Tenant rights in Girona

Getting a deposit back

In Spain, once a rental contract ends, the landlord has 30 days to inspect the property and return the deposit. If everything is in good condition, the landlord must return the full amount to the tenant within those 30 days. If there is damage, the landlord may deduct the repair costs from the deposit.

However, landlords in Spain often keep rental deposits without a valid reason. In theory, landlords must give the deposit to a third party called Incasol (Institut Català del Sòl) for the duration of the contract, to prevent the landlord from simply keeping the money. However, landlords often don't do this, presumably so they can have no problems keeping the rental deposit at the end of a rental contract. You can check if your landlord has given the deposit to Incasol. If they haven't, it probably means they are planning to keep your deposit. In this case, DO NOT pay your last month's rent (claim there is a problem with your bank and you will look into it). Then when you you do the inspection, give back the key and they sign the closure of the contract, only pay the last month's rent if they give you back the deposit too.

Landlords may try to often claim that the property was not left in the same condition it was received. You can try to defend yourself by taking photographs of the property when moving in, to serve as evidence of the original condition when the rental contract was signed.

If the landlord refuses to return the deposit, or makes deductions you disagree with, you should:

• Send them an email asking for the deposit to be returned.
• If there is no reply, send a burofax — a registered letter that provides legal proof of delivery and content.

If the dispute continues, the next step is to go to court. However, many tenants decide not to pursue legal action because the amount in question is often small compared to the cost of hiring a lawyer and solicitor.

However, if your income is within a certain range, you may qualify for free legal assistance. And if the amount claimed is under €2,000, you can take the case to court without a lawyer or solicitor.

Tenant rights organisations

Sindicat de Llogateres

The Sindicat de Llogateres is a Catalan tenants' union that defends the rights of people who rent homes. It is a collective of individuals who rent housing in Catalonia, united to confront issues like abusive rent increases and evictions. They provide legal support, advocate for rent regulation, and campaign against evictions. Founded in 2017 in Barcelona, the union has expanded across Catalonia, including Girona. It is a non-profit organization, funded through member fees.

• Website: https://sindicatdellogateres.org
• Webpage about Girona: https://sindicatdellogateres.org/on-estem/girona/
• Email: girona@sindicatdellogateres.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llogateres_girona/

Sindicat d’Habitatge de Girona

The Sindicat d’Habitatge de Girona is a grassroots organization founded in May 2025 in Girona to defend the right to housing. The union was established in response to rising concerns over evictions, unaffordable rents, and real estate speculation.

The union advocates for stronger public policies to prevent evictions, ensure access to affordable rental housing, and protect vulnerable residents from displacement. It opposes all forms of eviction, whether initiated by private landlords or public authorities, and has expressed particular concern about the criminalization of squatters, especially those from migrant backgrounds.

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girona_shsc/
• Old instagram? https://www.instagram.com/sindicat_habitatge_girones/

Oficina Municipal d'Informació al Consumidor (OMIC)

An organisation in Girona that helps with consumer rights issues. Offers legal advice to renters.

Address: Carrer dels Ciutadans, 2, 17004 Girona

Cambra de la Propietat Urbana de Girona

Non-profit that provides services and legal guidance for landlords, tenants, and property owners. Includes contract help, dispute resolution, and housing-related consultations.

Addresses:

• Carrer dels Ciutadans, 12 · 972 20 06 16
• Carrer Emili Grahit, 37 · 972 41 64 13

Links:

• Website: https://www.cambrapropietatgirona.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambrapropietat/

Ateneu Salvadora Catà

Ateneu Salvadora Catà occassionally organise protests against the housing problems in Girona. Their top post on X is a photo of the cathedral during Temps de Flors, with protestors holding up a sign that says "menys pisos turístics, més habitatge social"

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salvadoracata/?hl=en
• X: https://x.com/salvadoracata?lang=en