The villa we are renting is for sale!

[GibboFLA]

Hi just a quick question. I have booked a villa for next Easter and when I did a web search it came up as "for sale".

This has not been mentioned in any of the villa adverts or booking paperwork, and I wondered what happens if they sell it before our holiday?

I realise that the housing market is not at it's best, but it still concerns me.

Cheers for any advice.

 

[penlanspice]

If and when they sell the villa it will probably depend on the buyers, some buyers will want to continue renting and will honor the booking, if the buyer doesn't want to rent they should refund your money. This has happened to us and we had a refund.

 

[RDP]

We stayed in a villa a few years ago. When we arrived it had a for sale sign outside! We had no problems and no interruptions (This villa was booked via VH and not a private arrangement)

 

[GibboFLA]

Just for information, I have taken some legal advise on this matter. By paying the deposit were are now in a contract with the owner to rent the villa. We therefore could not cancel the rental without losing the deposit.

Their side of the contract is to supply the villa at the dates agreed. If they sell the villa and we are not able to stay, they will be in breach of the contract.

We would then need to get other accomodation, and costs incurred in this may be recoverable from the original renter.

I mentioned that I thought that they had not been entirely honest with us, as they are trying to sell their villa, but didn't inform us, and was told it could have been handled "more openly".

We are therefore committed to the villa, but with the threat that it could be sold at any time and we could be searching madly for another villa even the week before we leave.

Not a very happy bunny!

 

[Netty]

Have you told the villa owners that you know the villa is up for sale?
If you tell them about your concerns they may offer you your deposit back, they have nothing to lose as they are selling it anyway

 

[flortlebap]

Have you told the villa owners that you know the villa is up for sale?
If you tell them about your concerns they may offer you your deposit back, they have nothing to lose as they are selling it anyway

I would suggest that too. If you were suing them for breach of contract it would fall under US jurisdiction. Suing someone abroad could be a nightmare!

Did you book through a TA? The villa is probably being sold as a rental home anyway so I'd hope you'd be ok...