Learning Spanish – False Friends

 False Friends – Amigos Falsos

If you rent long term on the Costa del Sol, learning Spanish can make your time here a lot more enjoyable. The Spanish people are very polite, and you find they are willing to help you much more if you make an effort to speak their language rather than just asking if they speak yours.

False friends are words in one language that are similar or identical to words in another, but whose meanings are different. Here are a few every day words that fall into this category. Hope this helps misunderstandings or indeed embarrassing moments!

New Rules For Pet Passports

Great news for pet owners, from January 1^st new regulations have been introduced for pet passports. Previously, owners have been required to wait six months for a rabies blood test certificate before their beloved pets to be returned to the UK, however the new regulations mean the animal can now be eligible to travel from just 21 days after vaccination.

Many people who rent long term on the Costa del Sol have dogs and cats so its excellent news that owners now have more freedom to easily bring them with them and take them back to the UK at will.

Looking after your Mediterranean garden in the winter

One of the joys of renting long term on the Costa del Sol is looking after your Mediterranean garden. Making sure that it looks as good as possible at every season of the year means you can enjoy sitting on your terrace all year round, basking in the long hours of sunshine.

Because roses are so readily associated with an English country garden, it is sometimes not realised how well they can grow in a Mediterranean climate. They really are quite resilient and need much less water than you think.

Sending and Receiving Christmas mail on the Costa del Sol

The Christmas season is fast approaching and the shops are already brimming with food and gifts for the merry occasion.  Many of us have friends and family that we won’t be able to see this Christmas but would like to send a card or present to instead, however it’s no secret that the Spanish postal service is less than reliable…

Changes to the Tenant Eviction Law

On Monday 30^th October a change to the eviction law came into effect meaning from this date onwards, any landlord in Spain who has a tenant in arrears can now issue a notice period of ten days to settle any outstanding rent. Once a judicial order has been served and 10 days’ notice has been given to clear rent arrears, tenants can only avoid eviction by paying the amount in full within the 10 days. If tenants fail to clear the arrears in that time, the eviction can then proceed without the need to take the case to court like would have in the past. This makes evicting any non-paying tenants much quicker and landlords will have the property back in a maximum of two to three months.

Costa del Sol Halloween Celebrations

Traditional Halloween activities in the UK usually involve dressing up with the kids, carving pumpkins to make scary lanterns, and knocking at neighbours doors for trick or treats. If you rent long term on the Costa del Sol in a secure area, these traditions are likely to stay the same, and you will see lots of little witches and ghosts running around with their goody bags. However, if you want to do something different for Halloween this year, or you do not live in a suitable area for trick or treating, there are many fun events in the area for the family to attend instead. Here is a list of some good Halloween events we found on Marbellafamilyfun.com

Featured Long Term Rental Property In Marbella

As we edge closer to the end of the summer season here in Spain, many long term rental properties are becoming vacant for the winter. This means if you are looking for a long term rental home in Spain, now is a great time to start looking.

There are some excellent properties available around the Costa del Sol, and thousands enjoy living here, whether they are right along the coast or up in the mountains. There really is something for everyone.

The great Spanish roads and public transport make it easy to travel around the different areas of the Costa del Sol and the rest of Spain, so you can really explore some great places to live which you might not have previously considered.

How to Pull – In Spanish!

Learning the language is essential if you rent long term in Spain or plan to. Its a great feeling to be able to communicate in another language, you can get a better feel for the culture and will impress your friends and family who don’t speak Spanish.

Meeting a new partner is very exciting wherever you are, but when they speak another language it can become a little scary and frustrating. So here are a few simple sentences to get you started on the dating scene from our resident Spanish teacher Michelle, good luck!

Looking after your health in Spain

When relocating to Spain, most people think of all the benefits such as great weather and a better lifestyle, we don’t like to think about bad health when moving to the Costa del Sol. However, if you rent long term in Spain or are planning to, it’s important to know what’s what when it comes to healthcare.

Opening a bank account in Spain – Quick Guide

Despite some of the stories going around about opening a bank account in Spain, it can be a relatively simple process. When it comes to finding work, paying bills, and settling in, it’s essential to open an account. For those of you who don’t speak much Spanish, here is a quick guide to opening a bank account here in Spain.