Question to villa owners

[LurkerLisa]

Hi, I have rented houses in Orlando more than 5 times and once in Park City, UT and there are a few things that I don't understand and I'm hoping that some owners can help me

1. Why am I asked to do laundry or run the dishwasher when no supplies to do so are provided?

2. What do you do with the tons of salt and pepper shakers, trash bags, ziplocks, laundry soap, dishwasher soap, and all of the other condiments that are left in your homes?

3. Why is there no tupperware or gladware or anything like that in the houses?

The reason that I ask is that the condo in Park City that I rented had all of those things and I cannot tell you how happy our group was to not have to shell out the money for staples that we would barely use. The owner even had some canned goods, ketchup packets and any unopened whatevers in the pantry (you know, you buy pancake mix and syrup and never make the pancakes). Her only request was that if you finish something up that you replace it and we were GLAD to do so. This impressed me so much that I actually called her and asked how she did it cost wise. She said that the total lack of staples when she was a renter also drove her nuts , so when she bought a rental, she decided to try stocking it and seeing what happened and so far it's working out fine.

Now maybe there are some Orlando homes that do have some supplies and if so, plase PM me I'm looking for a house for spring break!

Thanks,
Lisa

 

[5mins2disney]

1. Why am I asked to do laundry or run the dishwasher when no supplies to do so are provided?

2. What do you do with the tons of salt and pepper shakers, trash bags, ziplocks, laundry soap, dishwasher soap, and all of the other condiments that are left in your homes?

3. Why is there no tupperware or gladware or anything like that in the houses?

I can tell you some homes do provide some of these items!

In general, the cleaning people are instructed to remove any food items from the homes, and they will always leave a refrigerator completely empty. They will leave things like salt & pepper, trash bags, dish soap, etc, if you write "leave behind" on the item in black marker, which is what we do. It frustrated us too, so we try and stock up on these items and write "leave behind" on them. I suspect they actually take these things and use them for themselves!

It just varies from home - home, some homes are better stocked and equipped than others basically, just like some homes have tons of things like towels, etc, while others don't seem to have enough.

 

[sympatico]

Hi Lurkerlisa,
We've run into this also. Some places have the staples left and some are clean as a whistle. I like the ones that have the staples, even odds and ends like paper clips or tape. This place that we stayed at in Davenport: Grand Reserve had some sugar, s/p, coffee, plastic and foil wrap, deterg etc. We used some and left stuff for others to use.
http://www.vrbo.com/31141 It's down at the south end of Old Lake Wilson Rd. only about 8 min to 192. Very nice.
The home in Port Charlotte: Rotonda had lots of stuff, the garage was even full of what you would have at home, tools, etc. They used the home a lot themselves. It was great. In Hawaii one of the condos had stuff and one didn't.

 

[isla bonita]

I am an owner of a 6 bed 5 bath rental home. I ask our guests to please clean all additional linens before they leave such as the terry robes and pool towels. If they could please strip the sheets and start a wash. The reason is it takes a long time to do all linen in order for our home to be ready for 4:00PM when guests will be checking in.

All items are either used by the cleaning crew or put in the trash. Our fridge and cupboards are clean when our guests arrive.

They are not given supplies because it is illegal to keep anything open in the home. All who rent have access to the man/co or direct knowledge from the owner if there are any questions. Just like a hotel you bring most of your items. They may have complimentary items for your use but generally you bring what you need for the time you would be staying.


It is illegal I have been told to leave anything open in the home. Are somethings left yes but generally they are stripped clean.

Because each home is individually owned some will have additional items and some will not. We spend a fair amount of time in our home and want it to reflect how we vacation. There are more toys then knick nacks. I think keeping kids happy makes for a very enjoyable vacation for the adults.

 

[Kay1]

We rent houses and condos quite often and usually there are cleaners available, sometimes left by maids and sometimes left by previous renters. The place we're staying in a few weeks always leaves small boxes of Tide, a packet of dishwasher detergent, a new roll of paper towels, and soap and toilet paper in the bathrooms. I, too, would wonder about be asked to do laundry, etcetera, without being provided supplies.

 

[Ali]

Hijack to ask another question


If your website/listing says grill available and crib available do you provide them for free when notified, provide a price list somewhere so people can know the fees before they decide to use them, or just charge a fee for them if requested without telling the renter what they cost?


Just wondering. First time renter hit with fees I didn't expect.

Thanks

 

[isla bonita]

All of the homes are owned individually. I would think that if they are listed they would be for any guest to use. That is how we do things but again every one is different.

I would ask all of these questions to the owners you have decided on. They will be able to give you specifics on their home.

 

[5mins2disney]

Hijack to ask another question


If your website/listing says grill available and crib available do you provide them for free when notified, provide a price list somewhere so people can know the fees before they decide to use them, or just charge a fee for them if requested without telling the renter what they cost?


Just wondering. First time renter hit with fees I didn't expect.

Thanks

Depends on the owner I suppose... we offer a crib for free. We also offer a full size crib and a grill for rent through our mgmt company, this is very clearly outlined on our website and communicated to guests during the booking or quoting process, there should never be any surprises in terms of "hidden" fees or charges.

 

[KayR]

Hijack to ask another question


If your website/listing says grill available and crib available do you provide them for free when notified, provide a price list somewhere so people can know the fees before they decide to use them, or just charge a fee for them if requested without telling the renter what they cost?


Just wondering. First time renter hit with fees I didn't expect.

Thanks

Personally I think that is bad form.

If we have the items at the home they are provided at no extra charge, but we just ask that they are left clean (otherwise we would have to charge more to cover the cleaning).

If it was something that a guest would need to pay for, then I like to be upfront about that. There is nothing worse than unexpected fees or feeling as though you are being nickeled and dimed. (for example resort fees from hotels - that really annoys me!!)

Our management company does rent out various items for a fee, but I think we have most of the things that they rent.

Did you rent direct from an owner? or from a managment company?

-Kay

 

[Ali]

Thanks. The owner has a management company who didn't answer my emails so the I emailed the owner and then the owner called the company to do the reservation and let them know I wanted the grill/crib. There is no mention of fees anywhere, and when I got a new conformation with another $130 dollars that I was charged and I was surprised. I was not told of the charges until after. Just made me feel uncomfortable, but the owner has been very pleasant.

 

[AJKMOM]

I hate to be paranoid, but I would not use any item left behind from a previous renter, especially food. Too much of a chance for contamination, you never know where that's been.

 

[andyhayley]

That is bad form.

We own a 6 bed, 7 bath home, and have a crib, and a summer grill/kitchen and both are included in the price.

We do have a note in the instructions that says something along the lines of 'if you could remove the sheets etc at the end of your stay, our cleaners would be grateful!', but we do not expect guests to do it, it is only really an issue with back to back (same day departure / arrival ) rentals where washing 6 sets of bedding, or worse still 12 if the guests have used both sets can be a challenge for the cleaners, but this is not the guests problem.

As far as supplies go, the cleaners have to remove everything that is open, as you do not know what may be in it. We do ask them to leave a 'starter pack' of basics, some dishwasher tablets, soap etc etc.

I think its a good idea when asking for a quote to ask if there are any extras, we work on the 'fully inclusive' option, if its listed on the website, its included and that includes all the baby equipment, the grill etc. The only extra is the pool heat, which is explained, and we only charge what it costs us to run.

I think you may have been unlucky, its a shame, hopefully it will not put you off renting in the future.

Oh... And we do have gladware as well

Andy

 

[Ali]

I have to say I have been wishing for some Disney magic lately - we typically have been onsite for a weekend every month, for the past 4 years, until I started working last August, that is. Lately we have been staying offsite in Condo-tels like LBV resort and World Quest because when we can find time to go my whole family wants to go and they prefer having a kitchen and a bedroom for their baby.to go to sleep and they can stay up later... can you imagine? We love being onsite and I am having serious withdrawls... good thing we are going to Saratoga on Sunday for a quick visit. Then Windsor Hills for a while next week, and again at POP in August! Then it's back to work for a teacher who loves Disneyfied Summer vacations.

And, I don't know if the rental thing is what I would do for my family alone, I like being onsite for the whole atsmosphere. My extended family likes offsite for the room. So we will be more questioning in the future when we rent, but we will do it again I am sure next summer.

And I will be bringing every paper product, cleaning product, and leftover storing product I can think of! Thanks fo the help!

 

[chris7]

The most pertinent question, for me at least, is if laundry detergent is not provideded but you are supposed to start the laundry for sheets, what guarantee do the next guests have that their sheets were washed with anything besides water??

I will buy detergent because I will have laundry to do while I'm there, but there's no guarantee that the people before us did.

Yuck.

 

[Kay1]

The most pertinent question, for me at least, is if laundry detergent is not provideded but you are supposed to start the laundry for sheets, what guarantee do the next guests have that their sheets were washed with anything besides water??

I will buy detergent because I will have laundry to do while I'm there, but there's no guarantee that the people before us did.

Yuck.

If I were an owner, I think I would stock up on boxes of detergents at the Dollar Tree and make it part of the welcoming package. It really wouldn't cost much at all.