Pitfalls in renting an apartment for vacation

[Christine Porter]

When renting an apartment overseas for vacation, what are the pitfalls to avoid?  Mainly, how do you know the listing is legitimate?  We are looking at one in particular, the web site seems nice, the apartment seems nice, I even checked the domain name of the web site of this rental agency and it has been in existence since 2005.  Anything else I should do?

[Max Pesling]

One time I reserved and prepaid a two-bedroom apartment in northern Spain, for my parents and us, for two weeks. Three days before we were to arrive, I got an email from the owner, saying she regretted having to cancel, but she just took in a German student for three months. She couldn't afford to lose the three months of income for our two weeks. She refunded our money, but we were left high and dry and were not able to find a suitable apartment with elevator (my mother couldn't handle stairs) and had to take two hotel rooms for two weeks, which cost us a fortune, to say  nothing of the much greater expense.

 

So do be careful, there is always the possibility of unexpected surprises when dealing with apartments. But I personally it's usually worth it, as the rewards are much greater.

 

Good luck, Christine!

[Peter Parker]

Call them/fill contact form & see how they reply or check their customers/clients reviews about them on trusted sites.

 

Cabin Rental Luray VA

[Hospilutions]

Do your research and check some of the traveler testimonial sites (ie. Tripadvisor or IgoUgo) to see if anyone has any info to share.

[John Stone]

 

I recommend renting an apartment directly from an owner, not an agency, to avoid the middleman markup and to have accountability for problems directly from the apartment owner. I prefer the site VRBO.com, which I use frequently. One suggestion is to ask for more photos, especially of things like kitchen applicances, patios and terraces to see more details of the living space and its surroundings. Make sure you know the details on utitlities, avoiding those owners who charge high extras for cleaning, electric etc. I find it is a renter's market in most destinations, so you can shop for the best arrangements and, especially, a cooperative owner who does not throw a lot of demands, high security deposit, etc. on the guest. It is not necessary to suffer those types of restrictions with so many apartments available to the savvy shopper.

[lisa Shusterman]

I guess you'll never know for sure so it's a little bit of a gamble.  On the other hand, over the course of a year, we rented 17 apartments in 10 different countries, and everyone was real and legitimate.

 

Ask lots and lots of questions of your potential landlord - don't assume anything.  The more questions you ask, the fewer surprises you will have.  You can check out the accommodations section of my book, Around the World in Easy Ways (www.aroundtheworldineasyways.com) for a list of questions to ask.

 

Good Luck.

[Sue Nixon]

I am amazed at how trusting some people are, you are very right to check out the place you are renting.  Some people who come here email to say they want to book, we confirm with booking termas and conditions and then they transfer the money into our bank account, no questions, no investigation other than to look at our site.  Whilst that is fine in our case as we exist, that is not the way I would do it myself. 

I agree you want to deal with owners not agents, despite what they say or imply all of the big websites accept adverts from agents even though they imply that you are dealing with the owners.  This is something I discovered to my cost when renting an appartment in Paris last December via VRBO, so I would try if possible to book through a real owner-written and owner-managed website exclusively for the property you are looking at, that way you are closest to the source.  Make sure you have a fixed telephone number for the owners and their names and check that number in a telephone book.  As you have done, also check the age of the site as the older the site, the less likely it is to be a scam. 

 

To make sure you get what you are looking for, read the website carefully.  If something is important to you, no matter whether that is a toaster or something bigger like a dish washer, make sure you ask if there is one.  We have no TV in our little houses as people come here for the peace and quiet that the location gives and TVs could disturb the other guests, however our website does not list the things the gites do NOT have, we only specify what they DO have.  So do not assume that something is there - ask. 

Real owners renting out real property are more than happy to answer any questions you have and supply extra information about how to find the property, what there is to see in the area, what is included in the rental etc.  It is in our interests to have happy guests who are looking for what we have to offer and know what they will get when they arrive.  Night clubbers and luxury animals should not come to our place and I would prefer to lose a booking than have an unhappy guest.  IMHO all genuine owners should feel the same, those who don't, won't stay in business long.

I hope you enjoy your holiday.

Sue

http://www.latuileriechazelle.com

[france-vacances.co.uk]

As someone who deals with property reservations for both my own and other properties it is always difficult to demonstrate that we are genuine. To address peoples concerns, apart from everything everyone has mentioned in their comments, we just try to be open and honest, give the option to pay a deposit (25%) with the balance on arrival. We have a credit card payment option but the charges are expensive. The bookings are direct with the owners, but we list a small selection of properties, not as an agent, but as a 'middle man' between owner and customer because not all our owners can speak or write in English (a foreign language). I think the advantages of booking your own accommodation direct (via agent or owner) far out way the thankfully, very rare pitfalls and here in France the government is doing the maximum to aid the potential tourist with all rented accommodation registered with the local town hall (Maire) and the introduction of a new star rating classification. So if you were really worried you could always ask for a photocopy of the registration.

[Christine Porter]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.  I did put a deposit on an apartment and will let you know how it works out when we're back (in July).

[Mariana DiToro]

 

Call and speak to someone. 

[Dana DuGan]

Do a Google Earth search and do a 360 of the street  - pick up the phone and talk to the tenet - check out what is in the 'hood.

and have fun.