How do I verify DVC ownership?

[patty57]

Hi All, I've seen in a few different places that prospective renters should contact the Florida Comptroller's Office to verify that the person renting their unit is really a DVC owner. I called the Comptroller's office yesterday and was told that they do not have information about timeshare owners...that the Department of Business Regulations would have that info. It was late on Friday and I could not get through to them. Has anyone ever actually verified DVC ownership? How did you do it?
Thanks, Patty

 

[maburke]

Hi All, I've seen in a few different places that prospective renters should contact the Florida Comptroller's Office to verify that the person renting their unit is really a DVC owner. I called the Comptroller's office yesterday and was told that they do not have information about timeshare owners...that the Department of Business Regulations would have that info. It was late on Friday and I could not get through to them. Has anyone ever actually verified DVC ownership? How did you do it?
Thanks, Patty

It's very easy, all online. It's the Orange County Comptroller's office. Go to:
http://www.occompt.com/
and click on "Records Search" on the right.

Bear in mind that if you don't find a person, they might still be a legitimate owner. They might own DVC outside Orange County, like HH or VB or VGC. Or you might not have the name exactly right; my name is hyphenated, and it's impossible to find me -- you'd have to search for my husband's name.

People here will tell you this is not foolproof, you have not confirmed that the person you are dealing with is who they say they are. But I think this is an essential piece of evidence (along with references & Dis board postings) that builds confidence in a transaction.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Plus there are people who have the same name. I've found other members with the same first and last name and my husband and I.

This is by no way a verification of membership. An unscrupulous person could find a name on the website and use it as their's to fool a non-member.

 

[disneynutz]

Hi All, I've seen in a few different places that prospective renters should contact the Florida Comptroller's Office to verify that the person renting their unit is really a DVC owner. I called the Comptroller's office yesterday and was told that they do not have information about timeshare owners...that the Department of Business Regulations would have that info. It was late on Friday and I could not get through to them. Has anyone ever actually verified DVC ownership? How did you do it?
Thanks, Patty

Hi Patty. Verifying ownership does nothing. If you are uncomfortable about renting from someone, then I wouldn't rent. Renting isn't for everyone and it requires a good deal of trust. As more owners decide to skip their vacation due to the economy, and become landlords mistakes are bound to be made.

Rent from an experienced owner who can provide references.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[patty57]

Thanks everyone for your input.
Patty

 

[LisaS]

It's good to be cautious and check the records. Look for things like liens and judgements filed against the owner. If there is a lien against their contract due to unpaid dues or mortgage payments, you will be unable to check in until they pay what the owe or worse, Disney could foreclose on the contract prior to your trip. In that situation your reservation would be cancelled and you would be unlikely to get any money back from the owner. I'm not saying a lien is a sign of a dishonest owner but you would be taking a huge risk renting from someone in that situation.

As others have stated, if the member owns at HHI or VB or GCV those properties are not in Orange County so their records will not be in that database.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Also, the online records search can be a bit quirky if you don't enter the information correctly.

 

[CarolMN]

IMO, verifying ownership isn't worth the time or effort now that you can just verify the reservation itself. Just use this link:

www.mydisneyreservation.com/dvc

All you need is the reservation confirmation number, resort, check in date, and your name.

Some owners want at least a deposit before they make a reservation in the renter's name. However, if the renter plans far enough ahead, he/she should be able to find someone willing to make the reservation and provide a confirmation number prior to sending the deposit. After all, the owner can cancel the reservation without penalty if the deposit fails to arrive in a timely manner.

That said, I would not expect to find an owner willing to do that if you are renting 90 days or less ahead of time.

 

[disneynutz]

Verifying the reservation doesn't offer any protection either. The member can cancel the reservation at any time without notifying the renter.

 

[CarolMN]

Verifying the reservation doesn't offer any protection either. The member can cancel the reservation at any time without notifying the renter.

This is true. But it's a lot faster than fussing with the website and not knowing for sure if you even searched correctly, LOL.

There is no fool proof "protection" against someone determined to defraud.

But many will feel a reasonable degree of comfort seeing an actual reservation in their name. I do not recall any cases reported on the DIS that said an owner canceled a reservation made for a renter who kept his/her side of the bargain.

JMHO. YMMV.

 

[disneynutz]

This is true. But it's a lot faster than fussing with the website and not knowing for sure if you even searched correctly, LOL.

There is no fool proof "protection" against someone determined to defraud.

But many will feel a reasonable degree of comfort seeing an actual reservation in their name. I do not recall any cases reported on the DIS that said an owner canceled a reservation made for a renter who kept his/her side of the bargain.

JMHO. YMMV.

Right again as always!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Also, you may overlook a good owner if you don't see them listed.

I was widowed and remarried, and you will not find my contracts listed under my current name. I have not had the deeds changed as of yet. Just something to keep in mind, that if a person cannot be located, it does not mean they are unscrupulous.

 

[maburke]

Also, you may overlook a good owner if you don't see them listed.

I was widowed and remarried, and you will not find my contracts listed under my current name. I have not had the deeds changed as of yet. Just something to keep in mind, that if a person cannot be located, it does not mean they are unscrupulous.

But you know that, and could tell your renter that. I know that my hyphenated name is hard to find, so I can give my husband's name. And I would, to help a renter feel more comfortable with me. All of this is intended to say that a conversation involving name, address, phone number, references, dis history, search on Orange County web site, can make a person feel more comfortable, and I think a search on the OC web site is easier to do than checking references, though both should be done. None of it is a guarantee against fraud, but it's all worth doing.