Renting a room: everything you need to know

The first step towards an adult life of independence and maturity. With the expansion of the real estate sector and the wide range of rooms for rent in urban centres, it is essential to know all the necessary steps to rent a room without any problems so that everything goes smoothly. 

Rental laws in Portugal: what you need to consider

First of all, it is extremely important to know the laws in Portugal regarding housing and renting rooms/houses. Study your responsibilities, rights and regulations in the co-operation between tenants and landlords so that you are prepared to enter the rental market without running the risk of being cheated or of situations that are not in accordance with the law.

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Portugal's tenancy law was originally called the New Urban Tenancy Regime (NRAU) and you should consult it to be aware of annual rent updates, possible repair or conservation works, evictions, landlord tax aspects or any matter related to your future room.

Also pay attention to the IRS Code and the possibility that the rental costs of immovable property for permanent housing (the value imposed on individual rental) could be reduced by 15% (up to the limit of 502 euros).

Choose a good location

Look to rent a room that has a location that suits your needs. The ideal is to be close to a supermarket, pharmacy, restaurants, convenience stores... It is also important to have transport within walking distance to facilitate quick access to the rest of the city.

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Find a quiet place where you can rest well at night without noise from the street. It's good to be near a garden so you can enjoy green space and fresh air, and be careful to choose an area that is safe.

Meet the landlord and clarify any doubts

Ideally, you should meet the landlord in person before making the decision to rent the room. Tell us a bit about yourself, share what your habits are, what your short and long-term plans are, what you like, what might bother you about sharing a house. Communicate honestly and openly so that they can reach an agreement and neither party regrets it later.  

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You can never reread a tenancy agreement too often

It is essential to be extremely careful when it comes to tenancy agreements. The contract between the landlord and tenant must be in writing and signed by both parties. It must contain the following points: the identification of the constituent parties (tenant and owner); identification of the property and specifically of the room that is to be rented; the duration of the contract; the price of the rent; the existence or not of a security deposit; the services that are included in the rent and the possibility of subletting the dwelling. A clause on the cancellation of the contract and its conditions should also be included.

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Check whether you will have a single contract for all those renting rooms in the property in question (so the contract will be in everyone's name) or an independent contract(being a contract for each tenant). Guarantees may also be included in the contract - if the tenants are students or people on a low income - in order to safeguard the payment of the monthly rent without disruption, and it is important to decide who your guarantee will be.

Rental costs: plan your budget

It is usually the point that is most discussed when renting a room: the sharing of common expenses. When you share a house with several people it is almost impossible to control and account for water, gas or electricity consumption individually, and timing how long your room-mate is in the shower is not the best option.

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Therefore, it is important that a decision is made in advance on which all tenants and landlord agree, and that everyone is responsible for reasonable consumption. They may split the cost equally or it may be included in the room rent in advance. And above all, remember that everyone pays for the shower!

Rights and obligations as a lessee

Remember, renting a room is a relatively straightforward process but it requires your full care and attention. We want everything to be in accordance with the law and for both parties to fulfil their duty and know their rights in the letting process. For you, as a tenant, you can include the rent of the room in the IRS if it is your main residence.

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If you are a student, you can deduct the amount of the room cost (with the common expenses) in the education expenses section. But don't forget that you have to be under 25, your educational establishment has to be recognised by the Ministry of Education and you have to mention on your invoices that you are a  student displaced at a distance of more than 50 km from your permanent residence.

Any works or remodelling in rented houses

Check when was the last time work was carried out on the flat, what was the year the building was built and the last date when improvements were made to the building. It is essential to know the age of the property you intend to rent to avoid having to pay for any possible works that might be required.

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If you confirm that the property has not been refurbished for a long time, try to negotiate with the landlord to carry out minor refurbishment work before handing over the deposit and moving into the new room. Also ask practical questions about possible changes to the room, such as hanging pictures, painting the walls or making changes to the electrical system. 

Do a lot of research, ask for advice, visit more than one room and follow our tips to find the perfect space!