Finding a room for the academic year
The start of every semester is peak season for room scams in Spain: high demand, pressure to decide fast, and many people searching from another city or country.
The most common scams
- A Bizum (Spain's instant phone payment) or transfer to «hold» the room before you see it. More in asked for a deposit before viewing.
- The «landlord abroad» who sends the keys by courier.
- A very cheap room near the university, with photos copied from another listing.
- A fake hall of residence or platform that «holds the money» until you arrive.
- They ask for your passport or enrolment letter before showing you anything. More in asked for your ID or payslip.
If you are searching from abroad
- Book a few nights of temporary accommodation and look for the room once you arrive: seeing it in person rules out almost every scam.
- If you cannot, ask someone you trust to visit for you. A video call is not enough.
- Ask your university: many have a housing list and an accommodation or international students office that can advise you. Even so, the same rules apply to any listing.
- If a hall of residence asks you to pay, find its official website yourself (not through a link they send you) and check that the account is theirs.
Before you pay
- Visit the room and the flat, and if you can, meet the people who live there.
- Sign a contract that states the room, the rent, the deposit and who receives it.
- Pay into an account in the name of whoever signs the contract, and keep the receipt.
Got an offer and not sure? Paste the listing and the messages below, in English, Spanish or any other language.