Some tips to navigating through a vacation rental direct from the owner or property manager.

1. Book it! – Make reservations early. Ensure that the details of the rental are communicated clearly in a lease or written agreement. Make sure to include arrival and departure dates, payment schedules, detailed instructions, and terms and conditions related to cancellations and refunds in the lease. Make sure everything is agreed to in writing before you send the rental payment.

2. Preventing Fraud – Do your research! Google the owners name and or property address. Ask for references from past renters, locate the property (complete address) on a map, request additional photos of the property, speak to the owner before sending any money, request a written lease/rental agreement, and avoid using wire transactions when making a payment. Always pay with a credit card when possible.

3. Travel Arrangements – You can contact the owner for advice for avoiding traffic or more scenic routes. If your travelling from far away ask for the most convenient airport, car rentals, and alternative transportation options. Special parking requirements and passes should be detailed in the rental agreement.

4. Rental Details – Details on check-in times, pets, smoking and other unit-specific items should be explained in the rental agreement.

5. Deposit and Payment Due Dates – Usually a deposit of 10%- 50% is required to confirm the reservation, with full payment due 4-8 weeks prior to arrival but each owner will have their own structure. To avoid losing your reservation, you have to make sure all payments are sent as agreed in the lease.

6. Arrival – You should expect directions to the property, instructions for receiving keys or instructions for getting them at the property and the owner’s contact information.

Remember, you will be dealing with a different person each time you contact a property owner. Each owner/property manager will have their own format to renting their property. Always ask as many questions as possible and make sure you are comfortable with the agreement before entering into a contract or making payments or a deposit.

Happy Traveling,

New England Vacation Rental Team.