By Connie Whiting
Vacation Rental Home Tips
Family
vacations are supposed to be fun, but sometimes staying in a hotel is not the best option for families with children. A hotel doesn't always offer child-friendly amenities plus even with family rates an extended vacation stay can be quite expensive. Vacation rental homes are designed for extended stay trips and for those that enjoy visiting a destination routinely each year. Furthermore, they provide complete privacy and a "more like home" living arrangement while vacationing.
Details
Many rental vacation home advertisements will say that everything is included. Be aware that the owner's opinion and the renter's opinion of what "everything" means can be very different. For example, "cable included" might mean basic cable to the owner, while the renter might expect full cable. Another example is that an owner may advertise more than one bathroom in the home and a full kitchen. In reality, it might be a full bathroom and a half bath and the complete kitchen might have a refrigerator and stove but no microwave or dishwasher. It is always best to ask for details on the descriptions.
Pets
Even if a vacation home ad says pets are permitted there may be restrictions on their size or restrictions on the kind of pets. A dog might be allowed but not a cat; a small dog may be fine but a large breed dog not. Confirming the pet policy prevents renters from showing up and find discovering their pets aren't welcome.
Pictures
Rental Homes
Don't assume that the house in the beautiful brochure picture is the actual house you will be renting. Some owners of vacation homes have several similar homes, and will show a picture of only one in an advertisement. The home you rent may turn out to be different from what you expect, or it may be much older than when the picture was taken.
Phone Numbers
Always get phone numbers when renting the chosen vacation home. Get emergency numbers, the owner's regular number and numbers of any preferred repairmen in case something breaks down. In addition, get numbers of local hospitals in case of health emergencies. You also should get numbers of local shops, grocery stores, delivery services and tourist offices.
Housekeeping
Ask if housekeeping is provided. Occasionally, owners arrange for housekeepers to visit rental homes once a week with fresh bed linens and towels and to do basic cleaning.
Paperwork
Never send money to the owner of vacation rental properties until you read the paperwork. Do not sign a lease or agreement until reading the complete lease. Ask about anything not understood or agreed with. Always get receipts for any expenditures and payments. If the stay is a long one, consider keeping a house rental journal and write down anything that breaks or needs fixing or any monies spent.
Resources
About the Author:
Connie Whiting has been a professional writer since 1999. She is published in Red Rock Press Anthologies and "Legacy" magazine. She is also an experienced food column writer. Past positions include certified dental assistant and virtual assistant for “Your Invisible Assistant” a service focused on travel arrangements and media writing. Currently, Connie writes for Demand Studios while pursuing an Associate of Arts.
Photo Credits:
http://www.flickr.com
