How To Avoid Apartment Scams In Madrid

A convincing listing can copy a real flat. Seeing photographs, receiving a passport image or making a traceable transfer does not establish that the person has authority to rent it.

Before a reservation or deposit, verify the property, contracting party, payment recipient and written terms together. If you are searching from abroad, a legitimate temporary stay can give you time to inspect permanent options.

Compare the address, photographs and asking price with similar properties. Search for reused photos and duplicate adverts with conflicting contacts.

Arrange an in-person viewing or use someone you independently trust. For a live video, ask to see the entrance, windows, layout and equipment. A viewing helps establish that the property exists, but does not by itself establish ownership or authority.

Ask for the landlord's identity and evidence of the right to let the flat. If an agent or representative signs or receives payment, establish their authority and record it in the paperwork. Do not accept a change of payee through an unexplained last-minute message.

Pause if the advertiser refuses these checks, offers to send keys only after payment, or pressures you to transfer before showing the terms. A foreign bank account alone is not proof of fraud; an unexplained recipient or unverified change is a reason to investigate.

Landlords may request identity and income evidence, such as payslips, an employment contract or client income records. Ask what the particular landlord needs. These are application materials, not a universal statutory document checklist.

Share sensitive documents only after checking who receives them and why. Have your maximum rent and available arrival cash ready so a genuine offer does not force a rushed decision.

A reservation agreement should identify the property, parties, amount, refund conditions and what happens if either side withdraws. Obtain a receipt.

Separate first rent, fianza (the statutory deposit), additional guarantees and any separately offered services. Under LAU Article 36, the housing deposit is one month's rent. For housing contracts of up to five years, or seven with a legal-entity landlord, the additional guarantee is capped at two months. The current text separately limits the additional guarantee for temporary housing to one month. These are not limits on the sum of all move-in payments.

Madrid requires the landlord to lodge the fianza with the regional authority. Property-management and contract-formalisation costs for a housing lease fall to the landlord under the applicable LAU provision. Check the contract date and regime; ask for the basis of a disputed charge rather than accepting a renamed fee.

See the deposit and agency-fee guide before paying.

Check names, address, actual purpose, duration, rent, guarantees, included services, cancellation or notice terms and payment method. A temporary label does not settle which protections apply; use the contract comparison.

At handover, record keys, meter readings, furniture, appliances and existing damage. Send dated photographs and the inventory to the other party and retain their response.

Contact your bank immediately, explain the suspected fraud and ask what recovery or payment-security steps are possible. Recovery is not guaranteed.

Save the advert, messages, contract, receipts, transfer details, names and URLs. Report suspected fraud to the police. For a real flat with a disputed fee or term, put the objection in writing and seek help from a consumer office or tenancy lawyer.

Do not make a second payment to “release” keys or recover the first payment without independently checking the demand.