VRBO potential problem...can anyone help?

[bamajill]

I reserved a five br/five ba home through a listing on VRBO back in March for a booking this November. We paid a deposit of $240 (which was received and confirmed via email). Owner said that the balance would be due 30 days before the reservation. No problem!

But a few days ago I start thinking...hey, we probably need to look at getting the $$ to this guy (he's in UK). Well, ummm.....his listing on VRBO is gone. He also had listings on vrflorida360villas.com and 360offshore.com. They are ALL gone. So I email him and haven't heard back yet. Ugh...I feel sick.

I realize he may be on vacation and hopefully I will hear something soon but I am feeling somewhat nervous about sending the additional $960 via check. I hate to be paranoid but what (if any) recourse would we have if we pay this guy and there turns out to be no house or something?

Any idea what I should do?

 

[spiceycat]

Jan is the expert.

but I think that VRBO requires proof of ownership. He could have sold it. most of the time the new owner will honor your rental - but I just don't know.

 

[isla bonita]

Is there another way to reach this person? I would try that first.

Just so you know a home can get a free web site and not decide to keep it so the home comes down. Does the home have its own web site?

On line put in the name of the home and see if that works.

 

[bamajill]

I tried searching....but nothing shows up right now.

It was called Belle Vue and in Windsor Hills. 5br/5ba.

It stills shows up on this page of 360offshore
http://www.360offshore.com/sitemap.htm

but when I click on the 'belle vue' link...it's not there. I don't know of any other way to get in touch w/them other than the email link provided by vrbo.com.

 

[mbb]

Oh dear... first thing, don't send any more money!

When you sent the deposit, did you have any kind of "contract" for renting?

Do you have the name or address of the owner - from when you sent them the deposit?

Spicey, do you have the link for the county registrar's deed office?
You can research the name of the owner of the property to verify that they do stilll own the house fairly easily..

Contact VRBO as well..I too, thought that ownership was verified there...

And you could give the management office in Windsor Hills a call as well.

Oh, and take a look at www.windsorhillsrents.com I think that's it...I'll check, as isla bonita said, it could still be listed, just somewhere else

HTH - and keep us posted




Edt'd to add... is this it?

http://www.windsorhillsrent.com/cgi-bin/members.cgi?fnct=details&id=84

Let us know what happens!

 

[bamajill]

Bless you! Yes, that is it.

If it is on that site you listed, should we be ok? Can I contact them and ask about the owner or what would you do?

You guys are so helpful....thank you SOOOO much!

 

[JANNYANS]

You can check the county website to see whether he still owns the home -if you don't how how to I'll do it for you if you pm me the name and address plus any other details you have.

http://www.property-appraiser.org/?...999fa07b2-58C4F54A-1143-DD7B-83FBA24514DBCE13
As others have said don't send him any more money yet until you have confirmation he still owns the home .

I am not aware that VRBO verifies its listings as they accept listings from management companies as well as individual owners so they couldn't operate a verification scheme very effectively .
Don't panic at the moment-there is probably a reasonable excuse for this slip up.

 

[spiceycat]

Osecola is harder to find things in - you must have the deed information
http://osceolarecorder.governmax.co...bookpage&sid=857DA70E1BE04C36A91D561DCAF271E3

now orange county is great
http://www.occompt.com/

but I really think that part of Kissimmee is in Osecola not Orange.

 

[mbb]

Thanks Jann and Spicy

I would contact them..and just verify everything. If you haven't signed a rental agreement, I would follow that up as well

HTH!

 

[ShariVT]

Ok so I have a similar problem. I have rented a house at EI last year and this year we are going back to the same house rented from the owner. 2 days ago we get a letter from his managment company that he sold the house and they are moving us. The many problem is it is not the same floor plan and it is a smaller house. And they waited until we were inside our 60 day make to let us know but the letter is dated over a week ago. I thought the new owner would have to honor new reservations but they are not. Just one more question to ask when renting.

 

[JANNYANS]

ShariVT
I would think you are within your rights to ask for a full refund as the accommodation being offered is not what you booked .You then can look around for a similar home on the development if you want to.
If you are happy wth the new offer is there a difference between what you paid for the original home and the one you will get and if yes wil you get it back.

Personally I think it is very bad of the owner you booked with -and it sounds as if you rented direct- not to have had the courtesy to nform you himself he was selling and given you the opportunity to cancel earlier .

 

[isla bonita]

ShariVT
I agree with Jan it sounds like a switch that is not any where comparable. You originally paid for a larger home and that is what you should get.

I would ask the man/co for the type of home you booked and if not for a full refund because of the situation.

It appears that the letter was sent at a good time for the man/co to think they can keep there % but to me I would ask for a full return. I can not believe owners treating people like such and man/co's. It is bad for business and reputations.

 

[minnie29uk]

Ok so I have a similar problem. I have rented a house at EI last year and this year we are going back to the same house rented from the owner. 2 days ago we get a letter from his managment company that he sold the house and they are moving us. The many problem is it is not the same floor plan and it is a smaller house. And they waited until we were inside our 60 day make to let us know but the letter is dated over a week ago. I thought the new owner would have to honor new reservations but they are not. Just one more question to ask when renting.

You are 100% in your right to cancel the booking if you made it direct with the owner and completed an owners booking form.Thus the contract i between you and the owner.
If you did make the booking through the MC website,you need to contact them again as they are not offering what you first booked.
Once you get your full refund,there are plenty of lovely homes to choose from that will fulfill your criterion...infact,is the new owner of the home you chosen not looking to rent it out then?

Cheers,
Lynn

 

[mbb]

Ok so I have a similar problem. I have rented a house at EI last year and this year we are going back to the same house rented from the owner. 2 days ago we get a letter from his managment company that he sold the house and they are moving us. The many problem is it is not the same floor plan and it is a smaller house. And they waited until we were inside our 60 day make to let us know but the letter is dated over a week ago. I thought the new owner would have to honor new reservations but they are not. Just one more question to ask when renting.

ITA with Jann, isla bonita and Minnie

That really is unacceptable of the MgmtCo. Have you spoken with anyone at the company yet?

Keep us posted! We're all happy to help how we can!

 

[Brian Noble]

RE the OP's post: many Windsor Hills owners are using only windsorhillsrent now; see if the property appears there.