Hello everyone,

I found an apartment on Homeaway we'd like to rent for 4 nights this summer: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p464361

We have confirmed availability and let the owner know we'd like to rent it. I asked if he had a written agreement. He replied that I can make a deposit of 80 euros via Paypal and the balance is due in cash upon arrival.

Is this the typical practice? Would you require a written contract (detailing cancellation policy, etc) or is this not done for short-term rentals in Italy? I'm not wild about paying cash though it is not like he asked for it up front.

Your advice/experience is most appreciated -- thanks!

Of course you should have a signed written agreement/contract. But it's not at all unusual to pay a balance, or even the full payment, in cash upon arrival.

I'd certainly want to know the cancellation policy. There should be some terms and conditions. I didn't see any on the web site. I haven't had written contracts on apartment rentals but was told the T&C in an email.

I have paid cash upon arrival for apartments.

The apartment looks very nice except for the prefab shower.

2 things about the apartment -

There is only the small eating space in kitchen [with stools to sit on]. Don't know how much you plan to eat in, but those stools wouldn't work for me.

Also, the bathroom with the tub - there does not appear to be a proper place to hang the shower spray. That means it is really used as tub only; a pain to try and shower with it.

[We had prefab showers in the apartments in both Florence and Rome that we recently rented. This one looks a bit bigger though].

A contract isn't going to do much for you, the renter. It is usually made out in the landlord/owners' advantage and if there is a problem - what are you going to do - sue someone in Italy?

I agree that know the cancel policy is important and I would pay attention to the reviews. That means more to me than if there is lease or not.

Interesting. It seems terms and conditions are useless if not part of a formal contract, but then, as you've pointed out, I'm not planning on spending my vacation in an Italian small claims court.

Re: the apartment, we're only there 4 nights, don't plan on eating in it at all beyond a yogurt or two, and with 3 children, the tub will be just fine. Thanks for the input, though.

we have rented an apartment in Padua thru VRBO and had to make a deposit via paypal and balance due upon arrival. We do have a written contract in hand.

checked out the photos and the place looks great to me. Cancellation once you have made a reservation thru VRBO is usually you pay unless they can re-rent it....at least that has been the case on every VRBO that we have used. All you can do is ask....

I found your apartment on the Rome tourism website. It seems they have their own website under the name of Bella Trastevere. They have the apartment listed with the Rome Tourism Board, Homelidays, Atraveo and Homeaway.

http://www.bellatrastevere.it/index....id=3&Itemid=72

It's possible they are connected with another apartment on the same street as it's website is similar. Perhaps they just used the same design.

http://www.anticatrastevere.it/