rholt

I would appreciate input on a question I have about the best way for me to pay for an apartment that I will be staying in for four weeks in Aix this summer.

This is an issue for me becasue the owner of the apartment does not take credit cards. This leaves me a little puzzled becasue I had planned on relying (to a great degree) on the creidt card while on this trip.

An obvious alternative is to hit the ATM often to get sufficient cash Euros to pay the rent. But - I don't like relying so heavily on the ATM and I don't like the idea of having so much cash around.

Are there any cost effective alternatives? How do other people deal with this issue?

Appreciate the input.

Thanks

gracejoan3

Most apartment rentals do not take credit cards. The usual is a % deposit, plus a security deposit with the final payment maybe two months in advance of the rental. The usual is to wire transfer funds via your bank.

I do this regularly.

Dave_in_Paris

I agree, a wire transfer is best. Usually, the rate of the currency conversion, dollars to euros, is best when the conversion is done on the receiving end, though this adds some uncertainty to what already is a bit of an uncertain process, because you never quite know the charges involved, particulaarly charges by correspondent banks if any become involved.

emvic

I rented a house for a week in Provence and had to pay a deposit in advance and then the remainder 6 weeks before arrival. We did the transaction via PayPal. Very easy -- all done on the computer at home--charged it to my credit card (or you can have the money deducted directly from your bank account.) The money is sent directly to the other person's bank account. All they need is an email account. Very low fees, too.

AnselmAdorne

rholt, almost all of the owners we have dealt with have asked for a bank draft or an electronic bank transfer. Either way works well, but I find it expensive.

Anselm

rholt

Thanks for the input.

Underhill

The owner of the B&B where we have reservations for October also asked for a wine transfer. It went through in about 4 days; no problems. It's a bit unsettling to send hard cash, though, with no recourse in the event of problems.

Christina

I don't quite follow when you need to pay, and how much, either. Any apt. I've rented in France has insisted on complete payment in advance (large deposit, then remainder later on). I'm not familiar with agencies that will let you move in without paying for the entire amount in advance, even if they let you pay part upon arrival before moving in. At leat this is the situation for short-term vacation rentals, as landlords can't risk someone not showing up or staying there without paying.

But, if you found a place that doesn't require prepayment, and you can pay weekly while there or something, why would you have to have the cash lying around -- wouldn't you withdraw it from the ATM and immediately give it to the landlord? This is probably a cheaper place if they allow that, although I'm guessing, so I would think using the ATM for a few hundred would work okay. If you need to withdraw more than that to pay the rent, why would it be laying around -- couldn't you give part of it to the landlord as soon as you get it?

gracejoan3

I have also used the PayPal system. It is very convenient to use.I think it is rather costly to the property owner.

It sounded like this was not an option for this rental.

It is unusual that there are no deposit requirements and full payment prior to arrival. Are you certain of the rental agreement?

rholt

There may in-fact be a deposit requirement.

I am actually asking this question on behalf of my mother - and I am a little fuzzy on some of the deteails.