Vacation Renters' FAQ
Vacation Property Owners' FAQ
- How do I know these vacation rentals are legitimate?
- We do not personally inspect each of the vacation rentals properties listed on our site. The service we provide is similar to that offered by a newspaper or magazine where vacation home rentals are advertised. We recommend that you request references and a list of past renters from the vacation rentals property owners. If possible, it is also suggested that you visit the vacation rental property in advance.
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- How do I contact the vacation rental owner?
- Each listing contains the home owner's name, email address and telephone number that you can use to contact the property owner. We also provide a button to send an email inquiry regarding the property. How you choose to communicate with the home owner depends upon your preference.
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- How do I book a vacation rental?
- Property owners have their own preferred methods of making reservations. We suggest you contact the homeowner and be sure to communicate your arrival and departure dates, the number of people in your party (include the number of adults and/or children) and any special needs you might have. To protect the homeowner and the renter, we strongly recommend the use of a vacation rental agreement. The agreement clearly outlines the rental period, the cost of the rental, any special considerations and the terms and conditions related to cancellations and refunds.
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- What type of deposit and payment due dates can I expect?
- Typically, the rental agreement requires a booking deposit of 10% - 50% to confirm the reservation, with full payment expected eight (8) weeks prior to arrival. It is important that all payments be submitted as specified in the rental agreement in order to avoid losing your reservation and/or your booking deposit.
- Additionally, you will also be asked to provide a refundable security deposit either at the time of booking or upon arrival. Specifics related to the security deposit, including property maintenance, damages and additional fees such as telephone charges, should be detailed in the rental agreement.
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- Where can I find details on check-in times, pets, etc.?
- Within the rental agreement or lease you can expect to find terms related to check-in and checkout times, maximum occupancy, pet policies, cancellation conditions, and maintenance of the rental.
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- How are cancellations and refunds handled?
- The cancellation policy associated with your rental agreement or lease should clearly communicate penalties associated with canceling your contract. Note that cancellations due to weather conditions are not usually permitted unless specified in the rental agreement.
- Travel insurance can protect your vacation investment if unforeseen circumstances require you to cancel your trip. You can get Free Travel Insurance Quotes from AIG Travel Guard.
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- What about travel arrangements?
- The owner will be able to advise you on your travel arrangements, including the most convenient airports, car rentals, and alternative transportation options. Special parking requirements and parking passes should be detailed in the rental agreement and included in pre-arrival instructions.
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- What type of pre-arrival instructions should I expect?
- In addition to directions to the property, you should be provided with either a key or the name of the person who will greet you at the rental, as well as, the name and telephone number of some one at the location who you can contact if anything goes wrong. If a security deposit is due on arrival, the expectation is that it will be paid in cash, local currency, check or traveler’s check.
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- What happens when I arrive at the vacation rental property?
- Some owners send you a key in advance, some actually live on site and will meet you, and some arrange for their representative to meet you at the property. Make sure you are given details of someone you can contact if something goes wrong. If you are delayed, it is courteous to inform the owner.
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- What if there is a problem during my holiday?
- It is in your best interest and the owner’s interest to fix any problems immediately. Contact information for the owner or their local representative should be included in pre-arrival instructions and posted in the rental. The person you have been directed to contact will be your best resource to quickly resolve any issues.
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- What happens when I leave the vacation home?
- Check-out policies should be part of the instructions you were provided. Since cleaning standards vary, it is important to know how much the owners expect you to clean up prior to departure. At minimum, the vacation rental home should be left tidy.
- When you are ready to leave, the vacation home owner or their representative should check you out of the property, and assuming there is no damage, will refund your security deposit, either on the spot or within a couple of weeks.
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