Getting Your Property Ready for the 2030 World Cup

Morocco co-hosts the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. If you own a property you are thinking of renting out, the useful question is not "how much will I make" but "what needs fixing, and in what order". The deadline looks distant, and that is exactly what makes it valuable: work done without urgency costs considerably less than work done in a rush, when every craftsman in a city is booked at once. Here is a methodical way to approach it.

Why start now rather than in 2029

This is the one piece of advice here that will certainly save you money. When a deadline approaches and demand for work compresses into a few months, two things happen mechanically: prices rise, and the best craftsmen are already booked. You end up paying more for someone you would not have chosen in normal times. Spreading the work across seasons lets you compare quotes, try a craftsman on a small job before trusting him with a big one, and negotiate from a comfortable position.

The logical order of work

The classic mistake is starting with what shows. You repaint, and six months later a leak ruins the fresh wall. The order that stops you paying twice is always the same: what protects, then what functions, then what shows.

1. Waterproofing and damp. Terrace, seals, rising damp. Everything else depends on this.
2. Plumbing. Leaks, slow drains, a water heater near the end of its life — these are the failures that ruin a stay and produce a bad review.
3. Electrics. Enough sockets, a compliant board, decent lighting in every room.
4. Joinery and closures. Doors that close, reliable locks, windows that seal.
5. Paint and finishes. Last, once nothing behind them is still moving.
6. Deep clean. Immediately before letting, not before the work.

What actually matters to a short-stay guest

A visitor does not judge a property the way a buyer does. They are not assessing its value; they are assessing whether they slept well. In practice a handful of things weigh far more than the rest: hot water that works at any hour, a decent bed, air conditioning or heating that functions for the season, a stable internet connection, and spotless cleanliness. A modest but immaculate flat is rated better than a luxurious one with a temperamental water heater.

What to budget, and how not to get it wrong

There is no standard budget — it depends entirely on the starting condition. The reliable method is to have one craftsman per trade come and assess before you set an envelope. Ask for written quotes separating labour from materials; how to read them is covered in our guide to trustworthy craftsmen. And be wary of a single global quote for the whole property: it is impossible to compare and easy to inflate.

One craftsman at a time, or a full team?

For a property needing a full overhaul there are two approaches. Coordinating each trade yourself costs less but demands time and presence: you manage the sequence, and a delay from the plumber pushes back the painter. Going through someone who takes on the whole job costs more but removes the coordination from your plate. If you do not live locally — common for a rental property — the second option is often the realistic one, provided you have someone you trust.

Build your contact list now

This is the most useful asset you can build between now and then. A rental property needs quick, repeated interventions: a leak between two guests, a lock to change on a Sunday. Already having a plumber, an electrician and a cleaner you know — and who know you — beats searching under pressure every time. Start with small jobs, note who answers quickly and holds their prices, and keep them. You can save craftsmen to your favourites so you can find them again without searching.

Frequently asked questions

To get moving: find a plumber or a painter in your city, or post a request describing the whole job. If your property is already let, read maintenance between guests as well.