Homelidays - I wished I had been warned!
Mar 20th, 2011, 10:45 AM
#81
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I can understand, I wouldn't use them to begin with, but I think you are being unreasonable if you expect a vehicle for advertisers to somehow "verify" an apartment address personally in locations in many countries. What do you expect them to do? Surely you don't expect staff of a website headquartered in one location to personally visit addresses all over Europe?
Now I suppose there could be some kind of legal papers of owners and addresses required, but I think that's asking too much of a place that just publishes ads. Newspapers or magazines don't do that for people selling or renting things in their ads, what's the difference.
I can understand your distate, but think you are being unrealistic as to what a website that just publishes ads is going to do to protect you when you should be protecting yourself (through insurance and the way you vet these places, or the risk you choose to take in the first place by renting from ads on the internet from private owners you don't know).
Now I suppose there could be some kind of legal papers of owners and addresses required, but I think that's asking too much of a place that just publishes ads. Newspapers or magazines don't do that for people selling or renting things in their ads, what's the difference.
I can understand your distate, but think you are being unrealistic as to what a website that just publishes ads is going to do to protect you when you should be protecting yourself (through insurance and the way you vet these places, or the risk you choose to take in the first place by renting from ads on the internet from private owners you don't know).
Mar 20th, 2011, 11:31 AM
#83
I don't have a problem with old threads being resurrected. Things change, and being able to update an old thread allows people to note those changes.
If for example, I had stayed at a fabulous apartment 5 years ago, and had raved about it here only to find, some time later that it had deteriorated alarmingly, then the original thread would be a better place to post this assessment than a new thread.
What does worry me in this case is a thread being resurrected by a new user, with no other posts, with the sole purpose of being derogatory about an agency.
If for example, I had stayed at a fabulous apartment 5 years ago, and had raved about it here only to find, some time later that it had deteriorated alarmingly, then the original thread would be a better place to post this assessment than a new thread.
What does worry me in this case is a thread being resurrected by a new user, with no other posts, with the sole purpose of being derogatory about an agency.
Mar 20th, 2011, 06:22 PM
#84
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nfarrell, what an odd post. I don't want to minimize your problem, but why do you degrade Homelidays, yet say you use other agencies which presumably could have the same situation. What prevents other agencies (assuming they operate the same way as Homelidays) from the same situation? And why on earth if you have used "good" agencies, would you not include the names of those agencies. Or is it your policy to only name the bad and never the good? How bizarre.
Dec 5th, 2011, 09:47 PM
#85
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Sorry to drag this thread up yet again but as my question is related to some of the replies here I decided it was better not to start a new topic.
I am interested in renting an apartment listed on Homelidays and would like some tips on what kind of correspondence to have with the owner in order to reassure myself that he is genuine.
NeoPatrick posted: "I check them out pretty thoroughly and do a fair amount of correspondance before sending a check"
Can you give some examples of this correspondence please? I am unsure as to what kind of questions I should be asking.
What other ways can I check the owner out? His apartments are also listed on another website with links back to Homelidays for bookings.
Many thanks.
I am interested in renting an apartment listed on Homelidays and would like some tips on what kind of correspondence to have with the owner in order to reassure myself that he is genuine.
NeoPatrick posted: "I check them out pretty thoroughly and do a fair amount of correspondance before sending a check"
Can you give some examples of this correspondence please? I am unsure as to what kind of questions I should be asking.
What other ways can I check the owner out? His apartments are also listed on another website with links back to Homelidays for bookings.
Many thanks.
Dec 6th, 2011, 05:16 AM
#86
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My questions are more often about the apartment itself, not so much checking out the validity of the rental itself.
I often ask specifics about the tub and/or shower; number of windows and what they face or the proximity to other apartments or windows; number of steps up to the apartment; that sort of thing.
I also confirm things like cleaning -- is a professional cleaner hired before and after the rental or do they rely on each renter to thoroughly clean up? (I won't stay in one where the latter is true).
Checking validity, I'd ask for specific referrals from someone who has stayed there. If it's an American couple who will answer questions, then I feel pretty confident it's legitimate. I've also been known to use the internet to check out specific addresses and I "demand" to know the actual address of the apartment. Using a strange site for a London flat that supposedly had a concierge and lobby type desk and all seemed too good to be true, I found the address was actually a sandwich shop and was glad I didn't follow through on checking out THAT rental!
I often ask specifics about the tub and/or shower; number of windows and what they face or the proximity to other apartments or windows; number of steps up to the apartment; that sort of thing.
I also confirm things like cleaning -- is a professional cleaner hired before and after the rental or do they rely on each renter to thoroughly clean up? (I won't stay in one where the latter is true).
Checking validity, I'd ask for specific referrals from someone who has stayed there. If it's an American couple who will answer questions, then I feel pretty confident it's legitimate. I've also been known to use the internet to check out specific addresses and I "demand" to know the actual address of the apartment. Using a strange site for a London flat that supposedly had a concierge and lobby type desk and all seemed too good to be true, I found the address was actually a sandwich shop and was glad I didn't follow through on checking out THAT rental!
Dec 6th, 2011, 05:19 AM
#87
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Oh, another point. If the listing includes reviews, and if there are a few things like "our only complaint was the bed was pretty uncomfortable" or "we were a little surprised that only two towels were provided" then I can be pretty sure those reviews are real. No one posts fake reviews and includes negatives.
Dec 6th, 2011, 10:25 AM
#88
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I didn't see this topic in its earlier incarnations but I used homelidays twice for Paris studios - once in '09 and once in '10. In both cases I was very pleased - the ads had many good references. Both times I emailed the owner and asked pertinent questions and when the owners promptly replied I felt they were legit. In the first case I did a bank transfer for the deposit and the second Paypal. I also had the actual address and in both cases a rental agreement to sign. I also was able to find both owners in the Paris phone book as well.
http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/pagesblanches
Hope that helps.
http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/pagesblanches
Hope that helps.
Dec 6th, 2011, 10:44 AM
#89
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definitely try to get the real name of the owner and the actual street address. And then google is your friend. Use google's street view to check out the address and see if it looks like it should. This isn't perfect but it will help reassure you. Google the name of the owner, the management company if applicable, and the name of the rental property. You may find some interesting things. Local newspaper references to the owner, reviews in sites you didn't know about, that kind of thing.
Like Patrick, I always ask specific questions about the property...what is in the neighborhood, what is the street like, what the windows face, what are the neighbors like (lots of families, or more transient rentals), what about equipment in the rental...even small stuff like coffee maker or grill. The more specifics you get, the fewer surprises. And if the owner or manager is too vague, well that's definitely a red flag.
Like Patrick, I always ask specific questions about the property...what is in the neighborhood, what is the street like, what the windows face, what are the neighbors like (lots of families, or more transient rentals), what about equipment in the rental...even small stuff like coffee maker or grill. The more specifics you get, the fewer surprises. And if the owner or manager is too vague, well that's definitely a red flag.
Dec 6th, 2011, 11:31 AM
#90
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Thank you for the replies, they are very helpful.
I have found a Paris apartment listed on Homelidays that I am very interested in renting and want to be sure that it is legit. So far the correspondence with the owner, who is French, has been prompt and my questions answered.
He has now sent me a two-page contract to sign and return with a 50 euro deposit but, having not seen a rental contract before, I am unable to judge its validity. Can anyone provide an example of a contract to compare it with?
The 50 euro deposit is required to be paid by Paypal, bank transfer or Western Union with the remainder to be paid upon arrival. There is a 20 euro cleaning charge and no security deposit required.
Whilst I have not yet got the owner's contact details he has supplied his local representative's name, address and phone number, which do check out in the phone book. The signed contract is to be sent to the representative's home address.
The apartment's address also checks out on Google Maps, matching the photos given on the website. The owner's emails appearing to be coming from Ireland. Should I ask for his address and contact details also?
The reason I am a little nervous is because I am a first-time apartment renter and this apartment has only been listed on Homelidays since September this year. It has five positive reviews. Through a link on the Homelidays listing I have found that the owner has a website on which there are over half a dozen other apartments listed and linked back to the Homelidays website. At least one of the other apartments has been on the Homelidays website for two years and has multiple positive reviews.
Is there anything else I can do? I feel that this rental is legit but would really like to have another contract to compare this one with, just to be sure. It is not what I expected as it is very simple and appears to have been run through a French-English translator LOL.
I have found a Paris apartment listed on Homelidays that I am very interested in renting and want to be sure that it is legit. So far the correspondence with the owner, who is French, has been prompt and my questions answered.
He has now sent me a two-page contract to sign and return with a 50 euro deposit but, having not seen a rental contract before, I am unable to judge its validity. Can anyone provide an example of a contract to compare it with?
The 50 euro deposit is required to be paid by Paypal, bank transfer or Western Union with the remainder to be paid upon arrival. There is a 20 euro cleaning charge and no security deposit required.
Whilst I have not yet got the owner's contact details he has supplied his local representative's name, address and phone number, which do check out in the phone book. The signed contract is to be sent to the representative's home address.
The apartment's address also checks out on Google Maps, matching the photos given on the website. The owner's emails appearing to be coming from Ireland. Should I ask for his address and contact details also?
The reason I am a little nervous is because I am a first-time apartment renter and this apartment has only been listed on Homelidays since September this year. It has five positive reviews. Through a link on the Homelidays listing I have found that the owner has a website on which there are over half a dozen other apartments listed and linked back to the Homelidays website. At least one of the other apartments has been on the Homelidays website for two years and has multiple positive reviews.
Is there anything else I can do? I feel that this rental is legit but would really like to have another contract to compare this one with, just to be sure. It is not what I expected as it is very simple and appears to have been run through a French-English translator LOL.
Dec 6th, 2011, 03:56 PM
#93
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I might have a copy of a French rental contract, but do you read French? If so, I'll try to find it, but I would think the issue would be just to read it and see if there is something you don't agree with or not. Legally, I think it is normal (or even required) in France to state that the renter must have insurance for the apartment. This is different than some places, as in the US, you might expect the owner to carry the insurance (not for your belongings, but for the unit itself and its furniture).
I presume the contract I got was fairly standard from French rental agents, things like that usually are. It was NOT simple, several pages of legalese, so I can't imagine what you got would be the same thing. Tomorrow I'll see if I can dig it up and summarize the basic features.
I presume the contract I got was fairly standard from French rental agents, things like that usually are. It was NOT simple, several pages of legalese, so I can't imagine what you got would be the same thing. Tomorrow I'll see if I can dig it up and summarize the basic features.
Dec 6th, 2011, 04:08 PM
#94
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I've only had one or two page contracts to sign from my four studio rentals in Paris - these were from individuals not rental agencies so I guess they are different from what Christina has mentioned above.
I also have only paid fairly small deposits with the balance payable upon arrival and have never paid any security deposit but my rentals were basically budget studios under 600 Euro for the week if I remember correctly.
I also have only paid fairly small deposits with the balance payable upon arrival and have never paid any security deposit but my rentals were basically budget studios under 600 Euro for the week if I remember correctly.
Dec 7th, 2011, 12:01 PM
#95
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I found the contract and it is only two pages, but it's got a lot of legalities in it so I'm sure it kind of a standard French rental contract that you can buy somewhere.
Basically, it specifies the name and address of landlord and renter. It states that the contents of what is being rented (ie that it includes the furnishings). It states that it is a temporary rental and that under no condition is the renter to consider it their primary residence, and that no professional activities can be conducted there, and it gives exact date the renter must leave.
Then it specifies the rent and the deposit amounts, and that one-third of the deposit must be paid within 8 days of signing the contract. It goes into a lot more detail about what the deposit covers (damages, lost keys, if you run up any charges, etc.). It says that upon return of the keys and determination of no damages, etc., it must be returned no later than 60 days after departure.
There is some paragraph about understanding the contract is in relation to the agency I used (you wouldn't have that from a private party), and some fee due them. It cites some clauses of the civil code covering this type of rental and the agency.
Some clauses about what the retner must do to take care of the places and not do (ie, can't throw things into the toilet, must tgake out the garbage and put it in a certain place, etc.). The apt must be clean upon leaving. Some clauses about how you can't make any changes to the apt nor any installations. YOu must be peaceable and not cause problems. The renter cannot rent it to anyone else.
Paragraph about how the renter has to let the landlord in, or his agent, in case of needing to show it for sale or renting between certain hours it names. some sentences about how you have to let the landlord know immediately about any problem in the condition of the place (eg, if the hot water heater breaks).
some paragraphs quoting civil code and penalties if you don't vacate when agreed upon.
as for the section I was remembering on requiring insurance, it says "Il devra faire assurer la chose louée auprès d'une compagnie notoirement solvable contre les risques dont il doit répondre en sa qualité de locataire, notamment contre l'incendie, les dégâts des eaux, le recours des voisins, et en justifier au bailleur au plus tard lors de l'entrée des lieux." and more
that basically says the renter has to have insurance to cover things that may be their responsbiility or that they cause, such as fire, a flood due to water overflow, neighbors use, etc.
Basically, it specifies the name and address of landlord and renter. It states that the contents of what is being rented (ie that it includes the furnishings). It states that it is a temporary rental and that under no condition is the renter to consider it their primary residence, and that no professional activities can be conducted there, and it gives exact date the renter must leave.
Then it specifies the rent and the deposit amounts, and that one-third of the deposit must be paid within 8 days of signing the contract. It goes into a lot more detail about what the deposit covers (damages, lost keys, if you run up any charges, etc.). It says that upon return of the keys and determination of no damages, etc., it must be returned no later than 60 days after departure.
There is some paragraph about understanding the contract is in relation to the agency I used (you wouldn't have that from a private party), and some fee due them. It cites some clauses of the civil code covering this type of rental and the agency.
Some clauses about what the retner must do to take care of the places and not do (ie, can't throw things into the toilet, must tgake out the garbage and put it in a certain place, etc.). The apt must be clean upon leaving. Some clauses about how you can't make any changes to the apt nor any installations. YOu must be peaceable and not cause problems. The renter cannot rent it to anyone else.
Paragraph about how the renter has to let the landlord in, or his agent, in case of needing to show it for sale or renting between certain hours it names. some sentences about how you have to let the landlord know immediately about any problem in the condition of the place (eg, if the hot water heater breaks).
some paragraphs quoting civil code and penalties if you don't vacate when agreed upon.
as for the section I was remembering on requiring insurance, it says "Il devra faire assurer la chose louée auprès d'une compagnie notoirement solvable contre les risques dont il doit répondre en sa qualité de locataire, notamment contre l'incendie, les dégâts des eaux, le recours des voisins, et en justifier au bailleur au plus tard lors de l'entrée des lieux." and more
that basically says the renter has to have insurance to cover things that may be their responsbiility or that they cause, such as fire, a flood due to water overflow, neighbors use, etc.
Dec 7th, 2011, 02:18 PM
#96
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Gosh Christina, thanks for going to all the trouble to type that up, I hope you are a speed typist! 
My contract is nothing like that at all, it just states the names, addresses and phone numbers (the owner provided these when asked) of the owner and his representative and myself, a short description of the apartment ending with "all as described in the advertisement", a couple of sentences for general conditions, the duration of the rental, the rental cost and when it must be paid and that's virtually it! No rules or instructions on care of the apartment or anything like that. Insurance is included in the rental price.
I have asked a number of questions now and the owner has responded promptly each time, including supplying his name and address which check out on the Paris White Pages, so I went ahead and paid the deposit. The owner has already sent me the instructions on how to get into the apartment, even though I will not be going for five months yet.
Will just have to wait and see now, with fingers tightly crossed that it all works out!
My contract is nothing like that at all, it just states the names, addresses and phone numbers (the owner provided these when asked) of the owner and his representative and myself, a short description of the apartment ending with "all as described in the advertisement", a couple of sentences for general conditions, the duration of the rental, the rental cost and when it must be paid and that's virtually it! No rules or instructions on care of the apartment or anything like that. Insurance is included in the rental price.
I have asked a number of questions now and the owner has responded promptly each time, including supplying his name and address which check out on the Paris White Pages, so I went ahead and paid the deposit. The owner has already sent me the instructions on how to get into the apartment, even though I will not be going for five months yet.
Will just have to wait and see now, with fingers tightly crossed that it all works out!
Dec 9th, 2011, 04:52 AM
#99
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Christina,
Rather than copy that contract by typing try this... scan the
pages and save as jpgs.
Then go to http://www.free-ocr.com
You upload the image file(s) and the service translates into
a text file. Works well and best of all it's free.
Rather than copy that contract by typing try this... scan the
pages and save as jpgs.
Then go to http://www.free-ocr.com
You upload the image file(s) and the service translates into
a text file. Works well and best of all it's free.
Dec 10th, 2011, 10:47 AM
#100
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Parisamsterdam, I don't reallly understand your recommendation, but thanks for the thought. I read French quite well and it was no trouble to translate it, it is simultaneous with me in reading it. I didn't copy the contract, that was a summary. And I already had a PDF of the contract in my records. The contract was in French, which is why what I wrote wasn't a copy of it. It was a whole lot longer than what I wrote.
And yes, I do type very fast, so that wasn't any problem.
Obvious the people topazz got one from just wrote their own very casually, I'm sure the agency I used had lawyers probably and a lot of experience with French laws and renting.
And yes, I do type very fast, so that wasn't any problem.
Obvious the people topazz got one from just wrote their own very casually, I'm sure the agency I used had lawyers probably and a lot of experience with French laws and renting.
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