subject: Follow These Steps To Avoid Vacation Rental Horrors [print this page] 1. Get recommendations and check out the property
If you know someone who has recently rented a vacation rental for their trip, ask them for some great property managers or rental companies. They may even provide you with a commendable and trustworthy rental website, which are aplenty these days.
After getting a list of the desired properties, dont forget to check them out and ask important questions. Make sure that the vacation rental has enough bedrooms, bathrooms and located well. View the photos carefully and look for questionable items in the properties. If you see any red flags dont be afraid to ask the manager or, better yet, look for another property.
2. Confirm the condition of the property
Your health should be your topmost priority before renting. While viewing the property, make sure that it is in good condition. Contact the owner and ask him or her if you can stage an inspection to make sure that the house doesnt violate any health codes. If the house is found to be in poor condition, you may ask the manager if they plan on resolving the issue; if not, move on to the next one.
3. Put everything in writing
Your agreements with the property owner should be put in writing. All the rules and regulations of renting should be clearly stated. Also, dont forget to negotiate with the owner if you find anything potentially troublesome.
4. Use your credit card when paying
Money transfers are not advisable when paying for the vacation rental. Paying by cash or check can also pose serious problems especially if something goes wrong. So why use a credit card? By using your credit card as your payment, you are automatically under the protection of the Fair Credit Billing Act. You can easily dispute any charges that you never agreed upon but included in your statement.
