Renting Condos: Common pitfalls/things to look out for?

[Katie Dawn]

So I'm debating between a hotel vs. renting condo (without this board I wouldn't have even realized these condos existed!). Staying in a hotel is standard practice and I know what to do. Renting a condo...I'm a newbie. You ladies and gentlemen, though, are not newbies, and I know you have sage wisdom for someone like me!

I've checked out a couple of sites that were recommended through this board and know one thing I've noticed is everyone does fees different. (I know this is because each condo is individually owned) Some do cleaning fees, others don't. Some do security deposits, & those may or may not be applied towards your total costs. Often the initial listing doesn't mention anything about fees so I'll need to contact them directly and ask before making a decision. So...

1) What are all the different potential fees that I need to ask about? If I ask for a bottom line total price (including taxes) should that cover me? I don't want to get surprised later and realize I didn't get a good deal at all!

2) Looks like going through some of the rental sites gives you some protection from fraud. Any other advice there?

3) Should I look for someone who accepts PayPal? Or is paying through credit card fine?

4) Finally...I'll just take any general advice you've got. For instance, I just read on another post about typically being asked to take out trash, wash linens & towels, etc before leaving which is fine with us. Anything else I might not know/ought to know?

Thanks!

 

[Brian Noble]

I always prefer properties with lock boxes or management on site for key pick up/drop off. It can be a pain to drive across town to an out-of-the-way management company to pick up a key.

I also prefer to have a damage "deposit" taken as a card authorization rather than a payment that has to be refunded.

 

[Katie Dawn]

Thanks Brian! Never would have thought of either one of those on my own.

 

[sympatico]

So I'm debating between a hotel vs. renting condo (without this board I wouldn't have even realized these condos existed!). Staying in a hotel is standard practice and I know what to do. Renting a condo...I'm a newbie. You ladies and gentlemen, though, are not newbies, and I know you have sage wisdom for someone like me!

I've checked out a couple of sites that were recommended through this board and know one thing I've noticed is everyone does fees different. (I know this is because each condo is individually owned) Some do cleaning fees, others don't. Some do security deposits, & those may or may not be applied towards your total costs. Often the initial listing doesn't mention anything about fees so I'll need to contact them directly and ask before making a decision. So...

1) What are all the different potential fees that I need to ask about? If I ask for a bottom line total price (including taxes) should that cover me? I don't want to get surprised later and realize I didn't get a good deal at all!
The cleaning fee is usually included if you stay a week or more (sometimes it's 5 days or more). For a condo it's just cleaning and taxes. Just ask for a total including all fees and taxes.

2) Looks like going through some of the rental sites gives you some protection from fraud. Any other advice there?
We usually get cancellation insurance in case we have to cancel due to an emergency. If an emergency comes up at the last minute and you can't go and you don't have insurance you'll lose it all. Some owners may let you put it toward another date but that's not always the case. We use insuremytrip.com.

3) Should I look for someone who accepts PayPal? Or is paying through credit card fine?
I like using PayPal (give them my credit card) or a credit card and as Brian said having the damage deposit as a hold on the credit card rather than an actual cheque.

4) Finally...I'll just take any general advice you've got. For instance, I just read on another post about typically being asked to take out trash, wash linens & towels, etc before leaving which is fine with us. Anything else I might not know/ought to know?
You'll have to buy extra toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, laundry detergent etc during your stay. There's starter amounts of this but it runs out quickly. Before we leave we usually put all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and start it (some want the dishes done and put away), strip the beds and put all the dirty towels in the laundry room. We always put one load in the washer and start it. If we have time and that load is done, I put it in the dryer and another load in the washer. Dispose of all you leftover food and take out the garbage. It's seems like a lot but you can do it very quickly. There will be a binder with instructions and information on the counter or somewhere so that you can see what to do.
We love staying this way and wouldn't want to go back to a hotel for anything more than a few days.
Thanks!

It's hard to know what to ask for the first time but if you think of anything else just post it and someone will help.