Rental Registration Number: Mandatory Requirement for Leasing in 2025

Royal Decree 1312/2024, which entered into force on 2 January 2024 and will become fully effective on 1 July 2025, represents a turning point in the Spanish rental sector. This new regulatory framework introduces a requirement that will fundamentally change the way leases are managed: the mandatory Rental Registration Number for short-term rentals. The measure aims to professionalize the sector and provide greater transparency and security for both landlords and tenants.

 

What is the Rental Registration Number and why is it mandatory?

The Rental Registration Number is a unique identifier. This new system is far more than a mere administrative formality. It constitutes a control mechanism affecting:

• Private property owners

• Rental management companies

• Digital platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.

Requirements for obtaining the new Rental Registration Number

The Rental Registration Number entails a set of obligations and requirements that landlords must meet:

• Mandatory prior registration: No property may be listed on rental platforms without this registration number.

• Extensive documentation. The application requires:

  • Specific address and Unique Registry Code (Código Registral Único, CRU),

  • Cadastral reference,

  • Type of unit and detailed characteristics,

  • Documentation regarding valid titles,

  • Information regarding the property owners’ association regime,

  • Specific technical certifications.

• Rigorous verification. Article 10 establishes a qualification procedure by the Registrar, who will verify all submitted documentation.

The complexity of the application process

Although the application procedure for the Rental Registration Number might seem straightforward at first glance, it conceals a number of technical complexities requiring specific expertise and prior preparation:

🔹 If the owner does not have the CRU, they must request a “nota simple” (property registry extract) from the corresponding Land Registry, which entails an additional administrative step.

🔹 The application must be submitted electronically through the platform of the College of Registrars, requiring a valid digital certificate or Cl@ve system access.

🔹 For properties subject to a horizontal property regime (such as condominiums), specific documentation regarding decisions made by the homeowners’ association must be provided.

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What happens after obtaining the Rental Registration Number?

Obtaining the number is only the first step. From that point onwards, landlords must comply with new obligations:

1. Update information in case of any changes.
2. Submit periodic reports: Every 12 months, a report must be filed, including an anonymized list of leases, a justification of the rental purpose, and any additional documents that may be requested.
3. Accept continuous monitoring: Platforms will carry out random and periodic verifications.

Penalties for non-compliance with the registration system

The new regulations impose strict penalties for failure to comply:

• Immediate suspension of the Rental Registration Number: If deficiencies are detected, landlords have only 7 business days to rectify them.

• Advertisement removal: Platforms must remove property listings within 48 hours if the number is suspended.

• Disqualification: Misuse may result in the permanent revocation of the Registration Number.

Factors that add complexity to the process

The process becomes even more complex when considering factors such as:

• Different categories and types of rental: Properties intended for temporary use vs. tourist accommodation.

• Specific requirements depending on the nature of the property: Rural, urban, condominium communities…

• Interaction with multiple authorities: Both at state and regional levels.

• Management of the Digital Single Window: A tool for electronic data transmission between online platforms.

• Coordination with online rental platforms.

Key deadlines you cannot miss

• Entry into force: 2 January 2025,

• Full effectiveness: 1 July 2025,

• Deadline for rectifying errors: 7 business days,

• Information update obligation: Every 12 months.

 

✅​ The process of obtaining and managing the Rental Registration Number requires specialized legal and technical knowledge. Consult our corporate advisory services and discover how we can assist you in optimizing your real estate investment.