You have just decided you want to take a vacation. What an exciting time to start planning where you are going and what you will be doing. The most important thing about planning a vacation is where you will be staying. Here are some tips for renting a vacation home.
Start Your Search Early
For any vacation, you should plan ahead. Once you know you are traveling and will be needing a place to stay, start looking up vacation homes for rent. You don’t want to wait until the last minute and be stuck with a rental that doesn’t match your wants or needs.
Consult Multiple Sources
When picking your vacation house you will want to read through reviews and talk to people who have stayed in the place or area you are considering. This will get you opinions of multiple people so you know what to expect when you stay in the rental. You can learn about the place itself and the person renting it out.
Read the Whole Contract
After finding the perfect vacation home, you may blow right through the contract so you can start having fun. The contract shows what you are liable for and should not be overlooked. You want to know your payment schedule and what you could be held liable for. Understand who pays for the utility bills, internet, phone service, cable, housekeeping, etc. The contract will also list out the landlord’s policies on pets, subletting, and what is included. If the rental doesn’t have beach chairs or umbrellas, that would have to be an extra expense you need to consider. Before signing the contract, you should have a licensed attorney look over the agreement. This may seem expensive but in the end, could save you from legal trouble in the future.
Negotiate
The price you see online doesn’t mean that is the set price. Most rentals’ prices can be negotiated whether its the deposit or the rent. If the landlord is unwilling to lower the price, see if you can stay extra time at a lower price. This gives you an extended vacation for a cheaper price.
Ask Questions
All rentals are different and come with different features. Make sure when you meet with the landlord, you have a list of questions to ask. Ask about what is included other than what is stated in the contract, if they have housekeeping and what the schedule would be, who to call in case of emergency, and what condition the property must be in to receive the full refund on the deposit.
Documentation
When you arrive at your vacation before you run off to the beach, take pictures or videos of the condition the house is in. This will document any damages the house already had. Take more