In the past few weeks I have received emails from consumers asking me if a number of holiday rental companies are reputable enough to book a holiday through them. It’s worth remembering that the rental company is advertising the accommodation on behalf of the owner or an agency.

Whilst the holiday rental company will have their own terms and conditions with regard to the usage of the site, the booking terms and conditions is with the actual owner or agency. As I have experience of this type of holiday I thought it would be a good idea to provide some general advice.

Speak with the owner or agency

You can tell a lot about a person when you speak to them on the telephone, ask them plenty of questions about the holiday accommodation and the location and make sure you remember their responses, in fact write them down if you can.

Trust your gut instinct

If there’s something just not right about the person or what they are saying then always go with your gut instinct, the last thing you want is to find out that the accommodation doesn’t exist or that it’s a scam to get money out of you, not that I am suggesting this happens a lot, but I am sure it does.

Booking terms and conditions

Any reputable owner will send you a booking form and their booking terms and conditions. Usually you have to sign the form to say you agree to the T&Cs so make sure you read any documentation and if you have any queries contact the owner or agency. If there’s no documentation then question why this is the case with the owner.

Check the location thoroughly

Most owners and agencies will not send you the actual address until full payment has been received and processed, which you can understand, but make sure you check the destination out on travel guides and Google Maps and ask the owner questions about the area.

Read accommodation reviews

Whilst you won’t find many rental companies providing accommodation reviews, a few of them have started to provide this service, and whilst it’s controversial with the owners, it’s important that consumers have confidence. Holiday Rentals provide this service, so it’s a good place to start.

Pay for the holiday with a method of payment which is traceable

Under any circumstances do not pay with cash or cashier cheques – I know this sounds like common sense, but you’d be surprised to hear it does happen. Ideally, pay by a bank cheque, debit or credit card if the owner or agency provide that service. It’s important that the money can be traced back should anything happen.

Plan your holiday well

You do not have the luxury of a holiday rep to deal with any issues that you may come up against, so it’s important that you plan your holiday well. Make sure you keep a copy of all email communication, and if you have any issues with the accommodation then take video and photograph evidence.

Breakage issues

You will more than likely have to pay for any breakages, so it’s important that you notify the owner or agency should you find any breakages when you arrive at your accommodation. Otherwise you could be made to pay for them – remember that the accommodation will probably not have been visited by the owner for some time.

Use the Holiday rental company

If you have any complaints lodged which the owner will not respond to then contact the holiday rental company and ask them for advice. Any reputable rental company will have a complaints procedure which deals with badly managed holiday accommodation.

Popular holiday rental companies

Whilst I have not booked holiday accommodation off any of these sites, they are popular, and have been established a number of years. They seem to have a good reputation with travellers but follow the advice above before booking.

Holiday Rentals
Owners Direct
Holiday Lettings
Holiday Lets
My Villarenters

Hopefully these holiday rental tips will help ensure that your holiday is hassle free. Have you booked a villa or self catering holiday accommodation with an owner or agency – I’d be interested to hear good and bad experiences from readers.

• Holiday cancellation advice and tips
• Travel Rants Poll: Holiday Booking conditions
• Thoughts on the holiday rental market for consumers
• Hotel booking agents not responsible for Hotel mistakes
• Debate on booking through accommodation only sites

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