cc_12

Hi everyone I'm looking for some advice. This is the first time I will be renting from an owner so I am a bit nervous. On VRBO I found a condo to rent in Vegas that is part of a hotel/resort and half of the suites are privately owned and half are owned and rented by the hotel. So I have made contact with the owner and he has requested 150.00 deposit before he will make the reservation and then requires the full payment before sending me the confirmation information. I requested that I be able to contact the resort after sending my 150.00 to ensure that the reservation has been made. However, he indicated that I have to pay in full before getting any confirmation info from him or the hotel. Does this sound right? He will take payment through paypal so does that insure me if this guy isn't legite?

Any info or advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

iceeu2

cc 12, I rented thru vrbo for the first time this past April. It wasn't in Vegas, but I was given the contact info and able to verify ownership before even sending a deposit.

irishswampyankee

Have used VRBO or similar many times and never had a prob. They all want $$ up front and full payment prior. However, I always do research b4 sending any $. Once, I found out that the owner did own but wasn't free to rent bcs he also had a contract with the prop. management co. to do all the rentals and so sometimes his place was double booked. Yikes! Try to get a main # for the complex to verify he is the owner and is free to rent it. There must be a property management co. you could talk to. Maybe a local realtor would know who the management co is if they don't have a central # listed.

Good luck and have fun.

isy

beentheretwice

We've used VRBO a number of times. Typically you reservation is made with the deposit, and you get paperwork to that effect. Final payment is made 30 days prior to the stay, and then you get the entry information, unit #, whatever.

When I subleased a timeshare there was a certificate of transfer that was mailed to me after the first payment was made. Again, key code came after the final payment.

You should get something in writing after the reservation payment is made, including his name and the property listing in question.

Beyond that I would want confirmation that he has the right to rent this property. You don't need entry information until you make the final payment prior to your stay.

You should contact Paypal about their guarantee. I would think that would come through whatever credit card you are using to fund your Paypal account. Paypal serves to protect your credit information.

You could also ask the renter for references from previous tenants. Get more than one, who might just be their good "friend".

Finally, we've never had a problem renting this way, but trust your instincts and ask for reasonable concessions.

SAnParis

I have probably rented through vrbo well over 50 times & never had a problem. If you can pay by credit card, all the better.