My family is looking to take a vacation to Sydney later this year. We're looking at renting an apartment through VRBO.. but my sister is very skeptical about whether or not the place is legit and/or how safe an international bank transfer will be. We've had good experience renting with VRBO before, but never internationally..
Anyone rented a place in Australia through VRBO?
Anyone rented internationally through VRBO?

Leigha (in the US)

I'm afraid I haven't Leigha.

I've rented many properties in Australia, NZ and Switzerland through various websites though...stayz.com.au, HomeAway, etc. In each instance my bookings were referred to the propery owner and then I dealt directly with them. I often pay via bank transfer; once I had to transfer from Australia to a bank in England for a property in Swizerland, which was a bit of a pain, (especially as we're American expats on the US payroll, so had to pay converson fees twice!), but it turned out to be a fabulous property and well worth the effort.

I've had very good luck dealing with privately owned accommodation, but it can be a leap of faith.

Is there a way you can contact the owner directly via VRBO, or do the owners hide behind the website?

I assume you've read all the reviews on the property you're interested in? If you haven't done so already, I suggest you scour the internet for reviews on sites OTHER than VRBO, just to be thorough and perhaps set your mind a ease.

Good luck!

You can always post the proposed apartment here for us to check out before you decide as well Leigha, if you like.

I've booked a few apartments on the web and like Mel said it is a leap of faith. I've never had any troubles whatsoever but I too, have always dealt direct with the owners. I know that a lot of people use VRBO for Paris apartment rentals I'm sure. Maybe you could check out their VRBO experiences on the European board - it might be worth the question there as well perhaps?

We have rented an apartment in Venice (Italy) from a person who lists on VRBO. She seemed honest from the advertisement and emails, and has proved to be an exceptionally fine person to deal with. We paid up front, by mailing a bank cheque in USD to the owner, who is in San Francisco.
Remember that VRBO is just an advertising place – it’s the references from previous clients, and the contacts that you have with the owner that count.

I used VRBO in London once (we are in Sydney) and the owner directed us to an apartment-renting service that he uses to manage the property. I had no problems, and although it was (to us) an expensive apartment, it was in a fabulous location, everything the website promised us.

Lavandula

We've rented twice through VRBO - once in London and once in France (we were living in the UK). There were no problems with the France property but with the London flat we were told a few weeks before arrival that the flat had problems and they offered us another flat which we had issues with. It was sorted out in the end.

Last year I tried to book a villa in Florida through VRBO - while in the UK - and gave up in the end as the payment methods required for the deposit were not available in the UK and payment methods we offered were not acceptable. It was very annoying as I spent hours doing research to come up empty handed. I booked a great hotel and paid with credit card so it ended fine.

I would use VRBO again but do as Stormbird suggests and post the details on here so someone can give you more info. I would ask for a precise street address and check it on streetview on Googlemaps.

Kay

Thanks for all your advice.
Here's the street address of the place:
Unit 5/ 266 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, N.S.W. Australia

Hello leigha

Have you checked on Google Maps? The building looks to be a renovated older-style, with no balcony to the units on the street front.

Campbell Parade is a fairly busy street from my memory, but you would certainly be in an excellent location for getting to the beach, transport, restaurants, cafes etc.

I've rented through VRBO twice - both times in France. With the first we dealt directly with the owner, the second through an agency. Both were hassle free and worked very smoothly.

Can't give advice on this particular listing though, sorry! Di

Looks like an older style building - right across the road from North Bondi Surf Club, and right next door to one of my absolute favourite restaurants, Sean's Panaroma. It's nor far from North Bondi Italian and Icebergs.

Plenty of good eating around there.

Anywhere on Campbell Pde is a good location as far as access to beach and shops in concerned. I would take the gamble, it sounds like a good bet.

Lavandula