Question before I rent out.

[billmac50]

We will be planning a Disney Cruise (our third) next year and as suggested on this board, I'd like to rent points and pay cash for the curise. dah...why didn't I think of that the last two times??

Anyway, before I go ahead and rent out to someone, has anyone had any problems with renters? i.e. - damaging the room or smoking in a non smoking room etc? And if so, how have you handled it?

 

[spiceycat]

I don't know. that stuff is mentioned in the contract that they sign.

pretty sure Disney (DVC) handles these things.

send me a email - with your email address and I will send you the contract that I use.

 

[spiceycat]

if you don't want to do that - here are some rental contracts
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=895654

 

[spiceycat]

I always send the reservation confirmation BEFORE asking for any money.

 

[Blahnde]

Frankly, I have never had a problem with this, but it is covered in the rental agreement/contract that I use. It is very clear that anything that goes against DVC policies or rules (and costs money!) will be their responsibility. It is for this very reason that I will not allow my renters to sublet, which some others on this board do allow.

As for the other comment about not asking for money until you give the renter the confirmation, I think that is shooting yourself in the foot. I ask for a deposit once I have made their reservation, we both sign the contract, they get the confirmation letter, and I get the balance. Everyone is different, but I would not "give away" the confirmation number without a contract or payment ... I know you can cancel the reservation at any time, but it is just good business to have give and take throughout the transaction. They won't even hand you all your food at the drive-thru until you give them money!

Blahnde

 

[spiceycat]

I have NEVER had any problems.

some people are very, very nervous to rent points. to me it says that I trust them. if you don't. then don't rent.

the DVC member controls everything. the renter controls nothing.

giving them a reservation confirmation just says (to me anyway) that I am doing my part of the agreement.

ask for half payment upon receiving the confirmation and half 90 days before they leave for the DVC vacation.

there was only one time when a renter did not pay the DVC member and everyone here basically say the DVC member was crazy not to cancel the reservation. of course there could be situation that I have not heard about.

 

[Granny]

In addition to the Rental Contract thread that Spicey provided, I'd advise you to take a look at this Point Rental Primer thread. It's a year old but the advice and opinions in it are solid.

 

[DVC Mike]

Anyway, before I go ahead and rent out to someone, has anyone had any problems with renters? i.e. - damaging the room or smoking in a non smoking room etc? And if so, how have you handled it?

According to the POS, Disney will hold you (the DVC member) and not the renter responsible for any damage to the rooms:

"the renting Club Member will be responsible for the acts or omissions of the renters or any other person or persons permitted by the Club Member to use the Vacation Home".

 

[Sammie]

DVC Mike is correct, any damages revert back to the Member not Disney or DVC.

It is for this very reason that I will not allow my renters to sublet, which some others on this board do allow.

Why would anyone sublet points. That makes no sense to me at all.

 

[JimMIA]

According to the POS, Disney will hold you (the DVC member) and not the renter responsible for any damage to the rooms:

"the renting Club Member will be responsible for the acts or omissions of the renters or any other person or persons permitted by the Club Member to use the Vacation Home".

Mike's point is well-taken. I have not heard of any actual situations where DVC has gone after an owner for problems with a renter, but I have heard of one situation with an owner's relative whose room charges were not paid (due to a DVC error) and the owner's account was tied up. There's no reason to think that room damage, etc would be handled any differently.

You can try to insulate yourself from this risk through provisions in your contract, but DVC is going to look to you. You're the owner, and you are responsible. Period.

Your option -- in the unlikely event that came up -- would be to pay the bill and either persuade the renter to pay you, or sue them.

Unfortunately, contracts are more helpful for clarifying each party's responsibilities than they are for recovering losses. While litigation may sound sexy, it would probably not be economically feasible unless they burned a building down. The costs would be more than the damage charges in most cases.

 

[JimMIA]

Why would anyone sublet points. That makes no sense to me at all.

Actually, that is not only nonsensical, it doesn't even seem possible. How would the renter change the names on the ressie?

 

[billmac50]

Thanks to all, you've been very helpful.

 

[Caskbill]

While a renter cannot directly sublet a DVC rental, I do know where the DVC owners allow a reassignment of the rental.

Someone rents something from a DVC-owner.
They later find they cannot go, and their contract has a non-cancellation clause.

The DVC owner should not have to go out and try to rent the unit again, he's already done that. But he may allow the renter to try to find someone else who would like to use the rental in his place.

If the renter finds someone else, the owner will make a new contract with that new person and release the original renter from the contract. In this case it's not actually a sublet, but a reassignment of the rental agreement.

We've had a few people post on our Rent/Trade board, over the years, where this type of 'sublet/reassignment' was used.

Keep in mind, this all depends on what the original DVC owner is willing to allow.

 

[goalie5hole]

And good luck trying to get money out of someone that caused damage to the room after the vacation is over.

 

[Blahnde]

While a renter cannot directly sublet a DVC rental, I do know where the DVC owners allow a reassignment of the rental.

Thank you, Caskbill, for standing up for me!

I have read several posts on this board about others allowing for "reassignment/sublet" IN their contracts! Yes, I know the owner must be involved and yes, some people get a second contract. But others put the ability to "reassign/sublet" into the contract with the original renter, and I think that is a mistake.

I personally believe that the only real purpose of any contract is to make both parties clear as to their rights and responsibilities. Honest people want to know what they are getting and what they need to do to get it. Disnhonest people do not care, and then a contract becomes a litigation tool and nothing more.

Of course, I will also agree that while the contracts may offer some help in litigation, the costs involved in actually taking an issue to court would generally outweigh the benefits.

But what I do know is that "reassingment/sublet" does happen!

Blahnde

 

[rinkwide]

And good luck trying to get money out of relatives that caused damage to the room after the vacation is over.

Fixed that for you.

 

[goalie5hole]

Fixed that for you.

Are you speaking from experience?? UGH!!!!!

 

[CarolMN]

Are you speaking from experience?? UGH!!!!!

Well, most of the horror stories reported on these boards do seem to involve relatives, LOL.

 

[Dean]

While technically the member is ultimately responsible, the risk is very small. The resort will be able to go after anyone who leaves a CC on the reservation if they choose. I only know of two instances of charges (not damages) and DVC backed down in one of them and in the other the member didn't push them enough to know.

While it should be a consideration, it should not be a deterrent that keeps one from renting. I would agree that a third party would increase the risk somewhat and would be leery to allow a sub-rent.

 

[OKW Mom]

I let our daughter's Venture crew use the GV at HHI over Spring break 2004.

A leader rented a kayak and paid with his cc.

Months later when I tried to bank my remaining points I was told there was an outstanding charge- it took alot of time to identify it and then I tracked down the guest and he got the CC info.

1st DVC said it was paid, then not paid, then finally marked it paid and I could bank my points. I was sweating it, as they were going to keep me from banking if I could not prove the $40 something charge was paid.

That experience alone would make me hesitate to rent unless I had an ironclad contract to recoup expenses.