I am trying to rent an apartment in Buenos Aires for a week in late July. Found one, asked about the deposit and cancellation policy . . . $100 deposit and non-refundable. Is this the norm?

We are about 4 months out . . . seems excessive to me but I'm new to short-term rentals.

Opinions?

Thanks,
Sandy (in Denton)

"<i>$100 deposit and non-refundable. Is this the norm? . . . seems excessive to me</i>"

That is a pretty small deposit IME. $100 non-refundable is nothing. Many landlords require 25% or 50% up front and the balance 4-8 weeks before arrival.

Some will take final payment when you arrive - but those tend to have the higher deposits.

Check if that is the actual deposit or if it is some sort of booking or holding fee. The deposit is usually much bigger and is refundable if there is no damage to the property. Use a reputable service, ones people on here have used, as there are a lot of scams on flat rental in Buenos Aires.

Lots of $100 deposit scammers particualrly on Craigslist

saexplorers.org/clubhouses/buenosaires

best reliable boots on the ground info.

many on line scammers and tax cheats

I always pay with CC never wire money

Usually prefer to stay cheaply a night or 2

at a 4 or 5 star from $50/nt the Claridge one of my favs

bidding priceline.com check out locally personally

prior to comitting for any length of time

Always get best deals areas and can negotiate price that way.

Caveat Emptor insuremytrip.com always wise.

I'm asking about the deposit being refundable if we cancel . . . usually, if one cancels 31+ days out, it is fully refundable; less than 30, not.

Thanks,
Sandy

"<i>The deposit is usually much bigger and is refundable if there is no damage to the property. </i>"

I think you are talking about a cleaning/security deposit.

Most agencies/owners also ask for a deposit to hold the place -- which is part of the total rent. For instance a $500 apartment might require a $200 deposit at time of booking and the $300 balance at some set time before arrival. That would be separate from any security deposit.

Whether all or part of a booking deposit is refundable is up to the terms of that specific owner/agency.

Maybe post a link to the agency/property and someone may know if they are legit or not.

If it helps any, post the apartment rental website.. we can tell you if they are valid/honest/reliable etc .. hopefully.

July is winter, there might be more apartments available .. better choices at that time.
Do you have a good list of rental websites? If not, we can provide them

We are looking at these two on vrbo.

http://www.vrbo.com/176989

http://www.vrbo.com/237899

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Sandy

DW and I have had good luck staying in vrbo properties in Europe. Descriptions are usually accurate if you read them carefully, and reviews are usually honest, although they don't post bad reviews.

VRBO is a pretty big outfit. That being said, they're a middleman, and you usually are dealing directly with the owner of the property.

These two apartments look to be good.

Unfortunately, I can't speak to your issue with the non-refundable deposit, but it soes not seem exhorbitant to me.

Personally, if we visit BA again, it will be with an apartment stay, and I'll be looking on vrbo or homeaway for my choices. There have been a myriad of problems described by people who have rented from some of the listed agencies in BA.

Have a great trip!
tptr

Homeaway and VRBO are, as tptr correctly observes, "middlemen." This means the success or lack thereof with your rental depends upon the owner. Homeaway and VRBO make some effort to ensure that properties listed on their site are actually owned/managed by the person doing the listing....but cannot ensure whether the owner will be responsive should a problem arise (the air conditioning goes out or the toilet backs up). Nor can they attest to the honesty of the landlord re: return of deposit and so forth.....Do your homework in advance. Check with references. And ask lots of questions....for example, if the owner lives in the USA, who manages the property locally if problems come up and so forth.?

I have rented an apartment several times in BA that I found on VRBO. No complaints at all....but that is because the property is owned by a responsible landlord and not because it is listed on VRBO. There are lots of scams in BA with apartment rentals...proceed with caution.

The world-famous top Internet expert on Argentina and all related matters is AGAIN POSTING HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hip, hip, hooray!

Have a great time in our country (following drdawggy's incomparable advice!). LOL!!!

drdawg makes valid points about homeaway & vrbo.

When I'm looking for a property to rent through those middle-people, I usually start by reading the reviews..............even tracked one reviewing party down in Seattle one year and called to see if their review was on the level............it was.

We must be lucky as the landlords we've dealt with from vrbo have been VERY above board, and a joy with which to work.

hip, hip, hooray from Av reminds me............I played the Circus on Sunday! (No, not in a clown suit.....bwaaa-haaa-haa!)