Community Guidelines
Expat Marbella is a community resource for expats on the Costa del Sol. These guidelines help keep our community safe, trustworthy, and useful for everyone.
Classifieds Rules
What's Allowed
- • Furniture, household items, and personal belongings
- • Vehicles (cars, motorcycles, bicycles)
- • Property rentals (long-term and short-term)
- • Services (cleaning, tutoring, pet care, etc.)
- • Job listings and opportunities
- • Wanted ads for items or services
- • Free items and giveaways
Not Allowed
- • Illegal items or services
- • Weapons, drugs, or controlled substances
- • Counterfeit or stolen goods
- • Multi-level marketing or pyramid schemes
- • Spam or duplicate listings
- • Misleading or fraudulent listings
- • Adult content or services
- • Listings that discriminate based on race, religion, gender, or nationality
Listing Best Practices
- • Be honest and accurate in your descriptions
- • Include clear photos when possible
- • State the price clearly (or mark as negotiable/free)
- • Respond promptly to inquiries
- • Update or remove listings when items are sold
- • Don't post the same item multiple times
Safety Tips
Meeting Strangers
- • Meet in public places during daylight hours
- • Bring a friend if possible, especially for larger transactions
- • Tell someone where you're going and when
- • Trust your instincts—if something feels off, leave
- • For rentals, always view the property in person before paying
Payment Safety
- • Never send money before seeing an item or property
- • Be wary of requests to use unusual payment methods
- • For expensive items, consider using Bizum or bank transfer for traceability
- • Get a receipt for significant purchases
- • Don't share bank details or passwords
Red Flags to Watch For
- • Prices that seem too good to be true
- • Pressure to pay quickly or in advance
- • Sellers who refuse to meet in person
- • Rental properties you can't view before paying deposit
- • Requests for personal information beyond what's needed
- • Poor communication or inconsistent information
- • "I'm out of the country" stories for rental properties
Common Scams to Avoid
Unfortunately, scammers target expats. Here are common scams we see:
Rental Scams
Scammers list properties they don't own, often copying real listings. They ask for deposits before you can view the property, claiming to be abroad. Always verify ownership and never pay without viewing.
"Helper" Scams
People offering to help with paperwork (NIE, residency, etc.) for inflated prices or taking your documents and money then disappearing. Use reputable gestorias listed in our directory instead.
Overpayment Scams
Buyer sends a check for more than the asking price and asks you to refund the difference. The original check bounces, and you lose your money.
Fake Service Providers
People claiming to be electricians, plumbers, or other tradespeople who do poor work or disappear after getting paid. Ask for recommendations from other expats.
Reporting Problems
If you encounter a suspicious listing or have a bad experience, please let us know:
- • Email us at: report@expatmarbella.com
- • Include the listing details and what happened
- • We'll investigate and take action if needed
For serious fraud or criminal activity, also report to the local police (Policía Local or Guardia Civil).
Being a Good Community Member
- Be respectful and courteous in all interactions
- Honor your commitments—show up when you say you will
- Pay promptly and as agreed
- Leave accurate descriptions and be honest about condition
- Help other expats when you can—we're all in this together
Disclaimer
Expat Marbella is a platform connecting community members. We review listings before publishing but cannot verify every claim or guarantee transactions. Users transact at their own risk. We recommend due diligence before any significant transaction. For professional services, always verify credentials and get multiple quotes.