Lawyers in Mallorca to assist in rental contract

@D.Pearce

ask to see the original “escritura” (title deed) with his name and his wife’s name on it.  This is proof of ownership .

cheers

lmf

@D.Pearce

Asking for money up-front is typical for scammers. But it's also typical for legit landlords!

Your problem is that you're trying to find and reserve an apartment a couple of months before you arrive. Clearly, you have to pay a deposit for this. AND you have to pay the rent for the months prior to your arrival (i.e. March and April and May). Very few legit landlords will reserve an apartment for you today, but be happy to forego the rent until you stroll on over to Spain! And if you think that's reasonable, you need to think again.

If you want to reserve a property in advance, then you have to hand over a big chunk of money (deposit and rent). It's risky.

I would, personally, just find something now on Booking or Airbnb for a few weeks when I arrive in May (you can make confirmed bookings with negligible chances of fraud). And then do my flat hunting in person, at that time. It's just far safer (and far cheaper, as I don't pay for March and April).

There are red flags in your account. He took the listing down after you enquired. I don't know why he would do that. Normally, it is advertised until it's rented (i.e. someone signs a rental contract, and pays the deposit). You seem to think landlord is a nice guy who will reserve the apartment for your May arrival, but doesn't want rent for March or April. You have someone available to view now, but there's a reason why they can't (occupied), combined with pressure to do the deal (agency with multiple renters). You have someone advertising (the guy), but someone else (his wife) owns the property.

I don't think I'd go for it. And I don't think I'd bother to check the documents, But if you want to live dangerously, then you need to check everything matches (as suggested by @Lmflmf1). That is, the name on the rental contract is the same as the name on the property (escritura or nota simple) and the same as the money transfer. And the rental contract should have contact details (phone number and email) for the landlord, so you should be able to call and check.