HI!

Has anyone paid this while using sleepinitaly or other apartment rentals:

"At the check-in you will be requested to pay a guarantee deposit of Euro 200,00 that will be given back to you at the check-out."

Just want to know if this is a common practise. I am renting apartment for the first time and the deposit amount seems really big. Please help!

hi Shilp,

it is normal in Italy for the renter to ask for a security deposit, though on our most recent visit the owner refused to take it! 25-33% is not unusual.

as renters ourselves we don't take a deposit but this is the UK where it is not normal to do so.

we have never had a problem with getting our deposit returned.

regards, ann

Hi Ann,
thanks for the response. I just found the amount huge ( I am paying 600euros for 5 nights and giving 20000euros as deposit).....thus worried!
Shilpi

shilpi - that's quite normal in my experience - 33.33%.

if you break something, like a glass, i suggest that you replace it rather than leaving it to the renter- it'll probably be cheaper!

have a great trip,

regards, ann

Shilpi - I think you are mis-reading the amount. Europeans use a comma instead of a period to separate euros from cents, so the 200,00 euros = 200 euros, 0 cents.

Shilpi, are you from the U.S.?

Is there a communication problem with numbers?

When an Italian writes "200,00", it is what we write "200.00" in the U.S.

greg, i hadn't spotted that.

but what other number could €200,00 be? there are not enough noughts for it to be €200,000!

In the US we refer to that as "damage deposit" paid by the renter (the temporary occupant) to the owner (or rental agency). It is customary in resort locations (beach or ski houses) here.
Where annhig says "renter" "if you break something, like a glass, i suggest that you replace it rather than leaving it to the renter" I think s/he means you, the renter, should not leave it to the owner to replace out of your damage deposit.

kayd - you're right.

i was having a senior moment. for renter read owner.

but i think that the advice is still sound.

Hazel1/greg: This is news to me! If it is really 200.00 and not 200,00 then I am OK! Lemme check with sleepinitaly immediately!U guys are enlightening!

Kayd/annhig: Itake the advice as gold....I will definitely replace if my dear 2 year old damages anything ( pray to God he doesn't!)

YIPEEEEEEE...it is 200 Euros only! And I booked the following:

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/info-lud...d_appartam=173

Thanks a million guys!

Also, in most cases you can give the security deposit in the form of a personal check, from your own bank, in your own currency. I've done this several times and never had a problem with having it returned immediately upon checkout, when dealing with Sleep in Italy that is. Can't say about other firms.

dave

Daveesl: I intend to do the same!Thanks

SchilpiC - it looks great.

have a wonderful time.

another tip, if there are foods that you/your family [especially a two year old] find essential, do think about taking a bit with you, so that you don't have to shop for them immediately on arrival. for example, being english, we like tea. rather than waste our time looking for the right sort of tea-bags, i just take my own.

this does depend however on how much your favourites weigh - I wouldn't advise taking jars of jam or pea-nut butter!

Annhig: Great suggestion! Thanks