A woman renting an apartment in Palma went to the police to report that the woman who was sub-renting her spare room owed her €400, and in doing so mistakingly told her own landlords what she’d been doing without their permission. A Palma court has now backed them, which raises a question plenty of renters in Spain will be asking.

A routine police complaint gave her landlords the proof 

A tenant in Palma reported the woman she’d let a room to after she failed to pay her last month’s rent of €400, but that complaint to the National Police is how the flat’s owners found out someone else was living there.

The owners rented her the flat for €720 a month, and the contract expressly banned subletting. They went to court and the lease was ended, with the Provincial Court now upholding that decision and confirming she has to leave.

Her own police statement formed part of the evidence, alongside a Facebook advert offering the room and messages in which the owners made clear they hadn’t agreed to a sublet or to anyone else coming into the home.

Her argument that it was unfair didn’t work

The tenant argued that ending her lease was unfair and out of proportion, asking what would happen if a partner moved in with her, or a relative stayed for a while. The court wasn’t convinced, saying that if it accepted that reasoning, anyone could point to a situation like that to disguise a sublet and get round the ban in both the contract and the law.

It added that it makes no difference whether the other person is there for free or pays rent, though here it accepted that payment had been made.

What Spain’s rental law says about letting a room

Under Spain’s rental law, tenants can only sublet part of their home, never the whole thing, and only with the landlord’s written permission given beforehand. The rent charged for the sublet also can’t be more than the tenant pays under their own lease. If a tenant sublets without that permission, the landlord can ask for the contract to be terminated, which is exactly what happened here. So this isn’t a new restriction, just an existing rule being enforced.

It doesn’t mean having a partner, relative or friend to stay is grounds for eviction either. This case involved a paying room-renter in a flat where the contract banned it, and nothing reported suggests overnight guests were the issue. However, if someone is moving in rather than visiting, it’s worth checking what your contract says first.

What to do before letting out a spare room

So if you’re thinking of renting a room to help cover your rent, ask your landlord for consent in writing first, rather than working on the assumption that ‘I’m paying the rent, so it’s my call who lives here’. Keep a copy of the reply, and if the answer is no, don’t go ahead with it.

Laughter rang out across Miraflores Tennis Club in Mijas as La Cala Lions staged their fourth Memory Day for children living with cancer and other serious illness. Dedicated Lion Wynson Beswick once again pulled the day together, turning months of fundraising into an afternoon of games, water and family time that families say stays with them.

Wynson’s idea that gifts experience, not just presents

Wynson, a former club president and grandmother, first pushed for this format because toys get forgotten. “Can we give the children experiences? A memory of the day? That’s something that will stay with them forever,” she has said. Fellow Lions and friends answered her call again this year. Volunteers ran stalls, kept the barbecue going and made sure every child left with a gift voucher.

Fundación Olivares, AECC and ADIMI brought families they support. Andrés Olivares, who started the foundation after losing his son Luis to leukaemia, has called earlier editions “a marvellous thing” for families to share a beautiful day. Club members echoed that warmth. One Lion who helped last year wrote that it “really was a brilliant day for the children and their families.”

Pool, games and a barbecue built for special children

Kids piled onto an inflatable slide in the swimming pool, tried duck fishing and shuffleboard, painted bags and even had a go at the bodhrán. A magician worked the crowd while parents watched from the shade. More than a hundred people came last year; this fourth gathering kept that same busy, happy feel.

La Cala Lions have raised well over €1.5 million over the years for local causes, including earlier Memory Days and summer collections such as the Percy Pig bar crawl that went straight towards this fun day. Details and how to help are at lacalalions.org or on 607 879 450.

Wynson’s quiet persistence, and the Lions who back her, keep giving these children one carefree day they can carry home.

Periana will host its seventh Caminata con Esperanza charity walk on Sunday, October 4, for the Esperanza breast cancer association.

Starting at 10.50am, the event is organised by Periana Fitness and is open to people of all ages and abilities. Participants can walk or run at their own pace, supporting people affected by breast cancer, their families and loved ones in the Axarquia.

Event organisers had already recorded 643 registrations when it was presented last week, although anyone wanting to take part can still join on the day.

Music and a charity party

Once the walk finishes, Periana will keep the celebration going until the evening with a charity party featuring music, dancing, a raffle and a bar raising funds for the cause.

Local performers include the Caminos de Olivares choir, the San Isidro Panda de Verdiales, the Virgen del Carmen retirees’ association, dance groups led by Abraham Ortiz, DJ Jose Moreno, José Dance and performers providing a bachata show.

A group from the Peña Caballista will also lead the route, while businesses, volunteers and neighbouring municipalities including Alfarnatejo, Almáchar, El Borge and La Viñuela are supporting the day.

Supporting Esperanza

Association president María Ramos said the event is also intended to call for more resources for breast cancer research and greater support for people affected by the disease.

Esperanza, a non-profit organisation based in Velez-Malaga, provides psychological and social support, information, awareness activities and other services for people with cancer and their families. The association has also received funding to support cancer patients in rural Axarquia.

This year’s event artwork and T-shirt feature the Fuente or Pila de la Lomilleja, a local heritage site that has recently been restored. Designer Milagros Zamora said the choice was intended to give participants a small reminder of Periana to take home.

October 4 will be a chance to get active, meet neighbours too and support a local organisation locally helping people through cancer.