AVOID TAKING ANY RISK
WHEN SELECTING AN ACCOMMODATION

RENTAL FRAUD AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

These days there are many offers for long-term rentals all over Ibiza that can be found on the internet, the majority of which are perfectly legal. However, there are scams and fraudsters who’ll take your money and you’ll never hear from them again.
More fraud is carried out in spring and summer as people are desperately looking for a flat, an apartment, a house or a villa for the tourist season. Scammers can make a quick buck by advertising such accommodation they don’t own, getting part of the rental price up front and then disappearing.
Unfortunately many people still fall for the trick of paying a deposit. However, you never hear from the “owner” again.

Our first tip is: Do not trust those who promise very low prices, most of the times these are rip-offs, and you may find yourself without any or in an accommodation that has nothing to do with the one that you had admired in the photos and dreamed to spend your summer in.

RENTAL SCAM ALSO IN IBIZA?

We are sorry to say that workers as well as holidaymakers from all over the world were affected in the past years. Outside the island in December 2016 the National Police arrested 18 people for a millionaire fraud related to false rents in Ibiza…


HOW TO AVOID RENTAL SCAM

We always recommend dealing with the owner or owning company directly. If you do not know them personally and they ask for money, you should request an identification of the contact person (identity card or passport) and a copy of a bill related to the property to be rented, such as an electricity or water bill.
Remember to keep copies of all emails and text/WhatsApp messages as back up in case things go wrong.

When you decide to go ahead and rent an accommodation, make sure you sign a legal contract according to the corresponding Spanish law, i.e. Código Civil [section 1554] or Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (L.A.U.) as it is no holiday rental. As a minimum the contract should include:
• Names and identity card (DNI)/passport number of both parties
• Monthly price of rental
• Exact dates of rental
• Full street address of the rental apartment
• Information on costs of utilities like water and electricity consumption
• Amount of any deposit as well as the conditions to get it back (deductions/set offs in case of breach of contract, damages, costs for utilities etc.)

And don’t forget, if an offer seems too good to be true it probably is.