Can anybody help me with this??

[horseshowmom]

Thanks for your post. It sounds like you've rented houses before without any problem, and I hate that you've got one now. It's a rotten way to end a great vacation.

We've also rented several times (never one problem). I noticed the house we stayed in last June had some minor problems (small tear in the pool screen and some small spots on the carpet near the front door). It did cross my mind as to whether someone might try to hold me responsible for them (I always check rental cars carefully when I pick them up for this same reason).

I only deal with owners who accept credit cards, so that I have an avenue of dispute should it ever be needed (never has so far, thank goodness). As a previous poster mentioned, I'm hoping you also used a credit card. That will definitely help you out if you did.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Hi Everyone, Well just to update: I have sent an e-mail and called the Management Company and e-mailed the owner.If I have not received a response by either come Friday I am going to report both of them to the Florida State Attorney Generals Office,the Better Business Bureau and the Dept. of Consumer Affairs.
I am requesting; the 'location' of the stain,'what kind' of stain it was and what products were used to 'remove' the stain that cost $100......
Thank you for your help,
Debbie

Good Luck! I can't understand why he won't give you any details or send you a picture of the stain. That makes no sense to me!

 

[winniedapooh]

Please don't put all pool home owners in the same category as this one -we are not all the same and the majority do everything we can to help our guests enjoy their stay and put their minds at ease at every opportunity .

I agree. We have rented the same home 3 going on 4 times with no problems. I would not hesitate to rent again and again. With 5 kids it is not cost efficient for us to stay onsite for 10 to 14 days!

 

[misskrystal]

I just wanted to say thank you for pursuing this. As someone who holidays in Florida, it's nice to know that people like you do not let people like the villa owner get away with pushing us around.

I once had to pursue an estate agent who wouldn't give me my safety deposit back, so I know how difficult these situations can be.

Thanks for keeping us all updated and I hope you get a good result.

 

[2BigKIdz]

That owner is a real jerk! I think I would e-mail him "I've just announced to 75,000+ Disney fans what I've been through renting your house, good luck with future rentals". I'm sure this would mean nothing to him, but it might make you feel a little better

We have rented a pool home in the past as well from owner's (they did not have a management company) but they were marvelous. Sorry you are having such a difficult time.


If anyone is interested in a 5 BR or 7BR pool house (this couple has 2), pm me and I will pm you their website. The houses are gorgeous and the couple is very friendly and professional (I don't know them personally but have no trouble recommending their houses from my past experience with them).

 

[Mainebound]

To the OP --

do NOT give in, on principle if nothing else.

We have had a great experience renting a pool home in Orlando, but when we moved out of our apartment in Jacksonville, Fla. (in 2000), the apartment manager sent us a letter indicated we would be charged $800 for new carpets!!!!! We contacted the Jacksonville BBB and also the Florida Attorney General and it was resolved quickly in our favor. I suggest you make use of the free, legal options out there for consumers like you who are vicitms of bad business practices.

Good luck!

 

[ClanHarrison]

Just Subscribing to this thread to keep updated.

 

[disneymom3]

Debbie--I am glad you are pursuing this if even just to help others in the future. I think your plan of giving them until Fri is a good one and then reporting them. That makes it so that you gave them the opportunity to respond appropriately and they did not. I CANNOT believe he told you this would be his last email and reiterated that the location of the stain is irrelevant. How rude!! And what earthly reason would he have for withholding that information??

Let us know what happens and thank you on behalf of consumers everywhere for following up and not allowing other unsuspecting people to be taken in by this guy.

 

[alisonbestford]

Well done, stick by your guns

 

[WaltD4Me]

Debbie I really hope you get this resolved in your favor! There was no reason for that last extremely nasty email. I would pursue it just based on that email.

I was thinking though, if you do rentals and you do take pictures, how does that work. Do you take pictures of everything, every bit of carpet?

Maybe that is why this renter doesn't want to tell you where the stain is,
in case you did take pictures.

 

[allaboutmm]

Go Debbie Go! Go Debbie Go!

 

[lizziepooh]

They definitely owe you an explaination of where the stain was, how large, etc. It makes you wonder if it was time for regular carpet cleaning and this was a way to get $100 toward the cost. If they withheld $100 from a few other renters, that would add up toward the cost of upkeep. I'm sure some people would just let it go and not fight it for $100. Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[kilee]

Good luck in getting this settled favorably. I cannot believe how rude the owner is being. You are not being unreasonable in asking where the stain was.

 

[gjw007]

A slightly more aggressive approach would be to file a claim in small-claims court. I don't know the cost but don't most small-claims court cost $25 or $35. I know it adds more expense, something that you don't want, but it will cost them more and force them to prove their case.

 

[debden]

Thanks so much to everyone on this board for your suggestions,comments,and words of support and encouragement!! You all are so wonderful. I really appreciate it!
dizneefamilyof5 (and others thinking of renting a vacation home): Please don't let this problem I am having deter you from renting a vacation home in Orlando! I have rented many homes from private owners and this is the first 'bad apple' I have encountered. I have rented many homes in the past and will continue to rent vacation homes in the future.My previous experiences have been great and the owners are very helpful,graceous,kind hosts.Most owners bend over backwards to insure a great stay in their home.
Update:
I did go to the Office of the Attorney General of Florida and put in 2 seperate complaints: one against Mid Florida Villas and the other against Richard and Karen Higham (owners of Rick and Karens Villa in Crescent Lakes).
Since they refuse to answer my requests for more information I don't see any other way to deal with this situation.
I will definitely keep you all updated.
Debbie

 

[allaboutmm]

Good for you!

 

[JANNYANS]

Well done Debden it takes courage to do this. Thank you for taking steps to get owners and companies who give the vrbo industry a bad name .

 

[spiceycat]

you did GOOD lady!!! :thewave:

 

[Donnask8pro]

KUDOS.. Keep us up to date. Good Luck

 

[paladin]

I admire your tenacity. You go girl!