We are considering renting an apartment in Rome (September) for 5 nights through RentalinRome. Has anyone any experience in using this rental agency? In addition to the rental, there is a service charge and a E780 security charge for damages. This charge is well in excess of the cost of the five night rent charge. The five day rental fee is paid on the day of arrival in cash as is the security charge. We would need to take photographs of all areas of the apartment in front of the owner/agent as proof of the state of the apartment on take over. It is said that the fee will be returned on check out.

We would be grateful for any urgent comments on this rental agency and its operations as this is the first time we have been asked to pay a security charge up front. None of our other accommodation 3 - 4 nights in various other parts of Italy either on this trip or previous trips have asked for a cash security charge.
Thanking you in advance.

I've been considering them as well for a trip in early 2012. They have very mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. Others travelers have also mentioned that they are uncomfortable walking about the city with that much cash. As for myself, I will think very carefully before booking with them. Seems like there are other options that don't present such problems.

I've rented through SleepinItaly in Rome a number of times and never had to give a security deposit or pay a service charge. I recall that RentalinRome has received some less than stellar reviews in this forum. You might try a search of the forum.

Thanks bradhshawgirl. I note that you raised a similar question and I have sent Kristen a query about her rental experience with them. I have since been looking on vbro and have found several reasonable apartments for E100 per night that do not ask for a damages security nor do they charge extra for cleaning.
Thanks SAB - I think your comments have sealed our thinking about RentalinRome. HeartintheSouth had similar bad comments on their review of their apartment, although their trip report made no mention of the bad experience.

Hi-I believe you sent me an email about this, but you didn't tell me how much of a deposit they wanted. 780 euro seems excessive, especially if it is more than the rental amount.

When I rented with them in 2008 we did not have to leave that much. We were allowed to leave a personal check for $200 I think. I wonder if the deposit amount is set by each individual apartment owner?

In 2009 I rented an apartment from SleepinItaly and had to leave a deposit as well so my experience was different from SAB.

Remember, RentalinRome is just an agency. They don't own the apartments, they just represent the owners. I also read some poor reviews when we rented and was nervous, but we ended up having a great experience.

Rasputin1, don't be surprised if the VRBO owners end up asking you for a deposit before you rent, even if it does not say so on the VRBO page.

It's weird - I've rented from VRBO before, and we've given a deposit via credit card, which I feel more comfortable about than a check or cash. (I mean, if there's a problem, I can dispute the charge with the credit card company at a later date. With a check, I have to stop payment on it before it's cashed, which I may not be able to do in time, kwim?)