Apartment rental in Paris - I'm scared!!
 

I'm looking into an apartment rental in Paris for this September, and frankly, this whole thing scares me a bit. I'm worried about fraud... anyway, this is the one I'm looking at, and I think it's a bit weird that the renter is in Argentina, and there's no feedback. What do you all think?

http://www.vrbo.com/98626">http://ww...vrbo.com/98626

...and if you do like it, don't take it for this September

I have rented many times & have always gone with one I could find reviews on. That makes me feel better about dealing with the rental agency or owner.

All that is why I prefer hotels. I like the convenience of being able to email them, pay in a normal way, count on the front desk staff for assistance, etc.

Slow Travel (slowtrav.com) has hundreds of reviews of apartments by people who stayed in them.

I rented an apartment before it was reviewed by others and it turned out great. However the deposit was very small, so I felt I could take a chance. On the other hand I rented another one with some great reviews and a hefty deposit, not to mention wire transfer fees, that turned out to be not so great. But either way I did have a place to stay, a washer and dryer, and a great vacation. You just never know, however I still prefer apartments over hotels. I would email and find out about the deposit and ask if they can send you an email of someone who has stayed there. If the deposit is too much or has to be wired, I'd find another.

Someone always has to be the first one to post a review. Looking at the picture, it is very small, but so is the price. How many are staying here? If it fits your budget and location, and the owner has answered all of your questions, then I would probably rent it. I usually try to calculate how much it would hurt my budget if I hated and went someplace else.

As Dave said, Slow travel has some good reviews, and you can search on this website for some of the places that Fodorites have stayed in.

We've taken a leap of faith a number of times in a number of different places and rented apartments/houses that we couldn't find any reviews on. so far we haven't had any problems. We've also let our gut guide us as to how comfortable we feel with the people we are dealing with, and one time backed out before signing anything because we just felt bad vibes from the owner.

I truly think that when you go the house or apartmental route you need to look at the whole process as a situation where trust is needed by both parties. After all, the owner may be feeling apprehensive about you too or about the fact that his/her property may be damaged or you might not show and the rental income won't come through.

That said, perhaps you need to rethink the idea of an apartment rental for you. Maybe you are the type of people who are better off with a hotel.

May I just point out this apt. is going to be very loud. It overlooks a very active street. You'll need ear plugs to sleep.
That said, I love apts. over hotels. But as others have said, if something strikes you as odd, don't do it. The last place I rented in Paris the woman was in the UK and had a guy in the city to manage the day to day. It was just wonderful!

If you are worried about honesty, try this guy at parisbestlodge.com. Theirry is very honest and a great person. See if he has anything you like at his websight.

I've rented many times and never managed to rent a place for which I'd found a review. If you're concerned though, you should keep looking as there are many, many apartments.

What is it about Argentina that puts you off? I live in the USA and rent a home in France. Is it just that the landlord is way long distance? Is there some onsite property manager, as there should be if the owner is that far away?

Anyway, as someone else said, it's far from an ideal property because of the potential noise facator. I'd browse the slowTrav site.

We rented an apartment less that a block away. It was quite large, but the living room faced Saint Germain. You could not hear yourself think in the living room with the windows open. The traffic is very loud (we were on the fourth floor with an elevator). Fortunately our bedroom was in the back of the apartment, facing a courtyard, and very quiet at night.
Are there two of you? Are you comfortable with one climbing over the other to get in and out of bed, since it is against a wall? And with climbing three flights of stairs? It is quite small and starkly furnished. But the area itself is wonderful, and the price is good.

Thanks for all the replies. There are just two of us, and we are both 32 so the stairs aren't a problem. I sent an email to the owner. Here are her terms, please let me know your thoughts, and if this sounds normal:

RENTAL TERMS
1) Reservation deposit:

50% of the rent is payable on booking. A reservation is only effective and confirmed when this payment has been received, along with the signed rental agreement.

2) Balance of payment:

The balance of rent must be paid at least 4 weeks before the start of the rental period. If the balance is not received by the due date, we may cancel the booking without issuing a cancellation charge and retain the reservation deposit. For bookings made within 4 weeks of the rental period, the full cost of the rental is due at the time of reservation.

3) Refundable security deposit:

A refundable security deposit of 500 euros is due on arrival, to cover any damages and/or deterioration caused by the Client. The deposit is refundable on check-out after inventory check. The Client shall advise us of any damages before departure. Missing items will be deducted from the security deposit.

4) Payment methods:

Payments are to be made by Western Union or credit card via Paypal.

NB: Bank charges, such as wire transfer fee or currency exchange fees are payable by the client (Paypal fees 3,9%).

5) Utility charges:

There is no extra charge for electricity and telephone for stays of less than a month. (For stays of a month or over, electricity, gas and telephone will be charged according to actual consumption.)

6) Cancellation:

In case of cancellation of a confirmed booking with 4 weeks or more prior warning, 50% of the booking deposit is reimbursed. The cancellation of a confirmed booking within 4 weeks of the rental period entails the forfeiting of all payments made unless finding a replacement tenant. If the Client abandons the property, he loses all rights to any eventual refund or rebate. As a precautionary measure, we recommend that the Client purchase a trip cancellation insurance policy to cover the booking. Though this is unlikely to happen, we may have to cancel the reservation for reasons beyond our control. In this case, all monies paid will be reimbursed.

I've been going through this process for the first time as well and have been uncomfortable with these types of terms (although I do understand many people are and it's worked for them). You might want to check out other agencies, such as www.vacationinparis.com where you pay by credit card and they have a rep in the US that you deal with for the arrangements (and there's no security deposit).

Sounds like a very standard contract to me.

I'd check how the security deposit is to be paid. On arrival as a check even in US dollars is not unusual and certainly the easiest way. They usually just hand me back the check on departure. If you have to go through an actual payment in euro or via paypal then you're paying some more fees.

My theory is this: If you have any apprehensions about something you are going to pay big-bucks for then don't do it. If it makes you uncomfortable go for an alternative solution. In this case either another apartment company or a hotel.

That sounds good in theory, lori. But if I backed out of everything I've had apprehensions about, I wouldn't have done half of what I've done, including buying a house or any car I've ever owned. There are justified and unjustified apprehensions. If the apprehension here is simply that there is no feedback and the owner lives in Argentina, I'd say "get over it". You're getting feedback from others here and apparently none of the issues bother you, so I'd say there's no reason not to do it.

500 euro is a standard damage deposit?

(I'm not doubting, truly just asking the question. That alone would be a deal-breaker on apt. rental for me, is why I'm wondering.)

Hi gypsy
Have you read the thread on "Some thoughts on my experiences on renting an apartment in Paris"? (Click on my screenname and it is #11 or #12 on my posts). There are some excellent recommended apartments there.
I note VRBO was sold to a Texas company (HomeAway) last November. This link gives a phone number of the parent company.
http://tinyurl.com/2pzfok
If you are really in love with this apartment, call them and ask how you verify that one of their ads is legit. If VRBO is really a good company they will follow through this with you. Get names all the way along as this commits them to being helpful as they are no longer anonymous.

suze, I've done a $500 security deposit more than once. And in the states have sometimes done $1000. If I get it all back, particularly in the form of a check that was written but never cashed, I never consider it an issue. Often I feel that a higher security deposit indicates a higher level of furnishings and accessories, but frankly I think the apartment in question could probably be totally refurnished for that amount.