Any Horror Stories - Renting a Townhouse?

[Minnie]

Okay here's the deal.....

We will be signing the rental contract first thing in the morning and faxing it off to the owners of the property. The rental contract has made us a little nervous as this is very new to us.

Anyone have problems with either the home they stayed in or with issues after their vacation?

I guess one question is how do you prove the home was in a certain condition when you leave? Is the MC there to look the home over? The contract states that the deposit will be returned with 21days after the stay. Just wanting to make sure there isn't something "hidden" that we should be concerned about.

Thanks everyone!

 

[5mins2disney]

The MC will typically check the home before guests checkin and after they checkout, and notify the owner of any issues.

Although very very rare, issues do occasionally come up. If you're concerned about something in particular take a few pictures, or discuss it with the owner or the MC.

If you have any questions or issues at all while you're there, I would not hesitate to contact the owner and / or MC while visiting, that's what they're there for! Also, no one can fix a problem they're not aware of, and things can break or come up too, it's a house just like any other! (But a brand new one so the chances are slimmer, but even new homes have issues from time-time).

Most homes though use a rental agreement contract and a security deposit of some type, either a credit card or a refundable deposit, and it's very rare for someone to ever have a problem and not get their $$ back. Do discuss with your owner, but it's a common practice, and I'm sure it will be fine...when you check into a hotel and they take a credit card imprint from you? It's the same thing...they're protecting themselves against damages or charges you might run up....they have the right to charge you for room damage if they feel like it!
(But it very very rarely ever happens, right?)

The MC would get involved if there were an issue and file a written report to the owners, typically with pictures of any damages. This would then typically be discussed with you, the guest, before proceeding any further. (Just so you know how it all works).

There's really nothing "hidden" there to be concerned about...remember you're renting someone's expensive private home, so owners need a little protection and assurances too that someone isn't going to come party like a rock star in their home! hehe (Doesn't happen too much in the Disney area...but you should hear the horror stories I read on the owner's boards in places like ski resorts and spring break spots!).

 

[Minnie]

Thanks again George for your thoughtful explanations

 

[mungo]

Hi Minnie

as George has said, it is pretty standard to sign terms and conditions of rental and leave a deposit. In the few years that we have rented we have never had any problems with getting our deposit back. Remember most owners want you to come back and stay again, and I am sure they allow for small breakages. We once had to throw out an oven glove, so I went out and bought a new one anyway, and explained what had happened to the mc and that I had replaced it.

 

[isla bonita]

I am an owner and here are my horror stories

I had driven our guests to the airport they are neighbors. They arrive and Progress Energy the electric co we have in Florida was working on our home. Seems the third line that goes to the home caught fire yes your heard right they said there was a blue flame arching on our lawn.

My poor guests went ot the clubhouse and instead of getting in for 4:00 it was 7:00.

I had guest in from Iceland and they called about 12:00 and said our fridge was not working correctly. It was replaced again by 7:00 that evening.

Our home was 3 years old on Monday. Should these things happen I think not. Can you stop things such as these again I think not. It is how the man/co handles these unexpected occurances.

You will have a wonderful vacation I am sure. Will it be perfect time will tell.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

I am an owner and here are my horror stories

I had driven our guests to the airport they are neighbors. They arrive and Progress Energy the electric co we have in Florida was working on our home. Seems the third line that goes to the home caught fire yes your heard right they said there was a blue flame arching on our lawn.

My poor guests went ot the clubhouse and instead of getting in for 4:00 it was 7:00.

I had guest in from Iceland and they called about 12:00 and said our fridge was not working correctly. It was replaced again by 7:00 that evening.

Our home was 3 years old on Monday. Should these things happen I think not. Can you stop things such as these again I think not. It is how the man/co handles these unexpected occurances.

You will have a wonderful vacation I am sure. Will it be perfect time will tell.

As a guest I would be pleased with what sounds like prompt handling of the situations. I think most people would be fine with it. S*** happens. There would be a few who would find ANYTHING you did unacceptable. There are a few genuine horror stories out there, but they are few and far between.