Villa Security Deposit Cheques

[Stuartpaul]

Has anybody experienced their security deposit cheque being cashed before they go and then refunded when they get back?

This is the first time it's happened to us and seems unusual. On all previous occasions the cheque has remained uncashed unless there's a problem.

Any comments please.

Stuart

 

[vernon]

In my experience it's usually done by the agents taking a credit card print which is "torn up" if no damage. I would say that's fairly unusual, although I can understand why someone with no agent would "cash" the cheque as it would be possible for someone to stop the cheque if it was left in a drawer.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

We paid our security deposit by cheque for our villa in July - and it was cashed, and we had our deposit returned within 2 days of our arrival back home - we booked our villa directly with the owner.

Cath

 

[RUSHBURY]

Yes - our security cheques have always been cashed and then returned, usually within 14 days of returning.

One of the reasons why the cheques are normally cashed is that a 'stop payment' can be put on the cheque and when the villa owner tries to cash the cheque - after - damage etc has been done to their villa - they can't get the money, whereas if they already have the money they can then either keep the money for damages or return the security deposit - in full.

Helen

 

[snookhams]

The villa owner that we use asks for the security deposit to be added to the final payment so just one cheque is sent, and then returned when the keys are sent back (she sends the keys to you in the UK before you go so that you don't have to dirve around looking for a management agent), we usually ask for the security deposit to be knocked of our next hire which will already have been booked or as part of the deposit for the next booking!

 

[Sue & Co.]

Yes, we've given one cheque for the final balance plus security deposit and have been promised the money back within 14 days once their agent has checked the villa. I agree with the previous writer unless they have the facility to take credit cards (and individual owners don't ) it is the only way they can protect themselves.

 

[JANNYANS]

As an ownerI have to agree cashing the cheque is a form of protection against it being stopped if there is any damage.I add the security to the final amount and cash it all together the security is then returned within 2 weeks.