With Spain dream can costa your home

I ALWAYS tell people to never sign anything unless they have read and fully understand it – and this terrifying tale from a reader shows why.

Kirk, f rom Birmingham, received a flyer through his door proclaiming: “Unique opportunity to own a property in Spain – nothing to pay for five years”.

The “pay later” element of the deal immediately attracted Kirk’s attention, so he called the number straight away.

Someone calling themselves the head of Spanish sales answered and a meeting at Kirk’s house was arranged for the next day.

Arriving with numerous Spanish property brochures, Frank explained to Kirk that, after he had chosen his place in the sun, a contract with deferred payment would be drawn up.

There were only two catches. First, Kirk would need to pay a £20,000 deposit in euros, due to Spanish law. But this was simply for show – the company would transfer £20,000 to him so he could send it back.

Luck

The second catch was Kirk would have to allow the company to rent out the property for the first 12 months, after which the keys would be handed over.

Kirk couldn’t believe his luck and wanted to sign the contract immediately. He was then asked to choose a property from the brochures by the next day, when he would also sign the contract – without even reading it.

Within a few hours £ 20,000 euros appeared in Kirk’s bank and, as instructed, he transferred this back to the account it came from.

Four days later he received a solicitor’s letter telling him he had one week to vacate his house, following the sale to their client.

Kirk hadn’t signed for the purchase of a Spanish property, but for the sale of his house for £20,000 – the same £20,000 he sent back to the so-called buyer.

He refused to move out and contacted me for help.

I advised Kirk to immediately report the matter to the police and t he Solicitors Regulatory Authority.

The matter continues to be investigated but I’m happy to report there is no way Kirk will lose his house.

For more advice from Dean see theconsumerlawyer.blog