Marcela, a 27-year-old English teacher from Jaén, arrived in Madrid in January 2026, eager to start her new life. She had secured a teaching position in Carabanchel, a promising step in her career. Initially, she stayed with relatives in Chamberí, but their return to Andalusia left her facing the daunting task of finding her own accommodation in one of Spain’s most challenging rental markets. What she encountered was a journey filled with peculiar offers, culminating in a surprising proposition to live in a convent with a strict curfew.
The Illusion of a Perfect Apartment
Marcela’s search began with the usual optimism. She stumbled upon an advertisement on Idealista for a seemingly perfect, newly renovated apartment in the Gaztambide neighborhood. The photos depicted pristine white walls, parquet flooring, and modern appliances. “It was ideal,” she told Infobae, recalling her excitement. “I needed to move as soon as possible, and this place offered immediate entry.”
However, the advertisement was conspicuously silent about one crucial detail: the location. The photos focused solely on the interior, offering no clues about the building’s exterior or its surroundings. This omission would soon lead Marcela to a revelation far removed from her expectations of a modern city apartment.
A Convent, Not an Apartment Block
Upon arriving at the address, Marcela was met with confusion. Instead of a typical apartment building, she found herself in front of what appeared to be a convent. A hand-written sign on the door, stating “We are not nuns, do not call here,” only added to the enigma. It was a stark contrast to the sleek images she had seen online.
Further investigation revealed a hidden gateway leading to a multi-story building situated opposite a church, connected by a small staircase. “I greeted them and asked if it was in that building, which looked like a convent,” Marcela recounted. “They told me that nuns lived upstairs, and downstairs, they were renovating to rent rooms to girls.”
This unexpected discovery was just the beginning of a series of revelations that would underscore the desperate state of Madrid’s rental market, where even unconventional living arrangements are presented as viable options.
The Unwritten Rules of Convent Living
The online advertisement for the room described it as a two-bedroom apartment, “ideal for studying, as it overlooks an adjoining patio, allowing in plenty of light but very little noise from cars or people walking.” It was situated in “one of the most sought-after areas for students.” The price for this unique living situation, offered exclusively to women aged 18 to 33, was 720 euros per month. An additional 85 euros covered utilities, bringing the total to 805 euros.
However, during her visit, Marcela discovered several unadvertised conditions. The most striking was a strict curfew. “At nine o’clock, the doorman closes the door. They give you keys in case you arrive a little later, but you have to keep in mind that the gate closes at that time,” she explained. Even more restrictive was the rule against overnight guests. “Nobody could stay overnight because they had a bad experience; they saw a boy smoking without a shirt and were scandalized. They said it was a place for prayer, so they wanted tranquility.”
These conditions, which were only disclosed in the pre-rental contract, proved to be a deal-breaker for Marcela. “I am from Andalusia, and if someone comes to visit me, they have to find a hotel because they cannot stay with me to sleep, because the beds are single,” she argued. Adding to her discomfort, despite the renovations, the bathroom was so tiny it was barely functional. “The bathroom was a single tile; you had to juggle to get into the shower tray.”
A Broader Crisis: Temporary Contracts and Skyrocketing Rents
Marcela’s experience is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger problem plaguing the Spanish rental market. Isabel Rodríguez, the Minister of Housing and Urban Agenda, has publicly criticized the proliferation of temporary rental contracts, often for less than a year, calling it an “anomaly.” She advocates for more comprehensive market regulation to protect families and students from exploitation.
The scarcity of available properties and the skyrocketing demand have created a landlord’s market, where tenants often face exorbitant prices and unreasonable conditions. Many advertisements disappear almost as soon as they are posted, and those who secure viewings often find the reality far different from the online descriptions.
The Ongoing Search and the Cost of Opportunity
Marcela’s month-long search has been a “journey,” as she describes it. The convent offer was not the only peculiar experience. She recounted visiting another apartment in the Goya neighborhood, where she was greeted by an 80-year-old woman with recently operated eyelids who insisted she remove her shoes before entering. In total, Marcela has visited over ten properties, setting herself a one-week deadline to find a place.
Currently, she is staying with a friend, contemplating the difficult choice of moving further from the city center, which would entail a two-hour commute to work. The thought of returning to Jaén has also crossed her mind, but doing so would mean losing her current job placement and being unable to apply for another for two years.
“The salary in Madrid is much higher than in other communities, and it gives you experience and points that others don’t,” she lamented, highlighting the difficult position many young professionals face when trying to build a career in the capital.
Marcela’s story is a poignant illustration of the challenges faced by countless individuals navigating Madrid’s unforgiving rental landscape. It underscores the urgent need for effective housing policies that balance market demands with the fundamental right to affordable and dignified living conditions.
Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/2026/04/20/vivir-en-un-convento-con-toque-de-queda-por-800-euros-al-mes-la-oferta-de-alquiler-que-ha-sorprendido-a-una-profesora-en-madrid/
