Spanish Court Clarifies Rental Contract Dates Under Article 9 LAU

Madrid, Spain – A recent court ruling in Torrejón has brought clarity to the interpretation of rental contract start and end dates under Article 9 of Spain's Urban Leases Law (LAU). In a case concluded on June 18, 2025, a lawyer successfully argued for the primacy of the contract signing or possession date over conflicting clauses within the agreement. The dispute centered on a rental contract where the tenant was given possession on April 15, but a clause stated the contract began on May 1, with economic effects commencing on May 15. This created ambiguity regarding the contract's true duration and termination date. According to the legal professional involved, Article 9 LAU dictates that in cases of doubt, the date the contract was signed or the date possession was taken (if later) should be considered the definitive start date. The judge's decision in Torrejón upheld this principle, affirming that the contract effectively began and, consequently, would terminate based on the April 15 date, not May 1. This ruling provides important guidance for both landlords and tenants navigating the complexities of rental agreements in Spain, emphasizing the legal weight of actual possession and contract signing dates.