Question
Is it normal to ask for a ”refundable deposit” for an application to rent an apartment…and before its viewing?
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”It’s not typical and iffy but I have heard of a few companies/realtors doing it now. I believe they are trying to weed out the ppl coming to Spain on a holiday and looking at houses for fun. That being said, I would check the company out more that is asking”
”Sounds like a Scam. Never transfer any money before you view and sign a contract”
”No. My advice is always DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY BEFORE YOU SEE THE PLACE. This is one of the most common scamming techniques. Paying up front for something that might not even exist. Kindly inform them that you need to see the place first and see their reaction”
”It’s definitely a scam. Had a couple of those offers as well, they want a deposit as guarantee to allow you to register interest in an apartment, they might give you an address but you can’t come and view it. If you suggest a bank deposit for both party’s security or any other solution, they will simply stop responding”
”No. Please don’t pay anything until you have visited the property”
”Not normal. Not legal”
”NO, never pay anything before a viewing”
”Report him”
”Name and shame”
”No”
”NO!!! Don’t do it”
”They tried this with me, promising to return it should the agreement fell through, but I ignored the request. Felt sus to me”
”Anonymous participant just follow your common sense and never pay anything before you have seen the property and checked the legalities
Also not if they offer you to do it thru a reputable booking platform like TripAdvisor or Airbnb”
”View first”
”Not necessarily a scam, but I wouldn’t do it. After viewing reserving the rental property with a non-refundavke deposit seems fair for blocking others. Most probably their goal is to funnel, but they should consider better intakes instead”
”Don’t do it. Is not normal”
Conclusion
In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, it seems the consensus among the group members is strong: paying a refundable deposit before viewing an apartment is highly discouraged and often viewed as a potential scam. Many emphasize the importance of seeing the property firsthand before any financial transactions occur, citing it as a common technique used by scammers. They stress the need to exercise caution, avoid pre-payment, and insist on viewing the property and verifying its legitimacy before considering any monetary transactions.
