periodic checks with homeowner

[twooley2]

Do you periodically check with the homeowner of homes you rent 7-8 months out. How do you do this tactfully?

 

[yankin]

Why would you do that? Sounds a bit OCD.

 

[formill]

DO IT!!! Think of a question or two..... One year we did not have much contact with the owner at all....I assumed all was fine...... within 2 weeks or so before going I emailed......did not get a response......then started to really worry- we had paid in full at that point.....finally one week before we are to go he emails......"sorry for the mix up" the home you reserved was double booked(blamed management).....so we had to go to his other house.....which while fine was missing another bathroom and living room......I am still not convinced it was a real mix up as he had wanted us in that house when we first booked and I said no it did not interest us- he even offered us a "better deal" on it....I still said no as the home we wanted just suited us more..... we never even did get any money refunded. So to me now.....it is just too important and too much money to mess with so I will email......I also may sound ridiculous to some in emails now when questioning their homes but that same home that was double booked ended up being ridiculously under stocked- 10 towels TOTAL etc (for 10 people!! it is not like you have a front desk to go down and ask for more!)......hardly any spoons or dishes in general......no extra pillows, blankets-the two tvs in the bedrooms got hardly any channels- a question I never thought to ask till that house. I am done with being "nice" and waiting and thinking I am bothering them! The other villas we have rented have been the opposite- so many towels, sheets, pillows...complete sets of dishes -lots in plastic for poolside- what you want on vacation!!! The last couple we rented from the wife has a policy and it was "you want it better than you have at home".....and it was.

 

[sjanus]

You could just ask some simple questions, as I was wondering if you could advise us of restaurants nearby, or just a note checking in, excited about vacation, etc., getting nearer our vacation anything else we need to do. I'm sure any owner would welcome such an e-mail.

Sandy

 

[isla bonita]

I think you should be in contact when ever any questions arise.

Also when the owner goes on vaca they should alert you with I maybe longer getting back on emails because I am on holiday and such.

 

[twooley2]

Thanks for the advice. I will think of some questions. The amount of towels is a good question when traveling with 12 people. As for being OCD. Well when spending this kind of money I will be OCD maybe if others were OCD they would not be on the loosing end. We are so excited and I would hate to think that my planning fell through for everyones trip not just my own