In Spain, around 3.5 million families own a second home. These properties sit mostly closed for long stretches, with leisure usage reduced in many cases. Faced with this, many owners are shifting toward making money from these houses rather than letting them sit idle. A growing solution is the medium-term lease, typically spanning from one to twelve months. This approach lets owners monetize their properties and turn them into solid investments and reliable income streams. Spotahome, a leading platform in Europe for real estate rentals, emphasizes this trend in the sector.
Advantages of renting a medium-term second home
Beyond financial gains, renting a second home on a medium-term basis relieves owners of ongoing worries. Well-maintained properties and fewer maintenance headaches are common when homes are rented for set periods. The format also offers greater flexibility compared to traditional leases because owners determine when the property is ready for use, without long-term ties to a single tenant.
In 2022, data from Spotahome showed a doubling in the number of households choosing medium-term rentals to enjoy their homes during specific seasons, highlighting the growing appeal of this arrangement.
These arrangements have become a recognizable trend, enabling owners to rent second homes during low-demand periods and switch to holiday rentals in peak seasons, maximizing occupancy and revenue throughout the year.
Medium-term rentals to deter squatting
Another point highlighted by Spotahome is that medium-term rentals can deter unauthorized occupancy of residential properties. Occupancy issues in vacant homes have a long history, with neighborhoods concerned about illegal settlements and the complications that follow. A medium-term rental strategy is presented as a practical option to minimize such risks and keep homes secure during idle periods.
Recent statistics show that more than 10,200 trespass or related offenses were recorded in Spain in the first half of the year, across all property types, underscoring the importance of protective rental solutions.
To address these risks, Spotahome offers a program designed to protect owners when they rent. The Spotahome Plus Plan provides several safeguards that help ensure smooth rental operations and minimize common issues for property owners.
The Plus Plan includes guaranteed rental income by the 5th of every month, since the platform itself handles payments directly to the owner. It also uses screening technology to verify potential tenants, checking identity and reducing risks such as prior non-payment or other red flags.
Additionally, the Plus Plan pays the landlord the equivalent of two months’ rent if a problem arises, allows up to a month of early exit by agreement, and includes damage protection for the property and the tenant. These features are designed to provide reassurance to owners while expanding the options for responsible, mid-length rentals.