What a long-term rental contract in Mallorca actually says
Five years, one year, or eleven months — the difference matters more than most arrivals expect.
Spanish tenancy law gives a residential tenant a good deal more protection than newcomers assume, and the length written on the front page is rarely the length that counts.
The five-year rule
A residential contract with a private landlord runs for a minimum of five years at the tenant's option, even if the paper says one. The landlord cannot simply decline to renew; the tenant can leave after six months with a month's notice.
Why you see eleven months
An eleven-month contract is a seasonal let, and seasonal lets fall outside that protection. They are legitimate when the use really is seasonal. They are not a way to dodge the five-year rule, and a court will look at the substance rather than the label.
What to check before you sign
- Is the property registered, and does the licence match the use?
- Who pays the community fees, the IBI and the rubbish charge?
- Is the deposit one month or two, and is it lodged where it should be?
- What exactly counts as a repair the landlord owes you?
None of this is exotic. It just does not survive being skimmed.
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