Advice for renting on this board?

[cmrdgrs]

Hi there! I am about to rent points for the first time from someone on the boards, which I'm a bit nervous about. Should I be doing a contract of any sort? She seems to check out "okay" but really who ever knows?? Always makes me nervous that after I pay, she still owns the reservation and could cancel at any time. Also, is paypal the best way to pay? Thank you!!

Here is advice that I modified adding a few of my additional thoughts (taken from another source):

Renting points (as it sounds like you already know) requires trust on both sides of the agreement, but even with trust there is a need for you to do some due diligence and common sense checking before sending off your money to someone.

• Ask for references from the DVC member who is renting the points, and check their references. Good references show that a DVC member has had successful rentals in the past, and is knowledgeable about the DVC program. You are more likely to have a miscommunication with a DVC member who is renting their points for the first time, or one who hasn't done the upfront preparation themselves before they rent.

• My recommendation is to try and rent from a member of this board or another board who has only made a few posts or who just joined the board, as it could be an indicator of a scam, but obviously, not necessarily. If someone has been a consistent poster on this board or another DVC board, or has been a member for quite some time, that should provide some level of comfort. Review past posts for the person you are working with so you can get an idea what type of person they may be.

• Get the owner's full name, home address and home phone number before sending any payment. To the extent possible, confirm that the information is valid. In other words, call them on the phone and "google" their name and address, also use social media to see if you can find them and see what their FB page or Twitter page might be like.

• Confirm that the person is, in fact, a DVC owner by running a search at the Florida Comptroller's Office web site (this site only reports owners of WDW DVC resorts).

• I know a lot of owners & renters don't push this point, but IMO there should be a written contract or letter of agreement, signed by both of you, spelling out exactly what the rental will cost, when payment is due, dates of the stay, etc. The terms of payment should be included and exactly what happens if the terms of payment are not met, or there is an unexpected emergency and you need to cancel or change your reservation -- will this be allowed by the owner? A question you should know the answer to upfront. The more that is in the agreement, the less surprises there will be in the event of an emergency, or other circumstance beyond your control.

Best of luck with your rental!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Here is advice that I modified adding a few of my additional thoughts (taken from another source):

Renting points (as it sounds like you already know) requires trust on both sides of the agreement, but even with trust there is a need for you to do some due diligence and common sense checking before sending off your money to someone.

• ...

• Confirm that the person is, in fact, a DVC owner by running a search at the Florida Comptroller's Office web site (this site only reports owners of WDW DVC resorts).

• I know a lot of owners & renters don't push this point, but IMO there should be a written contract or letter of agreement, signed by both of you, spelling out exactly what the rental will cost, when payment is due, dates of the stay, etc. The terms of payment should be included and exactly what happens if the terms of payment are not met, or there is an unexpected emergency and you need to cancel or change your reservation -- will this be allowed by the owner? A question you should know the answer to upfront. The more that is in the agreement, the less surprises there will be in the event of an emergency, or other circumstance beyond your control.

Best of luck with your rental!

If the member owns any resort not in Orange County, it won't show up at the Orange County Comptroller's office. And DVC requires owners to use a contract with all rentals. Not should but shall.