Thanks Joanmalaga for your prompt reply, i,d like to rent in for maybe 1 or 2 months out of these periods either side of Xmas, just to clear up any confusion. I was thinking along the lines of a long holiday each time, rather than staying 6 months!. i wondered whether I,d have to pay for the extras mentioned for this amount of time?, the areas I,d be looking at are Fuengirola, La Cala, Estepona or around Banus as I,ve stayed around these places before. Hope this clears things up.