Prosecute Pablo!

Arriving in a new country all by yourself is definitely a daunting prospect, made even more so when you have to begin searching for flats in such a short space of time! I had a terrible experience with my first landlord here - if you haven't guessed, his name is Pablo - and I wanted to warn people not to get too overexcited and get a bit hasty with all the contract signing!

It's easy to get carried away when you begin searching online for flats in your host country. The Hollywood movie portrayal of chic, authentic looking flats in a little side street or overlooking the riviera gives such a romantic view of Europe that it's hard not to get distracted looking at studio apartments filled with things like futons and vintage dressers. Once I actually arrived in Madrid I had to reign in my imagination and work with what was actually here. I didn't have a great amount of time to find a flat so I only saw a couple and none were ideal. However, with my flatmate going back to England in two days and keen to get something sorted I went along with a flat which seemed perfectly nice, although a far cry from the glam studio with three balconies I had visioned! 

Under pressure from Pablo, we signed the contract within two days of seeing the flat and I couldn't help feeling I wasn't a hundred percent sure whether I liked it. When my mum came to help me move in my worst fears were confirmed. She agreed that the flat was far too dark and full of gloomy Spanish furniture which Pablo clearly just had nowhere to store but didn't want to throw away. After discovering that the internet he had promised would be included didn't work, and that the spare toilet was 'only for emergencies' we decided I needed to get out while I could!

I called Pablo and arranged to meet bringing my contract with me to discuss my options. Pablo, after much discussion with the real landlord - a lady he works for - he agreed if I paid one month I could end the contract, and said if I found someone within that month he would refund me whatever they paid for the remainder of that month. A little disappointed at having to pay, but glad to be getting out I agreed and asked him to write and sign a small declaration on the end of my contract confirming these details. 

After searching endlessly online, I found someone who was interested in my room and sent them straight on to Pablo. Knowing that the room was now taken I tried to call and text Pablo about getting my refund. After ignoring all my texts and calls I showed up at his door, leaving him no escape. He gave me a whole barrage of excuses, claiming I would have to wait until next month because he didn't have enough money for the rent. This went on for months and Pablo even resorted to pretending to be someone else on the phone when my lecturer (Conrad the absolute babe) kindly offered to call him. 

Pablo advertises his flats on idealista.com and although I have filed a complaint against him, I am not sure whether all his flats have been taken down. He has lots of flats for students in Arguelles, especially in Calle Altarmirano. 

Although this was an unfortunate start to my experience, as I lost 390 euros to him, it was definitely a learning curve. I will never, ever sign a contract so hastily again and I will make sure I always ask for references from previous tenants! Hopefully anyone reading this will make sure to do the same!