it is funny, if you read this forum and other forums over time people- become familiar good and bad-has nothing to do with stalking- a while back I posted a not so nice post re: apartment rentals and was lambasted- accused of "collecting" notes/grievances, lurking and stalking, when in reality I was just a casual observer who decided to post.. just because someone doesn't post or contribute continually does not mean we do not read and make opinions; we just happen to keep it to ourselves. If we happen to notice certain people who post routinely over the years and make assumptions like Happy did - does not mean we are stalking- - many of you post continually on this forum (and on other sites in the past) and your comments, writing style, and opinions are unique and easy to id... and are a lot more revealing than you probably think...

People make assumptions based on - what - "writing style"??? Please.
Stop reading those cheap detective novels and grow up.

The Internet is a haven for people who are bored, lonely, possibly psychotic and looking for attention. Anyone with access to more than one IP address can - and often will - hide behind multiple screen identities, and if he is at all creative about it and has enough time on his hands, will amuse himself by inventing a whole new personality. There are a lot of people out there who have not advanced beyond being 12 years old. You are only fooling yourself if you are certain that you recognize patterns and writing style.

On the other hand, changing avatars or screen names can mean nothing more than the fact that someone has changed internet providers, or has joined some new forums, as is the case with me. There are no rules about keeping one's screen name, and no reason to change it, unless it involves fewer keystrokes.

I'm technologically-challenged and not interested in the time it would take me to figure out how to change IP addresses, and not interested in purchasing another computer.

I can state unequivocally that Happy is stalking me, and harbors some deep-seated resentment over the vacation rental issue. Why she has seen fit to take this to a personal level is beyond my comprehension, but I suspect that jealousy and a deep-seated psychosis has a lot to do with it.

And I can also state unequivocally that - though I would never dream of threatening to drag out her personal information on a public travel forum - her "trusted sources of information" work in both directions, especially when they have had a drink or three, and I know a whole lot more about her and her pals than she thinks I do.

T-shirts are in the works.

Which reminds me that I have to change my screen name, I've used Whathello for 6 months.

Let us make it a little more difficult for stalkers.

I like Fuzz' last paragraph : it is my experience too that people who like to gather info or listen gleefully to gossip are themselves prone to being gossiped. It always works both ways.

A last thing - how does one happen to choose an avatar that means 'in virgins' ?

"when one knows where to look, personal histories are right there for the world to see. Seems your personal history isn't such a secret after all. Know what I mean???"

Anyone else feel a bit 'queasy'reading this?

Yes, that's how she meant it. But what's "there for the world to see" isn't always even close to the truth. It's often fiction and innuendo. And she knows that, too.

People might be surprised by how many of us here actually know each other in real life, know each others' stories and histories. Hang out together. Know what's fiction and what is fact.

Happy - after that "Hahahahahaha" business, it's clear you've lost whatever marbles you had left. I think it's time to report you, just like someone reported gracejoan's stalker.

In fact, I do know exactly who you are, and am reporting your rants to Fodor's as acts of internet harassment.

Time for you to get your jollies at someone else's expense.

I don't understand a lot of the debate, especially about personal issues.

I thought that the OP was very clear: there is a crackdown on vacation rentals, and people should be careful.

This seems to me to be the same as "the police are making more speed checks on the road." In such cases, people still have the option to speed if they want take the risk.

So people can still rent dubious apartment is they want to take the risk. But they should not complain if something goes wrong.

Whathello

Yes, a silly name and that's why I like it . . .it's actually my street here in Paris. Add that to my supposed histoire.

I enjoyed your ad mulierem/politically correct comment. Doesn't that depend on the sex of the attackee? How's one to know?

Rue des envierges - Belleville, n'est-ce pas?

Another apartment 'disappearing' from Airbnb.
Apparently a problem of plumbing. That takes 5 months to solve... very credible.

So it makes what 4 apartments reported disappearing in 2 weeks on one travel site. But no, there is no problem renting illegal apartments.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTo...de_France.html

Is it reasonable to assume that over the last two weeks there have been at least 100,000 short term apartment rentals in Paris??

The sky is falling!!

Hi
Ok, i was just on Fodor searching for my post on something completely irrelevant to this post , and "cancelling an apartment in Paris" caught my eye, because I have just booked an apartment in Paris, having no idea about all the above, a friend went to Paris last year and rented an apartment through Homeaway and recommended it to me, (was looking on booking.com originally) I found a suitable one and reserved it for four nights. It is free cancellation, the owner emailed me and said not to worry, he has declined my pre payment and that I can pay cash for the full amount when I get there which isn't til next June, thought that was odd, but it's the first one I've ever booked, we are travelling Europe for 6 weeks from Australia, do I need to worry about this, no money has been paid but is there a chance the apartment will not be available at the time we need it, should I book a hotel instead?
I looked on that link on legal apartments and it's all in French?

>>nd that I can pay cash for the full amount when I get there<<

Which almost guarantees it is an illegal rental.

Your decision . . .

juleslove, after reading the posts above it's your call. Personally I'd look at one of the apartment hotels if an apartment is important to you, there are several brands in Paris, Citadines, Adagio, etc. Since you're booking so far out you'll find many are cancellable up to a few days prior to your arrival, that way there are no worries about illegal apartments being cancelled.

Many times, owners aren't comfortable accepting money one year in advance - for a variety of reasons. People change their minds, find something else they like, travel plans change, they might sell the apartment...

But I've never heard of a "free cancellation" in the vacation rental business. Normally, you pay a deposit, then the balance of the rental fees in installments before you arrive.

There is normally a sliding scale of reimbursements, depending on how long in advance you cancel.

But if this person doesn't want your money now, and will only accept the full amount in cash when you arrive, I think you should find something that will give you much more security. This sounds really fishy to me, and it's just not worth all the worry and hassle if you're only staying 4 nights.

If you really need a kitchen and laundry facilities, book a room in Citadines or Adagio apart'hotels. If you really won't use those facilities that much, book a hotel with a fridge and a laundromat around the corner.

There's no telling what will happen to the vacation rental market in the months to come, but it won't be pretty.

I guarantee that anybody who prefers that you pay in cash is perhaps not renting illegally but most definitely engaging in income tax evasion.

In France, it is illegal to pay for anything over 1000 euros in cash. Unfortunately, foreign tourists are exempted.

kerouac - yes, but the French banking system has put limits on how much cash can be deposited into or withdrawn from an account on a weekly basis.
I suppose those with multiple rentals just have multiple bank accounts - or are tucking the cash under their mattresses.

Not a good idea to pay cash. Free cancellation is fine, but HomeAway accepts credit cards and that is the way I would go.

You have a contract or something? If owner wants cash and gives free cancellation, he may just want to leave no trace behind him. No reservation, no contract, no money, no nothing perfect.
But works both ways.

Woops, 5 nights, not that it makes any difference.
No contract and 100% free cancellation as long as its no later than 30 days before.
I was thinking, he was avoiding paying taxes but now, not so sure.
I will cancel rather than worrying.
Citadines Republique have availability, they are in the 11th arr, what is that Arr like, was looking at 1st, 4th, 6th? I haven't checked out Adagio yet, is that through booking.com?

Is it just Paris i need to be mindful of with apartments, will also be visiting, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Germany and Czech Republic?
Airbnb are advertising on Australian tv atm, "don't go to Paris, live there" encouraging people to book apartments etc!
Thank you everyone.