VRBO condo rental questions

[v.t.]

We are going to rent a condo through vrbo.com. The owners want all payments in advance; the full rental amount and a security deposit. Is this standard? Is there any way to check out the place?

 

[Freaky]

Generally owners will require the full payment if it is now only 6-8 weeks before your vacation dates. It really depends on their own set of Terms & Conditions, but if you are in that time frame, yes it is normal. Some will have the Security Deposit paid at that time too, others will take a credit card authorisation but again this will depend on the individual owner.

You can check the ownership of the condo on the local property appraisers site (there is one for each county) and perhaps ask for details of their management company so you can give them a call to check it out too. Also look at the guest reviews of the property and ask are the property photos up to date.

 

[Byron13]

It is normal to take full payment up to 10 weeks before your arrival date. The owner wants a security deposit to cover any damage made to the property.

I do not go by guest reviews, anyone can write a good report on a property.

You can check through property appraisal how long they have owned the property, only need their full name.

 

[alecam]

I heave rented through VRBO numerous times also and have always had to send in all monies in advance. I have yet to have any problems.

 

[sjanus]

You can also take vacation insurance. One site I know about is www.insuremytrip.com with different insurers, etc. Sometimes the management company the owner has will also offer insurance. Anytime you are spending that much money, it is worth considering, in case of an emergency situation that occurs after the cancellation date.

Sandy

 

[chris1gill]

We have a condo that we rent through homeaway.com & we require all payments in advance. Every owner has their own set of terms. We require the second and final bill to be paid 30 days in advance. We do use a contract & make sure the owner you are dealing with uses a contract, it protects both of you.

As for checking with the management company, that probably won't work since the owner is renting on their own, they probably do not have a management company. You can call the homeowners association to confirm good standing and star rating if applicable. If it is part of a resort you can call the resorts business office to confirm the same details.

Try to get pictures if they don't post them, and if after talking to the owner you still aren't comfortable you could ask to call or email for references, or just move on to another owner. I don't think you will find an owner that doesn't require full payment in advance however.

 

[JANNYANS]

Any owner renting a home or condo has to have a management company on call 24/7 as part of their license requirements.

As already stated paying in advance is not unusual -depending on the individual owner the time scale may change.
Once you know which county the home is in you can check ownership on the appropriate county website and also check the tax collector site just to make sure all is up to date.

 

[v.t.]

Thanks for the information! We called and spoke to the owners. They were very nice and provided extra pictures. We sent in our checks, so Anna Maria Island, here we come!