Villa -direct with owner

[pickers1982]

Bout to book my first villa ever. Only ones I like are direct with the owner. That said I'm really struggling paying money directly to someone who may disappear or be a fraud for example. Just seems risky! Anyone had the same doubts?

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I have booked direct a few times and know how you feel, it does rely on trust. However, I normally check the Osceola Property Appraiser records, at least that confirms they own the property they are renting out and let's you know if their taxes are up to date

 

[Tony Toon]

I have booked direct a few times and know how you feel, it does rely on trust. However, I normally check the Osceola Property Appraiser records, at least that confirms they own the property they are renting out and let's you know if their taxes are up to date

Likewise. We have now booked direct with owners since 2003 and have never had a problem. The first year we did it I worried incessantly, partly because I had booked for my sister and her family as well as us and so felt responsible for their holiday as well. Owners take a big risk letting you use their home as well. You could leave the place in a real mess and be difficult to chase for compensation. They really stand to lose far more than we do in the long run. It's a two way trust situation. Having said that I know not everyone has been as lucky as us.

Mrs TT

 

[pickers1982]

Likewise. We have now booked direct with owners since 2003 and have never had a problem. The first year we did it I worried incessantly, partly because I had booked for my sister and her family as well as us and so felt responsible for their holiday as well. Owners take a big risk letting you use their home as well. You could leave the place in a real mess and be difficult to chase for compensation. They really stand to lose far more than we do in the long run. It's a two way trust situation. Having said that I know not everyone has been as lucky as us. Mrs TT

Thanks everyone. Haven't heard any horror stories yet which is good!

 

[Jakejosh4]

Ok sorry horror story to follow...... Went in 2009 booked here in the UK through an ad in Daultpns Weékly. Paid £ 800 per week for a villa in Formosa Gardens. Arrived at the villa at around 8 pm with a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Brought our own bedding for the little one made up the cot and put him to sleep. Then looked around the villa there were ants everywhere. It looked like they had cleaned the kitchen with the same cloth they used for the toilet as we found pubic hairs on the work tops and in the fridge. The bed linen was dirty and the towels a horrible dirty grey colour. There was scum all around the pool so we could not go in it. We were devastated neither me or my husband slept all night we were itchy from the dirty beds. The next day we tried to get hold of the management company left millions of messages but no reply. Spent the whole day cleaning washing bedding towels etc and tried to find somewhere else to stay. On the Monday finally got hold of the owner and cried down the phone to give us a refund so we could find somewhere else, they agreed and confirmed that they were that very week changing management companies and that was why we had had no response, we moved to another home via another management company and what a difference it was like moving from a travel lodge to a five star hotel. We now either stay onsite or book through a company like Florida 4 less so we have some come back if the place is bad. This is a rare problem as we had booked privately before and have been very happy.

 

[JoC-UK]

I agree doing a property search is really worthwhile as at least it prevents the worst possible situation of arriving there and the property not existing/owned by someone else.

We have been renting villas for 10 years since we went when our eldest was a baby and have loved the extra space.

We have had villas that have been better than others but still feel it's worth the risk.

I always check how old the photos are as the first villa we rented had not been updated for a long time. Last year we got to the villa and the cleaning hadn't been thorough so I ended up spending a few hours cleaning it on the night we arrived which was not much fun after the flight but it could have been worse.

 

[pickers1982]

I agree doing a property search is really worthwhile as at least it prevents the worst possible situation of arriving there and the property not existing/owned by someone else. We have been renting villas for 10 years since we went when our eldest was a baby and have loved the extra space. We have had villas that have been better than others but still feel it's worth the risk. I always check how old the photos are as the first villa we rented had not been updated for a long time. Last year we got to the villa and the cleaning hadn't been thorough so I ended up spending a few hours cleaning it on the night we arrived which was not much fun after the flight but it could have been worse.

Do you have any particular recommendations?

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I have found my vacation rentals on VRBO. I normally look for a condo or Town Home. The last condo I rented was managed by a Florida Sun Vacation Homes and it was very clean and well maintained. If you look at their website it may give you a few ideas