I am supposed to be in a vacation rental for the next few weeks and checked in a few days ago. However, I'm having to medicate myself with asthma medicine because there is a mold issue in the unit. I've been allergic to mold all my life and recognize the smell and ensuing reaction. While I can likely survive the next few weeks medicating myself, I'd prefer to leave and go somewhere else that is not moldy. What are my options? Everything is prepaid...do I contact the owner, the vacation rental management company, or just suck it up and consider the amount paid a loss since I've been here more than 12 hours?

I would contact BOTH. First the vacation rental management company (because they are who control other inventory and hopefully have the ability to reassign you). Then the owner, if necessary if the mgmt co does not take immediate action.

I was in this situation in a Mexico condo rental one time (they were trying to cover it up with so much air "freshener" packets the place STUNK like a "rose". I stayed for two days trying to clean the place up myself but could not. I emailed the management co. and they immediately (the next morning) moved me to a different unit in the same building that was perfection.

Also decide what you're willing to accept. Would you take a refund in full, in order to move out, and have to go find a new place? Or you want a reassignment from them?

I agree, start with the rental agency. Keep is simple, report that there is a mold problem in the unit that needs addressing. Is the mold visible? If not, you may have to be more insistent with them.

There doesn't seem to be anywhere else to stay on their site, so I think I would be asking for a refund to try to go stay at a hotel somewhere.

What are you waiting for ?!

I would have been on the phone (not the website but talking to a real live person) the minute I checked in and noticed the problem. If they can't immediately relocate you, They should give you a full refund. before the close of business today.

Don't try to figure it out yourself on a website. ASK! First I would ask them to confirm that ("It appears there are no other units open, and I am having difficulty breathing with the conditions in my current rental.") See what they say. If they are willing to give a refund, I'd snag it and find another place. Smells and sounds are two things that photos of vacation rentals don't convey that can be real issues.

I think vacation rentals can be a good idea. Sometimes. But they do not have the consistency of a hotel or resort property. Or offer an easy alternative when something goes wrong.