Questions to ask before renting a condo or townhome?

[aj2hall]

We're planning kind of a last minute trip in January and looking to rent a townhouse or condo. Just wondering what kinds of questions to ask or info to know before renting? My husband and I will be travelling with just our youngest child (he's 5). We're looking at Windsor Hills, but have not made any decisions yet. Would appreciate any advice

 

[cammie810]

Hi! We are staying at Windsor Hills now in a condo. It is extremely close to WDW so really convenient and the pool here is great! A ton of space and much cheaper than staying in Disney. Plenty of dishes and towels so you dont need to worry about that. Of course, the only thing is you absolutely need to have a car so you can get your groceries. Plus, we arrived late on Friday night and had to pick up the keys from a rental office and return there during office hours the next day to drop off a registration form. Some condos give you a code that you can use to access the lock instead of an actual key.

 

[sjanus]

First when deciding, I look at pictures, amenities, availability calendars (to see if they get good bookings)...then narrow it down to a few that I like. I really look at communication between myself and the owner (important they respond to you right away and communicate effectively.)

Then next questions: how much is deposit, when is final payment due, what are the terms and conditions for cancellation, security deposit, etc. I would also ask if they have a management company to care for our needs once on the property. Also, I would want to know how to access property when you arrive (lockbox, keyless entry code, pick up key), when you should expect final details (address, codes, etc.).

Always best to pay by charge card, as it gives you the best protection.

Once you have owner's name, you can check on the tax site for that county to see if they are up to date with their taxes, etc.

Hope that helps.

Sandy

 

[aj2hall]

First when deciding, I look at pictures, amenities, availability calendars (to see if they get good bookings)...then narrow it down to a few that I like. I really look at communication between myself and the owner (important they respond to you right away and communicate effectively.)

Then next questions: how much is deposit, when is final payment due, what are the terms and conditions for cancellation, security deposit, etc. I would also ask if they have a management company to care for our needs once on the property. Also, I would want to know how to access property when you arrive (lockbox, keyless entry code, pick up key), when you should expect final details (address, codes, etc.).

Always best to pay by charge card, as it gives you the best protection.

Once you have owner's name, you can check on the tax site for that county to see if they are up to date with their taxes, etc.

Hope that helps.

Sandy

Great information. Thank you!

 

[eeyorepixie]

Thanks for posting this I am getting ready to take the leap myself and was wondering what I should ask too.
I have read 2 other things to ask
1. How long ago the pictures were taken
2. When was the last time the house was given a "deep" cleaning
now lets hope we are not going for the same place

 

[crusoe2]

You might also want to ask about any housekeeping you 'll be expected to do on your checkout day. It isn't unusual to be asked to strip the beds, wash up any dirty dishes and towels, etc. Our first time renting a condo we didn't take that into account and it made for a hectic last day.

 

[aj2hall]

Thanks for all of the responses. Just curious if there's a way to find out if the homeowners association fees are paid in full? One of the owners websites mentioned not being able to use the pool unless the fees were current.

 

[sjanus]

Thanks for all of the responses. Just curious if there's a way to find out if the homeowners association fees are paid in full? One of the owners websites mentioned not being able to use the pool unless the fees were current.

Due to privacy issues, they won't be able to let you know about the homeowner's fees. But if you are looking at Windsor Hills, I can tell you that www.windsorhillsbest.com website does require owners to be paid up on their HOA fees in order to advertise...they must send a letter from the HOA and they also make sure they are owners of the property and taxes are paid up before they are allowed to advertise. They also check up on the owners periodically. It is the site recommended by the Masters Association of Windsor Hills on their website. So all owners on there are verified for HOA's, taxes, and that they are owners of properties advertised. In this day and age that is good to know!

Sandy

 

[sjanus]

Thanks for posting this I am getting ready to take the leap myself and was wondering what I should ask too.
I have read 2 other things to ask
1. How long ago the pictures were taken
2. When was the last time the house was given a "deep" cleaning
now lets hope we are not going for the same place

I really like the "deep cleaning" question, think this is one I'll be asking from now on. I would think at a minimum a deep clean should be done at least twice per year, every 6 months, for homes rented a lot! This is so important to the upkeep of a home and usually is when inventories are taken, things updated, refreshed, replaced, etc.

I think in a good conversation with an owner a lot can be revealed, how often they visit, how invested they are in their home as far as adding items, replacing items, listening to guests recommendations and making changes needed, etc.

Sandy

 

[mbb]

and from a few years ago...I'll post it, and make changes.
Suggestions are welcome!!!


________________________________________________________________

Tips and Information for Condo, Townhome, Villa/House Rentals
Considering a condo, townhome or villa/house vacation?
Here are some tips to get you started!

1) Set up a new email address – one of the freebies. When you send out a mass general inquiry through some of the websites, your “home” email is going to be inundated with replies. Having one addy for trip planning just makes things more organized.

2) Determine your vacation “wants” versus “needs”.
Does your family of 4 want or need the 7 bedroom house?
Do you “just need a place to sleep”?
Or are you looking for an amenity laden property?
Does every bedroom have to have a bathroom? A group traveling with teenagers may “need” a property with a games room. Private pool? Splash pool? Or community pool? Spa, hot tub or Jacuzzi? Need to bake in the sun by the pool? Need a shaded area on the lanai? Want free long distance calls? USKing beds, USqueen beds? Twins? Internet? Gas bbq? TVs in all the bedrooms? Golfers may need to be close to a course? Shoppers close to shopping? It may surprise you to realize that your group has more needs than you thought to have a terrific vacation!

3) Determine your budget. This is going to help separate out your wants and needs fast!

4) Have a look around. Any of the search engines will pull up THOUSANDS of sites when you type in just about anything regarding vacation property rentals. Have a look at the OH&A board sponsor.

5) Now, go back to your wants, needs and budget.
Are there any sites in the looking around that look like it might work?
Go directly to Step #6.
Not sure?
Send out a “General Inquiry”. Most of the sites will have these. What you will have to do to get a NO OBLIGATION response is provide some basic information. How many bedrooms do you need? How many people are traveling? And what are your dates? Are the dates flexible? Provide that email addy you set up in Step #1, and sit back. You’ll probably have your first responses in less than an hour. Wait a day or two, and you’ll be glad you set up the alternate email address.

6) Found a few properties that are interesting to you?

7) Send an email to the owners of your short list.

8) Now here’s where things can really break down fast.
Ask every question you can think of, because now is the time to get all the tough stuff out of the way.
Great vacations are all about feelings and emotions. Renting a property is all about business.
Get the business out of the way, and then you can concentrate on having a great vacation!

*SAMPLE* email questions, YMMV:
Do you personally own the property?
Is there, or has there ever been, a lien placed against the property?
Is the property currently in distress, short sale, for sale?
Is the property fully and legally licensed and insured for short term rental?
Do you have testimonials from other guests?
How long have you been with your Management Company?
Are you happy with their services?
Are your previous guests happy with their services?
How do you handle complaints?
How does your management company handle complaints?
If the property is suddenly not available for my rental period, how will I be compensated?
How is your home heated or cooled?
Can I adjust the temperature myself?
Is the property regularly maintained?
Pest control?
Heavy cleaning?
Inventory checks?
How is the pool (community or private) heated?
Is the community pool heated? (Other than the cleanliness of the property, pool heat is the biggest complaint of renters and owners alike. Which means it will be addressed by itself below)

9) Pool Heat.
Are you dreaming of returning from the parks, and slipping into a lovely, warm pool?
Then you NEED to ask the following:
How is the pool heated? Gas, electric, solar?
Gas heat will give you the most consistent temperature, usually 80-84*. Electric will do a great job too, as long as the air temperature outside stays above 50* or so, but as the air temps fluctuate, so may your pool temps. Air temps fall below that 50*, your pool heater shuts off. And the pool gets colder quick.
Solar is fairly self explanatory, and will usually be “free of charge” or considerably cheaper than other rentals you’ve seen. Remember, though, your pool may not be toasty warm.
Some homes will have a combination of any of the above methods of pool heating.
Pool heat in the summer months is a different story, and may not be needed at all.
October to May is generally the time frame for recommended pool heating.

Pool covers.
Is there one? If there is, use it. Your pool will stay warmer.

10) OUTDOOR Spas, hot tubs, spa tubs, jacuzzis, stand alone hot tubs, paddling pools, children’s wading pools, bubbling spas, bubble tubs...these things have all sorts of names.
For some, these are a definite need. Not so much for others. And here is one area that can make a definite impact on your budget.
Vacation properties with this amenity are traditionally a little more expensive. Again, if you want one of these, ask specific questions.
What looks like a spa attached to the pool could just be a little pool – no warmer than the big pool, and with 2 circulating jets.
Or, the spa attached to the end of a pool could be a full on 104*, with massive amounts of massage jets.
If you want this spa to be hotter than the pool, ask if it gets hotter than the pool.
And how does it get hotter than the pool?
IS there a separate heating control?
And again, gas, electric or solar?
Do you want the jets? Ask if there are massage or circulating jets.

11) INDOOR spa, hot tub or jacuzzis.
Want one of these in your master suite?
Some homes advertise a jacuzzi tub, and guess what?
No bubbles.
Sure it’s a “Jacuzzi “tub, made by the nice people at the company called Jacuzzi, but doesn’t have the features of what may be assumed all Jacuzzi brand tubs have...it could just be a really great tub for soaking, and complete with Jacuzzi branding, just no bubble abilities.
Want the bubbles, or the soaking version? Ask.

12) Splash Pools.
Some townhome properties will have these private little pools, generally 5’ deep, located in the patio off the living area.
Some have the massage jets, some don’t.
They’re a terrific alternative to having to schlep the kids to the community pool when the adults just want to relax at the townhome.
And they’re great for the adults to float around in and relax too.
They’re not anywhere as large a pool with a detached, single family property, but definitely a great amenity.
Again, ask for specifics from the owner.
Is there room for chairs around the pool is a great question for parents.
Even though the pools are little, supervision is always a must.

13) Ground floor, elevator or stair building? Assigned parking?

14) Gated community? Guard house community?

15) Terms and Conditions.
Most homeowners will provide a copy of this on their site, or forward one to you with your inquiry email.
It’s going to have, or should have, answers to all the questions about how to pay, deposits, cleaning fees, pool heat, cancellation penalties, changes..all those goodies.
If something isn’t clear, ask.

16) Daily living questions...this is where you can ask specifics about how this property will fit your life while on vacation.
Like to throw supper in a crock pot? Ask if there is one.
BBQ available with the property? Gas or charcoal?
Or does the MC rent them to you at additional charge?
TV/gaming systems? Cable? WiFi? Long distance, local, international calls? Baby equipment? Fishing equipment? Bikes?
When were the mattresses last replaced?
Are the blankets washed?
Pool towels? Face cloths? Coffee maker? Filters? Blender? Tea pot? Baking utensils?
Whatever you use everyday....ask about it now.

OK, so that’s pretty detailed, and generally, these “daily living” questions are asked in a second email to homeowners once you’ve nailed down positives on your big absolute needs....and they may all be answered on the property website.

The thing is, the more you know up front about the business of vacation, the less you have to worry about while on vacation.

Hope this helps!

_______________________________________

Longer than I thought

And could add so much more.

I think I'll leave it as is for tonight though!! LOL!!

 

[aj2hall]

Thank you for all of the detailed questions. Lots of stuff that I might not have thought to ask, but could be important to my family. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question and for all of the helpful info.

 

[mbb]

Now, I have to go finish packing!!
I leave for Disney today!!!!

 

[BellyBaby]

WOW! That was a massive list of questions. You might want to only ask the questions that are relevant to you and your family. IMHO, asking about how long they've been with a management company won't give you any real info anyways. If they aren't happy with the company, the owners likely won't share that to a prospective renter, anyways. Has there ever been a lien on the house in the past? Who knows? As long as it's not current, who cares?

Of course you are free to ask whatever you like, but maybe ask what you feel is important...This used to be my list:

1. taxes paid, resort facilities are accessable to you (unfortunately, I have been waiting at the clubhouse and seen families come in complaining about no cable...unpaid HOA fees means cable gets cut off by HOA committee). You could phone the clubhouse, "If I stay at ## address, will I have access to the facilities? It might get you around the privacy issues, you're not asking if HOA is paid, you're asking if you can access the facilities. Tricky!
2. home is not for sale or foreclosure
3. home is cleaned well
4. contact info if you need assistance while there (including a number if you feel home is not what you expected - including photos that were representative of the home)
5. any other important details (highchair, stroller availability, etc).
6. Ask to see the rental agreement first - this one is completely understandable.
7. Reviews on HomeAway or VRBO (if that's how you found the home) Reviews submitted directly by guests have tons more weight than the owner-submitted reviews. See if there are reviews from people from a wide range of geographical areas...that way, odds are likely they are REAL reviews.
8. Examine photos extra hard. Is the pool area only half-showing? Is that because there's a neighboring pool 10 feet away? Are there bulky (tube) TV's balancing on the dressers that might be a safety issue with little ones? Is the home decorated in a way that shows the owners care?

It's easier to go through this process once you have a few places narrowed down. THEN you go into detail to widdle your list. Have fun!