Homeowner in Spain discovers his house is being sold for €210,000 without his permission

A Spanish university professor, Francisco Rodríguez Marín, is challenging the sale of his Málaga home for €210,000, claiming he did not authorize the transaction. Rodríguez Marín, a professor at the University of Málaga, became aware of the potential sale in February when he began receiving legal notices. The proposed sale price is significantly lower than the property's actual value, estimated at 40%.

The professor maintains that the signature on the documents is forged and provides evidence of his whereabouts on the day the agreement was supposedly signed. A registered purchase option has reportedly already been recorded in Spain's Land Registry, which could potentially give someone rights to the property. This case has similarities to a previous incident in Marbella involving an Austrian couple whose beachfront property was sold without their knowledge.

Rodríguez Marín suspects the fraud may be linked to an unsuccessful rental arrangement in Madrid involving his son, where personal documentation was provided. However, this connection has not been proven. The professor suspects that personal information from the rental arrangement could have been misused to forge the disputed property documents.

The case underscores the importance of vigilance for UK and other foreign homeowners with property in Spain, particularly those who spend part of the year abroad. Owners are advised to obtain a nota simple from Spain's official Land Registry to check for unfamiliar entries. If such an entry is discovered, legal advice should be sought promptly to determine its implications and whether action is needed.

The next critical date is October 21, when Rodríguez Marín is due to appear before a notary to finalize the disputed transaction.