Vacation Home Deposit Refundable?

[pipervali]

Hi all, I hope this is the right area for this query.

We're slated to go to Orlando in September, and I've already made a $250 deposit on a rental home, with the rest meant to be paid in full by the beginning of August. Well now my traveling companion is really wanting to stay on property at Disney instead.

If I canceled the vacation home rental, would I be forfeiting my deposit? I realize it's probably up to the homeowner, but as a general rule is anyone aware what cancellation policies usually are on most rental properties?

 

[Sunrisedream]

The reservation deposit is usually non refundable, but as you say it is up to the owner as they would be left with dates they may not be able to fill at this late stage

 

[Freaky]

As stated generally the deposit is non-refundable but it may be possible to get some refund if the owner is able to get the dates rebooked - worth while asking the question.

 

[JANNYANS]

It may be if the owner fills the dates they may consider refunding money less any admin fees they have to pay in respect of the new booking.For example they may have to pay a referral fee and take that from your deposit.You can only ask.

 

[mickeynut1]

Not sure who you're renting through (sounds like a private owner), but we've rented through All Star Vacation Homes 2 times and their policy is the deposit is non-refundable. Although as others have said, it doesn't hurt to ask....all they can say is "no" .

 

[pipervali]

Thanks for all the advice gang. I'm currently weighing the options now, because staying on Dis property is now a big priority(I wish she would have thought of this six months ago), but I'm not too thrilled at losing over 200 dollars. Sigh, decisions decisions.

Thanks again!

 

[sluggozmom]

I am renting from a private owner. My $200 deposit is fully refundable up until 8 weeks prior to arrival date, and 50% 4 weeks prior.
It never hurts to ask

 

[FayeW]

Thanks for all the advice gang. I'm currently weighing the options now, because staying on Dis property is now a big priority(I wish she would have thought of this six months ago), but I'm not too thrilled at losing over 200 dollars. Sigh, decisions decisions.

Thanks again!

Well, this seems simple enough. Tell your travelling companion that you are willing to cancel your reservation and switch resorts, but the deposit is non-refundable and since you are cancelling to accomodate her wishes, she needs to reimburse you. There is no way I would lose $250. of MY money, because somebody else wants to be difficult.

OP, are you footing the bill for your companion's trip?

 

[dioxide45]

OP, are you footing the bill for your companion's trip?

If the answer were yes, I would be saying "You are staying where I am paying for" and keeping the current rental. Something tells me the answer is no or the person wouldn't be so adamant about staying on property.

 

[pipervali]

Actually the traveling companion is my mother, and I'm paying the majority of it as a birthday present, so I'm trying to be as easy going about the whole thing as possible, but I'm spending upwards of 3k for this trip, I'd like to not have to just blow money in general.

It is looking like the Dis hotel she wanted isn't available though, so that might have just saved me the cash lol

 

[troobabiee7]

Actually the traveling companion is my mother, and I'm paying the majority of it as a birthday present, so I'm trying to be as easy going about the whole thing as possible, but I'm spending upwards of 3k for this trip, I'd like to not have to just blow money in general.

It is looking like the Dis hotel she wanted isn't available though, so that might have just saved me the cash lol

Good luck working it all out! Usually the deposit is non-refundable if you rent through a company whereas it is refundable for a certain amount of time through the owner. We're renting through the owner for next August and the $100 deposit is fully refundable until March.

 

[mncherokee]

It sounds like your deposit is on a house rather than a condo. Let her know how much more room you will have... and show her pictures of the house (and her room)... this should help get her excited for staying there.

We loved being able to get away and have the space.

 

[pipervali]

Yeah, showing her the hot tub in particular I figured was a good way to steer her over to the dark side. She seems to have let it go for now. I told her there's always next time to stay on property at Disney. Though I'm not sure that was very convincing since this year is the first time we're going to be down in the last 10.

 

[mncherokee]

Isn't traveling with family fun? We almost traveled with in-laws, but they decided not to go a couple of months before our departure date... although later mother-in-law wished she was coming. So we actually booked the house thinking we would have more people. Since they weren't coming, they actually helped pay for our share of the house and we had more room. So, it worked out well for us.