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What is a vacation rental?
A vacation rental is a property such as a house or condo that is rented out
by the owner to people on vacation. Renters frequently save money
compared to the costs of a staying at a hotel, and may have the added benefits
of amenities not offered by hotels such as a kitchen, garage, private pool,
etc.
Do I need to register to view property listings?
No. Renters can view any of the vacation rental properties just by
clicking on a location. The property listing will give contact
information. You can then contact the owner directly by email or
telephone.
How do I rent a vacation rental I have found?
Every property listing displays the owner's contact information. You can
contact the owner directly by email or telephone. All bookings are
handled between the renter and the property owner. Visual Vacation
Rentals does not handle bookings since we are only an online advertiser
for the vacation rental properties.
How do I know if I will like the vacation rental?
We encourage the renter to communicate with the property owner regarding their
expectations of the vacation rental property. Many owners will
provide references of people who have used their vacation rental property in
the past. We also suggest that the renter obtain all of the
rental terms and conditions in writing, including the arrival and departure
dates, number of guests, deposit policy, payment schedules, refund policy,
cancellation policy, and detailed instructions.
What are the common policies regarding deposits,
payments, cancellations, and refunds?
Keep in mind that every owner determines their own policies for their vacation
rental property. These should all be spelled out in the written rental
agreement between you and the owner of the vacation rental property. In
general though, most require a booking deposit of 10% - 50% to
confirm the reservation and full payment 8 weeks prior to arrival.
You can also expect to pay a refundable security deposit to cover possible
damages. The written rental agreement should also clearly state the
cancellation policy. Cancellations due to weather conditions are not
usually allowed unless specified in the written rental agreement.
How do I checkout?
Instructions for checkout should be provided to you. Owners have
different policies regarding how clean you will need to leave the property upon
checkout. The owner or their local agent will check you out of the
property, check for any damages, and if none refund your security deposit.
What are some tips for renting a vacation rental
property?
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Plan Ahead
- Plan your vacation and make your reservations well in advance. Many
vacation rental properties are booked 6 months to a year in advance, especially
around the holidays. If you wait too long, your property selections
will be limited and the prices will be higher.
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Ask For References
- Many owners will provide references of people who have stayed at their
property in the past.
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Written Rental Agreement
- Make sure that you have a written rental agreement before you send any
payments. The written rental agreement should include the
arrival and departure dates, number of guests, deposit policy, payment
schedules, refund policy, cancellation policy, and detailed instructions.
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Make Payment and Deposits On Time
- Make sure you pay your deposits and payments on time. Missed deadlines
for deposits or payments can cause the forfeiture of deposits and the
cancellation of your reservation.
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Get Complete Instructions In Advance - Make sure arrangements
have been made to get the keys for the rental. Also make sure you have
the phone number of the owner or their local agent so you have someone to
contact in the event of unforeseen problems.
How can we contact you?
If you have additional questions or would like to make a suggestion please go
to the Contact Us page.
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