the other dwellers in the building." Read more about what Cat, an American expat, has to say about life in Seville.
Are you an expat living in Seville?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Seville. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
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