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HolidayRentals-Abroad.com have put together some useful tips for you when booking your holiday home
How do I book a vacation rental?
To
book your vacation rental you need to contact the owner directly. Check
the availability of the rental through the availability calendar (if
the owner has one) if there is no calendar, you will need to contact
the owner for availability for your desired dates.
What is a Holiday Rental?
A vacation rental is a
holiday home used by different people week by week. It can be a
privately owned villa, apartment or log cabin that includes a kitchen
and all of the amenities you would expect to find at home. The kitchen
should be fully fitted with everything you need to cook and serve a
meal.
What is a vacation rental owner?
The owners of vacation
rentals advertise their properties on HolidayRentals-Abroad.com, are
typically a private citizen that owns a second property and instead of
the property being empty, they rent it out. Most of the rental terms
are for a short period but you may find some owners willing to rent
long term.
How do I cancel or change my reservation?
HolidayRentals-Abroad.com
is unable to help you with reservations booked directly with owners.
Please contact the owner directly, as we make any profit from your
bookings in anyway.
What if there is a problem with my vacation rental?
You will need to work
out any issues you have with the owner directly. We suggest you contact
the owner as soon as a problem arises if possible during your stay.
Don’t wait till you return home. Make sure to have a phone number
to contact the owner in case you have a problem or emergency while you
are there.
Tips for Booking Directly with the Rental Owner
When you are looking for
a vacation rental, consider booking direct with the property owner.
There are a number of advantages when booking direct and some
disadvantages that can be avoided by following our list of tips. The
advantages include being able to speak directly with the owner, who
knows the property intimately and therefore able to accurately answer
any of your questions. Often owner rent directly for less than the
professionally managed rental property. And booking direct also gives
you an opportunity to negotiate some better deals. The disadvantage of
booking direct is that there are no standards to guarantee the quality
of the vacation rental or the professionalism of the owner. Here is a
list of tips to follow when booking your rental property, especially
when it is direct through an owner.
Get it in writing
A renter’s
agreement is best, but a confirmation that states all the details of
the reservation is acceptable. Included on your confirmation should be
the following.
Your Name and Address
Dates of Travel- (Including Number of Nights)
Total Cost of the Rental
Security Deposit (if any)
Additional Fees (Pool Heat, Firewood, Cleaning Fee)
List of Policies including Cancellation, Terms of Payment and House Rules
Address to Property
Phone to Property
Owner Address and Phone Number
Contact for Maintenance Emergency- Names and Phone Numbers
Driving Directions to the Property
Clear Instruction on Obtaining Keys
Is the Home Professionally Cleaned?
If the rental is not
professionally cleaned, there is a chance that it won’t meet your
standards. Especially, if it is up to the guests to clean the property
before they vacate. If you have a choice of cleaning the home or paying
for a professional service, consider if you really want the hassle of
cleaning the property on the day you finish your vacation, is cleaning
the last memory you want of your dream holiday.
Typically,
vacation rentals that use a professional cleaning service, may ask you
to remove the linen from the beds but that’s about it, each
holiday home will be different so it would be a good idea to check what
is expected from you on the day you leave.
Is the Kitchen Fully Equipped?
Make sure that the
kitchen is fully equipped for you to be able to cater for everyone in
your party, check what appliances are fitted, pots and pans and how
many place settings there is.
Clarify the Bedding Configuration
Confirm with the owner
how the rental is laid out, so you know exactly where everyone will
sleep. Ask about the age and comfort of sofa beds. Make sure there is
extra bedding if needed and you aren’t expecting adults to sleep
in child size beds.
Stairs and Floor Plan
If anyone in your group
has trouble with stairs, be sure to clarify how many stairs there are
into the property. Understand where the bedrooms are in relation to
bathrooms and the main floor, this will help you plan your holiday
before you even get there.
Clarify Location
If you’re looking
for a property within walking distance to attractions, clarify with the
owner that there are no major roads or hills on the walk. If you want
to be able to drive to a nearby attraction, be sure to ask about
driving times to and from this attraction during peak traffic hours.
Clarify Views
There may be a gorgeous
view of the ocean or lake from this property. But how old is this
photo? Have the trees grown enough to block this view? Where was the
photo taken? Was it from the deck? Confirm with the owner that the
pictures advertised are a true representation of the views you should
have on your holiday.
Clarify Parking Restrictions
Always find out how many
cars can park at the property. And if there is a garage at the property
that you expect to use, be sure it’s available for you to use.
For mountain trips, clarify snow removal restrictions and if you need 4
wheel drive.
Is Linen Included?
Most professionally run
vacation rentals will offer enough linen for your entire party. Some
may charge an extra linen fee. Check to see if the property includes
linens.
info@HolidayRentals-Abroad.com.
We
are only an advertising tool for property owners and have to except
what we are told but if we find out otherwise we will investigate and
if the claims of the property owner is found to be untrue we will
remove the property from this page.
Below are some useful links to help
with finding and getting to you next holiday home.
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