Guide for Holiday Rental Owners in Marbella- Holiday rentals in Marbella

Holiday Rental Marbella

Essential Contracts and Insurance for Holiday Rental Owners in Marbella

November 13, 2025

Holiday rental owners in Marbella have an excellent opportunity for investment and income generation. With constant demand from both national and international tourists, many property owners are converting their homes into holiday accommodation. However, to operate with guarantees and peace of mind, two fundamental pillars must be in order: the right contracts and the specific insurance required for holiday rentals.

At GuestMarbella, we specialise in the professional management of tourist properties, and we know that a solid legal and insurance foundation is the best way to protect your home, your income, and your reputation as a host. In this article, we guide you through the essential contracts and the insurance every holiday rental owner in Marbella should know and implement.

Essential Contracts for Holiday Rental Owners in Marbella

1. Tourist Use Rental Agreement

Although many platforms such as Airbnb automate the booking process, as a homeowner it is always advisable to have a private contract regulating the relationship between guest and host. This agreement may be verbal, but the ideal option is a written document signed either digitally or physically.

Key clauses that must be included:

Property owner and guest details (full name, ID/passport, address)
Check-in and check-out dates
Total rental price and payment method
Cancellation conditions
Property usage rules
Liability for damage or breakages
Security deposit clause (if applicable)
Signature of both parties

This document protects your rights as well as the guest’s, and can be very useful in the event of disputes or claims.

2. Management Contract with a Specialist Company

If you choose to delegate the management of your property—as many owners in Marbella do—you must sign a service agreement with the responsible company. This contract should specify:

Included services (check-in, cleaning, maintenance, marketing…)
Duration of the agreement
Commission percentage or fee
Obligations of both parties
Liability in the event of damage, theft or cancellations

At GuestMarbella, we offer fully transparent contracts tailored to each type of property and requirement, always guaranteeing the protection of the property owner.

3. Required Authorisations (if applicable)

If the property belongs to several co-owners or is located in a community with specific regulations, it may be necessary to obtain written authorisations or shared-use agreements.

It is also advisable to register the property in the Andalusian Tourism Registry, for which having all legal documentation up to date is essential.

Essential Insurance for Holiday Rentals in Marbella

Having your property insured is not only a moral obligation but also a legal and economic safeguard. Holiday rentals have particular characteristics that are not always covered by traditional home insurance policies.

1. Public Liability Insurance

This policy covers personal or material damage that guests may suffer during their stay in your property.

Examples of covered situations:

A guest slips in the shower and gets injured
A water leak damages the neighbour’s apartment
An electrical appliance malfunction causes a short circuit

Public liability insurance is mandatory if you rent the property for tourist purposes and it is registered with the Andalusian authorities.

2. Multi-risk Home Insurance Adapted to Holiday Rentals

Unlike standard home insurance, this type of policy includes specific coverage for properties with a constant change of occupants:

Structural and contents damage
Theft or vandalism caused by guests
Fire, flooding or breakdowns
24/7 emergency assistance

It is important to carefully review the policy to ensure that it covers third-party damage (guests) and not only incidents caused by the insured owner.

3. Reservation Cancellation Insurance (optional)

This insurance protects you in cases of last-minute cancellations, illness, natural disasters or even pandemics. Some management companies or booking platforms offer this type of coverage as an additional service.

There are also specific policies that reimburse owners if a guest fails to pay or leaves the property earlier than agreed.

4. Non-payment and Intensive Use Damage Insurance

Although more common in long-term rentals, some insurers are beginning to offer specific products for non-payment in holiday rentals, especially when bookings are made outside large platforms.

This can be useful for Holiday Rental Owners in Marbella who also rent their property through private channels or recurring agreements.

Recommendations to Avoid Legal or Insurance Issues

Draft Clear House Rules

Attach a document to each booking outlining all property rules: use of communal areas, coexistence norms, quiet hours, no parties or smoking, etc.

This prevents inappropriate behaviour and supports you if intervention is necessary.

Create a Detailed Inventory

Prepare a list of all items and equipment, and take photos before each stay. This will help you prove possible damage or theft and submit claims to the insurer or the guest.

Use Smart Locking Systems

Avoid issues with keys, theft or unauthorised access by using smart locks with temporary codes, home automation access systems or electronic safes.

Rely on Professionals

Having an expert team like GuestMarbella helps you avoid common mistakes, comply with current legislation and respond efficiently to any incident.

Benefits of Proper Legal and Insurance Coverage

Total peace of mind for the owner
Financial protection against serious incidents
Improved image among guests (who value professionalism)
Easier resolution of conflicts or claims
Legal compliance with tourism authorities