Renting an apartment from a private owner in Alcocéber is the rule, not the exception: in this town on the Castellón coast (Alcossebre, Alcalà de Xivert) almost every holiday apartment belongs to a family who bought it for their summers and lets it out in the weeks they don't use it. So when you search for "private holiday rentals in Alcossebre", what you're really choosing is how to rent it: dealing directly with the owner or through an agency that manages their apartment.
Both options are legitimate, and many Spanish families from Aragón, Navarra or the Basque Country have been going back to the same owner for years. Here we explain what changes in each case, so you can decide with all the information.
Private owners and agencies: the same apartment, different management
Many of the apartments an Alcocéber agency rents out actually belong to private owners who have handed the letting over to it. That's the case for many of those managed by Casa Azahar in more than twenty buildings around town, from Las Fuentes and the marina to Cargador, Playa Romana and the Serra d'Irta. The owner is still a private individual; the agency handles the booking, keys, cleaning and help during your stay.
What changes when you rent from the owner or through an agency
| Aspect | Directly from the owner | Through an agency that manages it |
|---|---|---|
| Booking and contract | You agree it with the owner; always ask for the terms in writing | Terms published before you book and the same for all its apartments |
| Deposit | Depends on each owner: ask how much it is and when it's returned | Terms set by the agency and given to you when you book |
| Cleaning and linen | Varies: sometimes you clean before leaving | Cleaning between guests handled by the agency; check the listing for what's included |
| Keys | You meet the owner or a relative or neighbour | Collected from the office; Casa Azahar's is at Avenida Las Fuentes, 11 |
| Problems | You call the owner, who may live far away | Maintenance team in town |
| Tourist licence | The owner must have one if letting for 10 nights or fewer | The agency shows the registration number in the listing |
| Invoice | Ask at least for a receipt with the owner's details | It's a company: it can invoice you for the stay |
| Service | Direct and personal; sometimes flexible on dates | Professional; you can compare several buildings and areas in one place |
Neither option is right or wrong. There are very careful private owners who keep their apartment spotless and answer the phone at any hour. What matters is that you know what to ask before you pay.
Renting from a private owner: what to ask before you pay
- Does it have a tourist registration number? For stays of 10 nights or fewer, the property must be listed in the Valencian Community Tourism Register and the number has to appear in the listing. We explain it in the guide to the tourist rental licence.
- What does the price include? Bed linen and towels, final cleaning, parking, pool (and the dates it's open).
- How much is the deposit and when is it returned? Best to have it in writing.
- Who hands over the keys and at what time? If you're driving a long way, you won't want to wait at the door.
- Who do you call if something breaks? A name and a phone number, before you leave home.
- What's the exact address? Building, apartment number and floor.
How to avoid holiday rental scams
Fake holiday rental scams exist all along the coast, and Alcocéber is no exception. They almost always follow the same pattern: an attractive listing, a very low price and a rush to get paid. These tips protect you whether you rent from a private owner or a company:
- Don't pay by bank transfer, money order or money transfer to someone you can't identify. If the listing is on a booking site, pay through the site and don't agree to pay outside it.
- Check the tourist registration number in the listing. If it isn't there, ask for it along with the exact address; a legal advertiser will give it to you without any fuss.
- Be wary of prices far below normal, especially in July and August, and of offers that are "only valid today".
- Check that the building exists and matches the photos: look up the address on a map and compare the façade, pool and views. Our directory of complexes in Alcocéber lists the town's buildings with their area and a photo.
- Ask for a phone call or a video call from the apartment. Anyone who can't show it to you probably doesn't have it.
- Keep everything in writing: listing, messages, terms and proof of payment.
If something doesn't add up, don't pay. There will always be another apartment.
Private rentals all year round and by the month
Outside the summer, private owners' apartments in Alcocéber are also let by the week, by the month or for spending the winter by the sea. Long stays have their own rules and their own type of contract. For the summer, see how renting by the week or fortnight works.
Private owners' apartments on the Costa Azahar with the peace of mind of an agency
If you like the idea of staying in a family's apartment but would rather not depend on one person for the keys and any problems, the middle way is a local agency. Casa Azahar rents out apartments belonging to Alcocéber owners, with a registered tourist licence, key collection at its office, and its own cleaning and maintenance, and you can compare them by area before booking.
See Casa Azahar apartments in Alcocéber
Are you the private owner? If you let your apartment yourself and would like to hand over the keys, cleaning and paperwork, see how much you can earn renting out an apartment in Alcossebre or ask for an estimate on the owner management page.