ADVICE PLEASE - PAYING FOR A RENTAL APARTMENT
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 22
ADVICE PLEASE - PAYING FOR A RENTAL APARTMENT
Hello. Have booked flights and accommodation to come out for 2 weeks from 11/11/12 to help at animal sanctuaries. I found the apartment via homelidays website, and emailed the owner direct. She has been very helpful. She has asked me to bank transfer to her a 100 euro returnable deposit (fine) and has asked I pay the 300 euro rental charge as cash to the woman who will meet me and give me the key at the apartment. I thought this seemed fair enough...but the homelidays site clearly states "do not pay cash"!
I have emailed them for clarification, but have not received a reply yet.
Do you think it's OK to pay cash on arrival? Or am I being dim? You have been so helpful that I thought I'd ask for your help again!
Many thanks
Caroline
I have emailed them for clarification, but have not received a reply yet.
Do you think it's OK to pay cash on arrival? Or am I being dim? You have been so helpful that I thought I'd ask for your help again!
Many thanks
Caroline
#2
Proud Swansea Jack
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Swansea
Posts: 39
Re: ADVICE PLEASE - PAYING FOR A RENTAL APARTMENT
Did that last week in CSD,paid a £100 and the remaining £50 to the agent who I met to get the keys off!
Had a receipt for it etc
Had a receipt for it etc
#3
Banned
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Mallorca
Posts: 19,367
Re: ADVICE PLEASE - PAYING FOR A RENTAL APARTMENT
It's pretty normal to do it this way, and 99% of them go exactly as advertised.
But beware, this is Spain. Your recourse, if it doesn't go as planned, is not nearly as clear or safe as in the UK. The courts here tend to favour the one with the most money.
But beware, this is Spain. Your recourse, if it doesn't go as planned, is not nearly as clear or safe as in the UK. The courts here tend to favour the one with the most money.
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 22
Re: ADVICE PLEASE - PAYING FOR A RENTAL APARTMENT
Phew! Glad to hear it's normal. I just panicked a bit when the website said don't pay cash. Thank you.
#5
Banned
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Mallorca
Posts: 19,367
Re: ADVICE PLEASE - PAYING FOR A RENTAL APARTMENT
Well, "don't pay cash" generally means "don't pay cash in advance" - before you arrive. This is always an invitation to lose your money.
The exception to this rule is if you are paying the full amount in advance through a major holiday rental company (e.g., airbnb.com, 9flats.com, ownersdirect.co.uk, etc.) who assumes full responsibility for holding the money in escrow until you agree that the apartment is as advertised and you are happy with it (when/after you arrive). If it's not as advertised or is a scam, you get your money back, or conversely, if you don't show, the landlord gets their money. It's a good system because it protects both the landlord and the guest from fraud.
The exception to this rule is if you are paying the full amount in advance through a major holiday rental company (e.g., airbnb.com, 9flats.com, ownersdirect.co.uk, etc.) who assumes full responsibility for holding the money in escrow until you agree that the apartment is as advertised and you are happy with it (when/after you arrive). If it's not as advertised or is a scam, you get your money back, or conversely, if you don't show, the landlord gets their money. It's a good system because it protects both the landlord and the guest from fraud.