Guide: Housing
Understanding Aval and Rental Guarantees in Catalonia and Spain
What landlords in Spain can legally ask for as deposit and additional guarantees, including aval rules and Catalonia-specific practice.
If you are renting in Spain, especially in Barcelona, the money requested at signing can be confusing. Agents and landlords may use several terms interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.
Understanding the difference can save you thousands of euros.
The Three Terms You Must Separate
1. Fianza (legal deposit)
For standard housing rentals, the LAU sets a mandatory one month rent legal deposit.
2. Garantia adicional (additional guarantee)
This is extra protection beyond the legal deposit. For typical housing contracts under current rules, it is generally capped.
3. Aval (bank guarantee)
An aval bancario is a bank-backed guarantee. It is one type of additional guarantee, not a separate legal universe.
What the Law Allows in Most Housing Cases
For common long-term housing contracts signed under the post-2019 framework:
- Legal deposit: 1 month
- Additional guarantee: up to 2 more months
- Practical total at signing: often up to 3 months of rent equivalent
There are exceptions in specific contract structures, so always review your exact contract type and duration.
Catalonia: What Is Different in Practice
In Catalonia, landlords are generally required to deposit the legal fianza through the official regional channel (INCASOL system).
What this means for tenants:
- Ask for written proof that the legal deposit was registered
- Keep signed receipts for every amount paid at signature
- Ensure contract language clearly separates legal deposit vs additional guarantee
When a Landlord Requests More Than Expected
A high ask is not automatically illegal, but you should check four points before paying:
- Is the property under standard housing rental rules or another regime?
- Is the extra amount labeled clearly as additional guarantee or aval?
- Does the contract include transparent return conditions?
- Are you receiving official receipts for each concept?
If terms are vague, ask for written clarification before transferring funds.
!Do not pay lump sums without concept breakdown
If a landlord or agent asks for a single large transfer without splitting rent, deposit, and guarantee in writing, pause the process.
Negotiation Tactics That Actually Work
You can often reduce upfront guarantees by improving your risk profile instead of arguing law:
- Offer payroll evidence or stable income statements
- Offer a guarantor instead of extra cash lock-up
- Offer longer notice clauses rather than larger deposits
- Propose direct debit and documented payment history
In competitive cities, clarity and speed matter. If your paperwork is ready, you can negotiate from a stronger position.
Common Mistakes Expats Make
- Paying large "reservation" sums without signed terms
- Confusing booking fee and legal deposit
- Assuming every extra request is illegal (or legal)
- Not collecting receipts linked to the contract reference
- Forgetting to document property condition at handover
What to Do This Week
- Build a pre-sign checklist with legal deposit, additional guarantee, and aval as separate lines.
- Ask every landlord/agent for a written payment breakdown before transfer.
- Request confirmation of fianza deposit process in your region.
- Photograph property condition and meter readings on key handover day.
- Keep all transfers and receipts in one folder for end-of-contract recovery.
If you are also setting up bills, see Spanish IBAN vs. Neobanks: Why Wise and Revolut Might Fail for Utilities.