Holiday rentals: how to avoid unpleasant surprises?

Holiday rentals can take many forms in France: holiday villages and other campsites, rural gites, furnished lets, villas or even private rentals expand the attractive options available to tourists. However, it is advisable to take a few precautions in advance to ensure that the comfort and location meet expectations: a disappointment could quickly ruin the joy of your holidays! Let’s see how to avoid unpleasant surprises in 4 steps.

Ensure the rental actually exists

It is incredibly dishonest, but it does happen that some people rent a property that simply does not exist. This is probably the worst surprise for the holidaymaker, who must then urgently find accommodation solutions or risk having to return home.

To prevent such mishaps, it is quite straightforward to verify that the rented property exists. On the web, for example, you should be able to find various reviews, which will also help you validate your rental decision – or otherwise! If you cannot find any, it may be a new property just launching its activity, or a private owner who has recently decided to list it for rent. Nevertheless, you can call the local tourist office, which is certainly the first point of contact that the owner would inform.

If you are renting through a particular website, perhaps the property is also listed elsewhere and you may find traces of it. Ideally, rent a labelled property, such as Gites de France or City Break for example. You then have the assurance that it has been inspected and even rated!

Finally, checking the property’s existence on Google Maps, Street View and via satellite imagery will be reassuring. You can also use this to verify the accuracy of the owner’s claims regarding the proximity of various services and places of interest.

Obtain as much information as possible

To ensure your dream holidays are exactly as you imagined them, take the time to find out everything there is to know about your rental, both inside and outside! It is better to think about this in advance than to spend your holiday solving problems.

In particular, check that all the equipment you need is present. From the electric kettle to the ironing table, via the barbecue or leisure facilities, each rental has its own specific equipment that should be discovered in advance. You can then bring along anything else you may need.

Regarding the price, make sure you are aware of all additional costs associated with the rental. The tourist tax, of course, but also cleaning fees, bed linen rental if not included in the overall price, or any other payable ancillary services.

Insist on written confirmation

Whether it is termed a contract or not (as the form of a contract is not a legal requirement), we strongly advise you to demand written confirmation detailing precisely all the ins and outs of the rental, as well as the identity, contact details and scope of the owner’s commitment.

The written record should, at minimum, specify the following regarding the stay:

• the rental duration, with arrival and departure dates;
• arrival and departure times, which could otherwise become a matter of dispute;
• the agreed price, ‘all-inclusive’ except sometimes for tourist tax;
• the payment terms and confirmation of payment of all or part of the amount in advance;

And regarding the rented property:

• the exact number of rooms, bedrooms and floor area;
• a detailed description of the equipment present;
• where applicable, the defective condition of certain appliances or damage in the property;
• any ancillary services included in the price (cleaning, supply of consumables, etc.);
• the exact geographical location.

If the rental includes specific services or equipment, the written proof of the rental must mention their presence, as well as their scope and options for use. For example, a hot tub must be in working condition, maintained and the description must specify the terms of use: how many people it is for, whether it is truly private, and if so, what are the access times and terms, etc. This is to cover both the owner and the holidaymaker and prevent any disagreement.

Beware of the payment method

Some clarification seems necessary regarding the payment of the rental, which is often a matter of dispute, particularly in case of cancellation. It frequently happens that a sum is paid at the time of booking, which may be recoverable or not.

As a general rule, an explicit deadline is set, beyond which the amount paid is no longer recoverable. If this is not the full payment of the rental, it is important to distinguish between deposits and advance payments. Deposits can be considered an option and do not obligate the consumer to proceed. An advance payment, however, is the first instalment of the price requested for the service.

In the case of deposits, either party can withdraw freely. Article 1590 of the Civil Code sets the rule: the person who paid the deposit loses it, the person who received it (the property owner) is released by returning double the amount. If it is an advance payment, the commitment is considered firm and definitive, and each party is entitled to demand performance of the contract. A tenant who withdraws may nonetheless be exempt from paying the full price in cases of force majeure.

Note that arriving at the property later than stated in the contract does not in any way entitle you to an extension of the end date. Similarly, an early departure will not allow you to claim a partial refund.

Successful holidays require careful preparation. A property that meets expectations, expenses without surprises and the assurance of having everything you need on site constitute the ideal formula. Follow the usual precautions and have a pleasant holiday!