The best thing to do is find a short term place to stay for a few days, 2 weeks or even up to a full month if you are really picky.
You can consider a hostel, hotel, or no frills rooms for 15 & 20 euros a night (one week minimum).
You can set up some viewings before you get here and then once you are here get the Segundamano Newspaper, the latest In Madrid newspaper and check the local notice boards. You could use the first few days to get to know / explore the Madrid neighborhoods and meet some Spanish speaking people who can help you phone some of the landlords.

Some websites that you can check out are:
www.in-madrid.com, www.spainclassifieds.org, www.segundamano.es, www.idealista.com, www.gabinohome.com/ingles/madrid.php, www.spainexchange.com, www.tbs.com.es/classifieds, www.madrid.loquo.com,
www.campusanuncios.com, www.easyroommate.com, www.iagora.com/ihousing/Spain/Madrid/, www.expatriates.com/classifieds/mdr/hs/, www.easyexpat.com/madrid_en/accommodation_rent-house-flat.htm

Here is a list of Landlords that you can contact:
Metro: Quevedo: San Bernardo, 119 - Rooms in shared flats for 300 to 360 euros and other apartments around Madrid.
Jose Sainz & Chelo Pozo (7th floor)
Email: jsterreros@eresmas.com
Tel. 654-538-163 / 656-967-442

Metro: Arguelles: Benito Gutierrez, 27 (1st & 5th floors) - Small studios & rooms in shared flats for 350 to 600 euros.
Some with own bathrooms and DSL internet
connections.
Antonio Galvez (5th floor)
Email: resiuniversitaria@hotmail.com
Tel. 637-137-888 / 912-240-268

Benito Gutierrez, 27 (4th floor) - Rooms in shared flats for 300 to
360 euros.
Paula & Jose-Maria Herranz
Email: polsema2@yahoo.es
Tel. 637-867-681 / 637-867-621

Various offers of single and double rooms in shared flats. Some with TV & DSL.
Bernar Caldevilla
Email: PAMIBERNAR@terra.es / mispiesdefuego@hotmail.com
Tel. 609-411163

Variou offers.
Paula Correa
Email: paolandrea@yahoo.com / pcorrea@aena.es / mcorrea147@yahoo.com
Tel. 625-103-299 / 665-834-926 / 679-303-648

Metro: Callao / Gran Via: Gran Via, Tudesco, Miguel Moya, Madera, Galileo, Coredera Bajo de
San Pablo. Single and double rooms in shared flats Small Studios and Duplexes.
Maria Cortez
Tel. 915-596-664 / 630-168-019 (Call after 4PM)

Metro: Tribunal:
Calle de Fuencarral.
7 habitaciones/rooms.
Isabel Manarque.
Tel. 699-472-787

Metro: Lavapies:
Lavapi�s,10. - Rooms for 360 euros.
Plaza de Tirso de Molina - Loft apartment for 650-700 euros.

Mar�a Fern�ndez de Alba
Email: merialba@yahoo.es
Tel. 639-077-625 / 686-477-506 / 915-278-027

Metro: Atocha / Delicias:
Atocha / Delicias. - Rooms in shared flats for girls and some other studios, flats, etc. around Madrid. Also works as a Real Estate agent and
sometimes requires one month agency fee.
Rosa Maria Aznar & Macarena
Tel. 914-292-338 / 627-918-290 / 609-459-701

Atocha. - Rooms in shared flat for girls. Dorm style "La Casa Roja."
Paula M�rquez.
Email: paula_marquez@grapesadsl.com

Metro: Tirso de Molina:
Meson de Paredes n� 13 - Rooms in shared flat from 300 to 360 euros.
Emilio Herrero
Tef. 91 527 5701
info@centroelhorno.com

Central Madrid:
Rooms in shared flats in central Madrid.
Ester Paredes.
Email: emateos@mi.madritel.es
Tel. 917-305-502

Pez and the price per month is 650 euros comunidad y agua incluido. 3 apartments for rent right in the CENTER MADRID. 1 bedroom abuhardilla (around 30 sqm) which is perfect for one person or a couple. It is fully furnished in style with Television, micro, vitro cooker,
frig, etc. Also has aircondition! Really nice! Like a very small house in the center ;o) with wooden beams, etc. Perfect for students or
professionals.

Molino de Viento. Price is 1.500 euros per month including comunidad and water. 3 bedroom (80 sqm) - fully furnished in style! With wooden
floors, 2 balconies to the street, sofa bed, television, vitro cooker, micro, beds in every room and study desks, marble bath, etc. Very nice and central!.

4 bedroom duplex (110+ sqm) on 2 floors, fully furnished also as the 3 bed but this has a dishwasher and a storage room extra. The kitchen and bathroom of this is uniquely large! Also has 2 balconies to the street and is very central. Price for this is 1.700 euros inclusive of comunidad and water also. All apartments are internet/telephone ready! Pots, pans, plates and
utensils can also be provided upon request.
All these apartments are available to rent for a minimum of 11 months not less. Depending on some cases, we can maybe negotiate to 10 months minimum but never for shorter periods as in 3-6 months only
Email: triccie@europe.com
Tel. 687-464-481 / 670-967-942

Metro: Colombia / Pio XII:
One room in a two bedroom shared flat.
360 euros a month.
Chile, 32, 52 Derecha.
Leonora.
Tel. 913-454-922 / 600-535-064

Metro: Plaza Castilla / Cuzco:
Rooms in shared flats.
Rosa Mar�a / Duvi Avalot
EMAIL duvi22@hotmail.com
Tel. 676 461 530 / 690-651-073

Jer.

I need to change the name of this post to better reflect its purpose. It is supposed to offer the latest advice for right now as we go into the new year of housing searches.
The en of August, Sept. / Oct. through the end of spring when the offers start pooring in again.

so why are you telling me???

members can edit their own posts with the icon above the post itself.

you opened the thread so when you click the edit icon ( ) you will see that you can change the "subject:" line (title of the thread) as well as your post.

for future reference, see my f.a.q. section to learn how to use the board more efficiently (the "Can I edit my own posts?" is the 10th down on the f.a.q. page).

saludos,
jer...

I would just like to remind everyone looking for a furnished room in a shared flat in Madrid that even though the prices and availability are getting better that the average price for a room in / near the center is still 350 euros a month with or without utilities included.
You might be able to find something better, but you will need to give yourself some time here in Madrid to go visit these rooms and get to know Madrid better as well as make some Spanish friends. In this case you could either get yourself a cheap hostel or check availability at www.madridrooms.cjb.net for week to week and then day to day temporary housing.