Help! Renting a DVC for the first time and have questions!

[Alexsandra]

Hi,
I am not sure I am posting this in the right thread?! Sorry if it isn't.

I am in the process of renting a DVC and the owner did not send me a contract. I only have his name, his email and the reservation confirmation. I was able to link the reservation to my Disney account so I know the reservation is good and that he is a DVC owner. I checked. He has been a DIS member since 2009 and I can see he has posted DVC rentals in the past. I did ask him about sending me a contract with his personal info, his home address and phone number and he sent me this instead:

"The reservation confirmation is your contract.
Our membership info and the contact info is all you need.
We have been renting our unused points for many years as DVC members and the reservation confirmation is the only thing is needed.
Our correspondence is also a proof that we are renting our points to you."

I want to make sure this is legit before sending him my payment. Is this common practice or should I be weary?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Sandisw]

Per the rules, rentals are supposed to include a contract and most owners include something, even an email, that has all the terms, to ensure that both owner and renter understand things the same way.

For example, can you make changes? What happens if the resort closes? Will they add the dining plan if it comes back?

All owners are different and some have very detailed ones, and some have simple ones.

Only you can decide if agreeing to a rental with this owner makes you comfortable. Rentals require a lot of trust so if not having a more detailed contract is bothering you, then it might be wise to find an owner who can provide you with a contract and terms that reassure you.

Good luck.

 

[Alexsandra]

Per the rules, rentals are supposed to include a contract and most owners include something, even an email, that has all the terms, to ensure that both owner and renter understand things the same way.

For example, can you make changes? What happens if the resort closes? Will they add the dining plan if it comes back?

All owners are different and some have very detailed ones, and some have simple ones.

Only you can decide if agreeing to a rental with this owner makes you comfortable. Rentals require a lot of trust so if not having a more detailed contract is bothering you, then it might be wise to find an owner who can provide you with a contract and terms that reassure you.

Good luck.

Ok thank you! That is what I thought. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[supersnoop]

Some folks don't like to do paperwork. I've rented some last-minute points before and didn't bother with a contract. They were very small amounts and very short notice, so there's not much that could have gone wrong. If it's a lot of money and a long way off, write up your own contract and send it to the owner.

 

[crisi]

A contract isn't going to do that much for you. Even if he cancels and leaves you hanging, its almost impossible to get your money back from him - as you'd have to take him to small claims court....and there are issues with being across state lines. Renting DVC is inherently risky and inherently requires trust - with a little less risk through a broker. A contract should spell out the sorts of things Sandi mentioned, but without a contract, I'd assume they are all nos. (And I'd assume the default on any of those things from any owner - except the dining plan - are nos - you might find an owner who will try and change reservations - but no one is going to guarantee it)

But you should be comfortable with the owner and you aren't. Let him find another renter and you should find another owner. No savings is worth the months of worry of "I don't trust my owner."

 

[Masterbetatesta]

As an owner, I just copied and pasted a contract found in one of the threads here. It was a hassle, but I'm sure it makes the renters feel more comfortable.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of scamming happening on this board. From what I've read, there has not been a report of a bad transaction for several years.

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of owners that don't bother with a contract. I've had renters ask for references, and I believe that has more value than a contract.

 

[Alexsandra]

As an owner, I just copied and pasted a contract found in one of the threads here. It was a hassle, but I'm sure it makes the renters feel more comfortable.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of scamming happening on this board. From what I've read, there has not been a report of a bad transaction for several years.

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of owners that don't bother with a contract. I've had renters ask for references, and I believe that has more value than a contract.

Ok thank you for your feedback. I looked into the seller a little more and can see he is legit. I think I will chance it.

 

[Masterbetatesta]

Ok thank you for your feedback. I looked into the seller a little more and can see he is legit. I think I will chance it.

I hope all goes well and enjoy your vacation!

 

[Alexsandra]

I hope all goes well and enjoy your vacation!

Thanks

 

[howardlee2]

you should ask for references and email them to make sure they check out. If any come back with red flags look elsewhere!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Then there is the shifty cheater who uses a reputable DVC owner's information to "sell" you a reservation that they don't have.

 

[Disneypapa]

I rent my unused points occasionally and always provide the renter with a contract. It can be a hassle but spells out what to do if certain circumstances arise, making it clear what the options are.

That said, if your are ok, proceed, if you are the least antsy, find youself a different owner, so you can sleep better at night.

 

[ziravan]

If the owner has a significant posting history here in areas OTHER than the rent boards, and has provided you with a verified confirmation number, I would trust that.

Those are the two things I typically look at.

 

[CarolMN]

Agree 100% with @ziravan. IMO, email references are not very helpful - they can easily be faked. If you'd like references, ask if the owner can provide a reference from a DISboards.com poster and contact that person via the private DIS Conversation System for the reference. Very helpful, especially if that reference has a posting history here.

If the owner has a decent posting history here, I personally wouldn't bother asking for references, but I would ask for something that spells out the rental terms (like cancellations, payment expectations, changes, etc.). This helps both us know that we are on the same page and prevents misunderstandings later. I would also ask for a telephone number, full name and mailing address for the owner, and I would want to talk to him or her in real time (not just email) before I sent money.

Scams that involve Disboards-facilitated transactions have been very, very rare. Scam artists seldom want to spend the time accumulating a posting history and very few want to PAY for a rental plan. That said, renters still need to do their homework and still need to accept the risk if they want to rent from someone they do not know.

 

[Alexsandra]

To everyone who posted a response, thank you for all your helpful recommendations. I did end up going ahead with the DVC rental. The seller did provide me with a contract with his full name, home address and phone number. The reservation was made before receiving payment. I already linked the confirmation number to MY Disney Experience and it all seems good. I did quite a lot of research on the seller before sending him the money. He does own a DVC with the Orange Florida County, has been DIS member for many years, has rented his points in the past and his address and phone number check out. Like many of you pointed out, there is always a risk when renting a DVC but I tried to put all the chances on my side. Again, I appreciate all the help. Cheers!