Imagine you own a well-located property and start receiving very different enquiries:
- A couple who need a home for four months
- A professional relocating for a project
- And someone who wants to settle in while looking for a permanent home
None quite fits the usual holiday rental model, but they are not seeking the same commitment as a tenancy intended to provide a permanent home either.
That is where flex living comes in.
The term has become popular as a way to describe housing rental arrangements with adaptable stays and management that resembles a service more closely than a traditional tenancy.
This model therefore opens up a range of opportunities for owners, allowing them to meet an emerging demand with their property.
For that reason, we have put together a short guide covering:
- What is meant by flex living
- How it differs from other rental models
- The services it usually includes
- And what you should check before offering flexible housing.
Let us start by clarifying the concept, then take you through the other details…
What Is Flex Living?
The flex living model is a type of housing rental that offers a residential stay with greater adaptability in duration, furnishings and services. It is usually aimed at people moving for work, study, family changes or a temporary need, although each operator sets its own conditions and target audience.
The short answer to what flex living is is this: a way to live in a property that is ready to move into, with more flexible management than a long-term let.
There is, however, an important qualification: the expression is used in the market, but does not in itself create a new legal framework. The existing framework still applies.
That is why discussing flex living or flexible housing as some people call it means discussing Spain’s Urban Leases Act, and a model that, in practice, should offer:
- An equipped property: furniture, a kitchen and the essentials ready to use from day one.
- Simplified management: booking, documentation, payments and communication brought together in a single process.
- Associated services: utilities, regular cleaning, maintenance or resident support, depending on the specific offering.
- Stays tailored to a need: periods connected with work, study, relocation, renovation of a main home or another temporary reason that can be documented.
With that clarified and the concept defined, let us move on to the next point.
How to Run Flexible Housing Rentals
A flexible housing rental starts with a property that is ready for immediate residential use. On that basis, the owner, either directly or through a management company, takes on a more active operation than a conventional letting requires.
That operation can include many different services:
- Handing over keys
- Managing utilities
- Resolving problems
- Cleaning between stays…
Naturally, each service adds value for the tenant, and this is usually reflected in a higher price. That is why the model can be more profitable when managed properly.
There is another essential point to consider: how long a contract lasts for it to be considered “flex living”.
So let us look at what Spain’s Urban Leases Act, known as the LAU, says:
The LAU defines a residential tenancy as one intended to meet the tenant’s permanent housing need, while temporary lets fall within uses other than permanent housing.
Take care here, because the name of the contract is not enough. The reason for the stay, the documentation and the property’s actual use must be consistent.
A property intended for visitors, a temporary stay for work and a main residence can require different treatment. If you plan to offer flexible rentals, you need to be clear about these distinctions before embarking on the project.
Do not worry, though: we explain them in the next section.
Differences Between Flex Living, Traditional Letting and Holiday Rentals
You may well have questions, so let us clarify these concepts:
- Flex living: residential stays linked to a specific need. You need an equipped property, with services that vary according to the offering.
- Traditional letting: meets a permanent housing need. It involves less turnover and a more stable relationship, with specific rules on duration, safeguards and applicable rights.
- Holiday rentals: cater for tourist stays and require an operation with greater turnover, marketing and guest support. Tourism regulations, registration, owners’ association rules and local requirements must be checked before advertising.
With that in mind, which model is best for you?
The choice depends on more than the monthly income you imagine earning. Property availability, the type of demand, operating costs, regulations and your need to recover the property for personal use, which may also arise, all matter.
For example, a property near a hospital, university or business district may attract temporary residents. Before assuming that it will, assess how long that demand lasts, what services those residents expect and whether the building allows the intended use.
What Services Do Flex Living Apartments Include?
When people talk about flex living, they often picture a home that is ready to use, but the reality is not quite that simple.
The picture is broader: some offerings include utilities and cleaning, while others provide only furniture and digital contract management.
The most common services are:
- Full equipment: furniture, kitchenware and appliances for a quick move-in.
- Managed utilities: electricity, water, internet or other items included in the price or settled separately.
- Maintenance: a clear way to resolve breakdowns and minor problems.
- Cleaning: between residents, at regular intervals or on request, depending on the model.
- Resident support: assistance during the stay, particularly useful for someone arriving from another city or country.
In any case, what matters to you as an owner is the net cost. A higher charge may be justified if it reduces turnover, tasks and the unexpected problems typical of holiday rentals.
You also need to calculate utilities, maintenance, management, insurance, marketing and unoccupied periods to see whether this is the model that suits you best.
Benefits and Limitations for Owners and Residents
The main benefit for residents is being able to arrive at an equipped home without having to set everything up themselves.
For owners, it can open up demand beyond tourism and long-term letting, provided the property and area make sense for that audience.
But be careful, because there are limitations too.
Greater flexibility usually means more coordination, more turnover than a stable tenancy and a cost structure you need to keep under control.
The property must also stay in good condition, services need to be described clearly and problems require a prompt response, to the standard typically expected in holiday rentals.
Before proceeding, review these points:
- The property’s intended use: identify whether the stay meets a temporary, permanent or tourist need.
- Local regulations: check registration or licensing requirements that could affect the activity.
- Owners’ association: consult the building’s applicable rules and resolutions.
- Contract and documentation: accurately set out the duration, reason for the stay, utilities, deposits, rules of use and responsibilities.
- Profit and loss: calculate income, expenses and operational workload before setting a rate.
Who Looks for Flexible Accommodation?
The flexible accommodation model usually appeals to people who need a home for a defined period but do not want to organise a full move.
For example:
- Professionals relocating for work
- Postgraduate students
- People moving between homes
- Families renovating their home
- Entire teams from a company…
But let us stress this again, to help you avoid problems later: describing a property as flexible is not enough.
Your listing must answer residents’ questions: whether there is internet, which expenses are included, how the stay is formalised, the minimum duration and whom to contact if a problem arises.
The clearer things are before booking or signing, the fewer problems you face afterwards. Trust us on that.
Regulations and Checks for Property Owners
Regulation requires the greatest care, because Spain has no single national legal category called flex living, and requirements can vary between autonomous communities and municipalities.
In addition, recent rulings on short-term rentals reinforce the importance of documenting the purpose of a stay, while a ruling published in Spain’s Official State Gazette distinguishes temporary lets from tourist use. There is therefore an emerging degree of legal certainty sufficient to operate within this framework, but always discuss your particular case with an expert.
Finally, check the planning use permitted in your area, owners’ association rules, information obligations, any registration that may apply and the tax treatment of the services you provide.
Could Flex Living Fit Your Strategy?
Yes, flex living can suit you if your property is in an area with demand for temporary residential accommodation, you can provide a quality experience and the legal framework allows the intended use.
But do not commit to one model without considering the alternatives. Base your decision on the figures. If you need to assess your particular circumstances, Home2Book is a holiday rental management company that also handles traditional and temporary lets. We currently manage more than 700 properties and can help you assess your situation with no obligation.
