Email vs. snail mail for contract info

[dessay13]

Hi everyone!

I'm renting from a DVC owner for the first time (so excited!), and I'm wondering if I should request a hard copy of the reservation and contract, or if email is enough legally in case there are any problems.

Please advise! Just being careful...

Thanks,
Cara

 

[disneynutz]

If you are that worried or don't trust the owner then you shouldn't rent. Renting requires trust on both sides. Have you checked references and followed the stickies on the rent/trade board?

Lets say that the owner is a crook. Are you prepared to track him down, file a law suit, go to court, maybe get a judgment in your favor and then try to collect?

Bill

 

[dessay13]

The owner has provided references and I have checked them. They provided an address and phone number, which I verified. They have a deed for their DVC property in Orange County. I do trust this person, and I have already done my homework. I'm only wondering if I should get hard copies of everything we've discussed in the emails I've saved, or if the emails are good enough.

 

[DebbieB]

E-mail is enough. If they would cancel the room, it wouldn't make a difference if you had an e-mail vs the original.

 

[tjkraz]

Totally agree with this.

Basically what Bill is saying is that it's a bit silly to ask what you need to "legally" protect yourself. Even if you happen to get defrauded, you have virtually no recourse. It will cost you several times the amount you paid for the rental to even attempt to track down and prosecute the individual.

Regardless of what you have in writing, the rental is little more than a handshake agreement.

If you are that worried or don't trust the owner then you shouldn't rent. Renting requires trust on both sides. Have you checked references and followed the stickies on the rent/trade board?

Lets say that the owner is a crook. Are you prepared to track him down, file a law suit, go to court, maybe get a judgment in your favor and then try to collect?

Bill