Vacation Rental Advice - Is It Worth The Risk?

Many vacation rental websites advertise rent-by-owner, meaning the renter deals directly with the homeowner. Unfortunately, these websites also come with risks that are potentially hazardous to the consumer. Bob Barnes, president and CEO of Zonder.com (a site that offers rental guarantees and features professionally-managed properties), presents the risks and challenges of renting by owner and how to protect yourself.

The risks and challenges of renting by owner:

• Property might not exist. Rent-by-owner sites typically do not guarantee that their advertised properties exist. Many sites even recommend renters meet the owner and visit the property beforehand, which is not practical for most travelers.
• You don’t know what you’re getting. Ever been on a date with someone you met online, only to find out they looked nothing like their picture? Rent-by-owner sites carry the same risk of false advertising. Because no one monitors the properties, you have no way of knowing if the pictures represent the true condition of the property. Most sites forewarn customers that they are not responsible for the properties or the advertisements, and the renter has to do all of the research to make sure they are not getting scammed.
• Risk of identity theft and fraud. The renter is required to provide a plethora of personal information, including credit card and bank info. Add in your home address, phone number, etc., and you are ripe for having your identity stolen. With this information, an advertiser of a false property can charge your credit card and then disappear, leaving you with a transaction you can’t trace.
• Trading price for quality. Many renters choose the rent-by-owner route because they think it will cost less than a rental company that features professionally-managed properties. However, realize that renting to save a few dollars also comes with the risk of not getting what you pay for, especially if the property doesn’t exist or doesn’t meet your needs.
• Renting from owners is time consuming. Once a renter finds a place, it is up to them to contact the owner to get rates and availability, set up payment, and fill out a rental contract, all of which can take time.
• No local maintenance support. If the homeowner is away or lives hundreds to thousands of miles from the property, there may be no one to assist you if there is a problem. If the hot water goes out, you might have to call a plumber to fix it.

How to protect yourself:

• Consider professionally-managed properties. Professional management companies provide security that rent-by-owner companies do not. Such companies guarantee the property is real and available, and guarantee that the price you are quoted is the price you pay. 
• Minimize your risk. Price is one of many factors to consider. Would you buy a brand new car without a warranty to save a few dollars? Travelers shouldn’t have to worry about being taken advantage of when planning a trip; booking professionally-managed properties protects you from those risks.
• Visit Zonder.com. The most trusted source of vacation rentals for Orbitz, Zonder offers safety and security for renters, and even goes above and beyond the assurances of professionally-managed properties. Zonder not only eliminates the risks of renting, but also does all the work for you.

Zonder’s guarantee means you are not only getting safety and security but peace of mind. Use sites you can trust who stand behind the properties they represent.