Documents for Annual Rent Cap in Spain
What documents you need
To request the annual rent update cap gather the following documents and keep both digital and physical copies.
- Tenancy agreement signed by both parties.
- Receipts or transfers proving payment of rent and deposits.
- Written communications with the landlord: notices, proposals or responses.
- Proof of the applied index (CPI or another agreed index) and calculations supporting the update.
- Valuation reports, comparable listings or expert reports showing market value.
Always keep physical and digital copies of all documents.
How to submit the request
Notify the landlord in writing about the application of the cap, attaching the documentation and calculation. Keep proof of delivery and note dates. If there is disagreement, prepare a file with all documentation to submit a claim at the Court of First Instance.[2]
- Draft a letter or certified mail explaining the request and the grounds.
- Include receipts, the contract and index evidence.
- Seek advice if you do not receive a response within the term.
Deadlines and legal references
Updates are usually regulated by the Urban Leases Act and contractual agreements; review the consolidated LAU for your case[1]. Respect the notification deadlines in your contract and act within procedural deadlines if you take the matter to court.
Respond to notices and lawsuits within deadlines to avoid losing rights.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the annual rent update cap?
- It is the legal or agreed limit that restricts how much the rent can increase in a year, usually tied to an index such as the CPI.
- What documents should I provide to support the request?
- Tenancy agreement, payment receipts, communications with the landlord, calculations of the applied index and market or valuation reports.
- Where can I claim if the landlord does not apply the cap?
- First notify in writing; if there is no agreement, file a civil claim in the Court of First Instance with your evidence file.
How to
- Gather the contract, receipts, communications and proof of the index or valuation.
- Send a formal notice to the landlord with all documentation and request confirmation.
- If there is no agreement, file a claim in the Court of First Instance with your file.
- Keep copies and a record of all submissions and receipts until resolution.
Help and resources
- BOE - Consolidated text of the LAU
- Ministry of Justice - Procedural information
- Judicial Authority - Guides and forms
