Where to buy furniture in Mallorca

[Bumblebee]

Hi everyone,

We are thinking of buying an apartment in Mallorca and were wondering if anyone has any advice on where to go to buy reasonably priced furniture there. We know that there is an IKEA, but are there other shops on Mallorca along the same lines i.e. reasonably priced, fairly decent quality?

Any help information would be great, thanks
Jenny

[James3214]

Head to Manacor on the east side of the island. It's the furniture town on the island with the factories that make it in the neighbourhood. I have bought nearly all of my furniture there and I find it generally very well made but make sure you negotiate to get a bargain.

[Bumblebee]

Thanks James, that's helpful. Do you know if these outlet places deliver, or would you recommend hiring a larger vehicle at the airport?
Cheers
Jenny

[James3214]

No, most deliver for free to the whole of the island if it is more than say a certain amount (300€ at my favourite http://www.muebleslafabrica.com/tienda-muebles-manacor). If it's not included then ask that they deliver it for free as part of the deal.

[Bumblebee]

That's great James. Not sure my spanish is up to haggling, but will see what happens if we decide to go ahead with the purchase
Jenny

[Nemo]

I'm sure you're aware of the issues with renting out a property in Mallorca and licenses Jenny. I'm no expert but have several friends caught up in the issue. I just stumbled across this on the subject written by a Spanish lawyer that looks interesting.

http://www.seemallorca.com/property-letting

[Bumblebee]

Hi Nemo,
Thanks for this. I am already aware but the article is very clear and sets out the situation well. I have been in touch with a local letting agent, who has a tenancy agreement that I can purchase for use that stays the right side of the law. Basically I have to make sure that I have the right tenancy agreement and that in my advert I don't mention anything about 'holidays'. You're not supposed to mention anything such as supplying bedlinen and towels, or airport transfers (even if you do supply them) that could be construed as providing a service. People on Mallorca seem confident that the situation will change but it's not a given, and with the General Election in Spain at the end of the year and the socialist party doing well in the polls, it's hard to know what will happen. But the £ is doing well at present and we thought it might be a good time to buy!

And that's a lesson in how to kill your tourism industry eh?

[James3214]

I gave up renting my small flat out as a holiday let years ago. It is just not worth the hassle, although I do let family and friends (and returning renters) use it to help me cover my costs.
I know a lot of apartment owners do it, but if you are going to advertise it on the internet then be careful as they often use the listing sites to find out who is renting commercially. Your renters might get a knock at the door one day and you could end up with a large fine for even a first offence.
The hotel lobby is very strong in the Balearics and they don't want competitors that sometimes but not always flout the laws and regulations for a tax free quick buck!
What might also be a problem is the 'Communidad' or the other of owners of the building, who often might object to the different people in your apartment every week or two. They might even report you to the authorities themselves!
Enjoy the apartment but be careful as it sounds like you are doing a good deal with the weak € at the moment.

[Bumblebee]

Thanks for the advice James. All of these things have been a concern but it is an apartment on a complex where we have holidayed for the past 6 years and we know quite a few of the other owners, which is one of the reasons for being reasonably confident. I'm not really looking to make a quick tax-free buck, so if you have the contact details of a decent accountant in Mallorca that would be useful. I'll be filling in a tax return for it in the UK but am keen to do everything legally and make sure it is declared to the right authorities in both countries.
ATB
Jenny

[harcourtv57]

Hi Jenny

We too have an apartment in Mallorca purchased last June. Currently not let due to the issues already described although that was the original plan. James is right about Manacor and the furniture outlets but we found them to be pretty expensive. There is another furniture shop in the large shopping mall north of Palma (sorry forget the name!). We got our beds and wardrobes from Ikea, but found some good furniture bargains and household bits and pieces at a recycling centre (there are a few of these on the island). I'm into painting furniture so refurbished them - but paint is also expensive with not too much choice!

Good luck with your purchase - we only wish the rate had been the same last June !

[Bumblebee]

Thanks for the additional info. We've booked flights to go out in March and view some apartments. We've also arranged to meet with a lawyer and a letting agent to try to get to the bottom of what we can and can't do with regards to letting. It's just not feasible to buy without being able to rent, but I want to make sure that if we do, then we are abiding by the law.

Where are the recycling places? We're hoping to buy somewhere in the South East. Are there any near to there?
Cheers
Jenny