Vacation Rental: How to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises ?
Vacation Rental: How to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises?
In France, vacation rentals may take various forms: holiday villages and other campgrounds, farms, furnished accommodations, villas, and even individual rentals increase the attractiveness of the options accessible to visitors. However, it is better to take a few measures ahead of time to ensure that the comfort and situation on site match your expectations: a disappointment may rapidly detract from the enjoyment of your holiday! Let’s have a look at how to prevent unpleasant shocks in four simple steps.
# 1 Make sure the rental does exist
It’s outrageously dishonest, yet some individuals rent space that doesn’t exist. This is without a doubt the worst surprise for vacationers, who will either need to find emergency lodging or return home.
It is very simple to check the existence of the leased property to avoid this kind of disaster. You should be able to discover a variety of views on the internet, for example, that will help you verify your rental choice – or not! If you can’t locate one, it might be a new property that is just getting started, or a person who has just chosen to rent it out. You may, however, contact the local tourist information center, which should be the initial point of contact for the rental owner.
If you are renting via a certain website, the lodging may be mentioned elsewhere and traces of it may be found. Renting branded accommodation, such as Gites de France or City Break, is ideal. You may then relax knowing that it has been thoroughly examined and even graded!
Finally, utilizing Google Maps, street view, and satellite view to confirm the presence of houses will be comforting. You may use this chance to double-check the veracity of the rental owner’s statements about the vicinity of different services and points of interest.
# 2 Get as much information as possible
Take the time to learn all there is to know within and outside your property to make your ideal trip exactly as you imagined it! It is preferable to plan ahead of time rather than wasting your vacation trying to fix an issue.
Check to see whether you have all of the necessary equipment. Each rental has its own unique equipment, from the electric kettle to the ironing board, as well as the grill or recreational amenities, which should be found ahead of time. As a result, you will be able to meet your own needs.
When it comes to the pricing, make sure you’re informed of any extra charges associated with the rental. Of course, there’s the tourist tax, but there’s also the cost of cleaning, sheet rental if it’s not included in the total fee, and any other services that may be charged.
# 3 Demand writing
Whether or not it qualifies as a contract (since the form of a contract is not a legal requirement), we highly encourage you to insist on a written agreement outlining all of the specifics of the rental, as well as the name, contact information, and scope of the lessor’s commitment.
The written record must at the very least specify the stay, in a non-exhaustive manner:
• the rental period, including arrival and departure dates;
• the arrival and departure times, which may otherwise be disputed;
• the agreed price, which is often “all inclusive,” save for the tourist tax;
• payment conditions and confirmation of payment of all or part of the money in advance
In terms of the leased property:
• the exact number of rooms, bedrooms, and surface area;
• the specific description of the equipment present;
• if required, the faulty state of particular devices or damage to the accommodation;
• auxiliary services included in the price (cleaning, provision of consumables, etc.)
If the rental involves particular services or equipment, the documented evidence of the rental must indicate their existence, as well as their scope and uses. A jacuzzi, for example, must be in functioning condition and maintained, and the description must explain the terms of usage, such as how many people it is intended for, if it is really private, and if so, what are the hours and means of access, among other things. This entails protecting both the rental business and the vacationer in the case of a dispute.
# 4 Pay attention to the payment method
It seems that some clarity is required about the rental payment, which is often the topic of litigation, particularly in the case of cancellation. When making a reservation, it’s common to pay a deposit that may or may not be refunded.
In most cases, a date is specified beyond which the money paid is no longer recoverable. A difference should be made between down payments and down payments if this is not the entire rental payment. The deposit may be seen as a choice, since it does not obligate the customer to purchase. The deposit, on the other hand, is the initial installment of the service’s fee.
Anyone who has made a deposit has the right to withdraw it at any time. According to Article 1590 of the Civil Code, whomever paid them loses them, while whoever received them (the lessor of the property) reclaims them by paying a double sum. If it’s a deposit, the commitment is considered hard and final, and each party has the right to demand contract fulfillment. In the case of force majeure, the departing tenant may still be excused from paying the entire amount due.
Please keep in mind that arriving to the accommodation beyond the time specified in the contract does not entitle you to a date extension. Also, if you leave early, you will not be eligible for a partial refund.
A good vacation requires meticulous planning. The perfect formula includes accommodations that match expectations, costs that are predictable, and the confidence that you will have everything you need on location. Take the standard precautions and enjoy your trip!