dutyfree

My (US) family are going to Cyprus over the Christmas holidays. I have just made the reservation to a place on Holiday Lettings out of the UK. The owner has requested a 220 pound deposit to hold our reservation made to either a UK bank account or one in Cyprus with the remainder of our fee paid at 10 weeks before our rental. We can also use PayPal with our credit card but was told by the owner that there will be an additional 80 pounds added onto that fee for processing?
My adult kids have said that they think that paying the entire sum 10 weeks before is ridiculous on my part and they are skeptical. The man who owns the house has been with Holiday Lettings for over 5 years and has gotten glowing reports on both Tripadvisor and the Holiday site.
My question is: is this the way most online renting deals work? Would you just put the British Pounds in the UK bank or pay with the Visa card on PayPal? Is paying the entire amount 10 weeks out the usual for holiday weeks?
Thanks for any help or thoughts on this as I am a newbie on rentals!

janisj

"<i>My question is: is this the way most online renting deals work? Would you just put the British Pounds in the UK bank or pay with the Visa card on PayPal? Is paying the entire amount 10 weeks out the usual for holiday weeks?</i>"

Totally normal. Especially for Holiday periods. Most owners require a substantial deposit and the balance anywhere from 4 weeks to 3 months before arrival.

Now, <i>some</i> only ask for the balance on arrival -- but that is less common. And those places usually ask for larger deposits.

Would your kids have the owner just go on blind faith that you'll show up?

Paypal or a bank transfer -- either would work, but a credit card does give you a bit of protection

dutyfree

Thanks Janisj. Will have my daughter put the pounds in his UK bank account tomorrow for the deposit. I thought that it was fine because I know how people make reservations(being an airline employee) and then don't follow through on their trips so appreciate your imput!

Odin

My experience has varied: in Hawaii no deposit for condo but pay cash on arrival so that was on blind faith by the owner. In Bermuda this year it was 15% deposit by paypal and cash on arrival for the balance and in Cape Town & Cyprus (both booked via holiday lettings UK), deposit to hold the accommodation and full balance before arrival (but would not have been 10 weeks as we rarely book anything that far in advance).

djkbooks

Everything turns on whether you find the terms and conditions worth your while...or not, along with to what extent you can determine the owner/agency to be reliable...

Carlux

I had someone question this when I was still renting, and had to point out the facts of life to her. She felt she should come and check out the house before paying (despite the fact that she was coming because friends who had stayed there had recommended it) There are in fact two issues here. One, that I as the owner/manager need some assurance that people are coming, as I have probably turned away other possible renters. And two is that if you decide you don't like it, you're stuck with nowhere to stay in the middle of holiday season. And not likely to find somewhere on a Saturday evening.

So do your due diligence, check with former renters, whatever, but almost everyone wants payment ahead of time.

Guenmai

The apartment that I rent in Paris, I totally pay for in advance. I simply write a check to the owner and mail it to her. She lives here in the U.S. though. Then when she gets the check, she mails me out the apartment keys. That's not the only apartment that I have had in Paris, but they were always prepaid before arrival and the keys mailed out to me before I left home, although most rental situations don't provide keys in advance. I just seek out ones that do.

Happy Travels!

dutyfree

Thanks everyone! This place is amazing-4 bedroom villa on the ocean with views to die for!

Christina

It is the norm with vacation apartment rentals, nobody could stay in business if they let people decide whether to stay or not once they got there, and they had hardly any money at risk in that decision.

Your adult children are thinking of this like a hotel, which it isn't.

dutyfree

They weren't thinking of it as a hotel but have traveled and lived in various places around the world that they were afraid that "old mom" had fallen for a scam. Most of the places they have rented you paid the entire amount upon arrival.
That is why I love this board as you all always offer such great responses to any type of question that one feels confident in their choices!

Odin

dutyfree-which location did you end up in finally? There are some amazing properties there for sure.

dutyfree

We are staying just outside of Paphos on the western coast in a place called Blue Coral villas. There are three villas on their own beach and the place reminds me of the views in Martha's vineyard.
Check it out www.bluecoralvillas.com

It got good reviews and it seems perfect for us as a family for the holidays!

dutyfree

Sorry its www.bluecoralbeachvillas.com

Odin

Beautiful!

dutyfree

Thanks Odin! Picturing our family enjoying wine and playing Bananagrams overlooking the sea?