Renters FAQs

Q.  How do I contact the owner of the vacation rental?
A.  Each individual listing on our site includes contact information for the owner.  To email just click on the email icon and you will be taken to a form.  After you fill in the form and click submit it will be sent to the owner and hopefully you will receive a prompt reply.  There will usually be a telephone contact number should you wish to speak to the owner in person.

Q.  Can I email the webmaster of Ideal Vacation Rentals for information about a specific vacation rental?
A.  Ideal Vacation Rentals is an internet listing service for owners of vacation rentals as well as helping potential renters find a suitable vacation home.   We are like a newspaper in the sense that we provide the means for the owners to advertise their vacation homes, however we have nothing whatsoever to do with their rentals.

Q.  Do the owners pay you commissions or referral fees?
A.  The owners pay a flat annual rate to advertise on our site.  We are not a "middle man" in the booking process and do not charge any commissions or referral fees.

Q.  How do I know that the owner has a legitimate rental?
A.  We do not check out each vacation home that is advertised on our site, just as a newspaper does not check to see if an ad is legitimate or not.  However if you are concerned about this there are a few things you could do.  Speaking on the phone with the owner, will often establish a sense of trust.  You may want to ask for referrals from previous renters and ask questions that only the owners would be able to answer.  Usually you will be able to tell if the answers sound suspicious.  For example, the price may sound too good to be true or the owner may not be able to tell you the exact location of the property.  You could also ask for the phone number of someone in the complex who may be able to verify that the owner is legitimate.  The good thing to remember is that anyone doing this would not last long on a vacation rental site, once they were found out once.  So far we have not experienced this happening on Ideal Vacation Rentals.  

Q.  What kind of deposit and payment arrangements can I expect?
A.  Most property owners require a deposit of between 10% to 50% of the total rental price to hold a reservation.  This is usually due immediately upon making your booking.  You will probably also be asked for a refundable damage deposit that you will receive back after your rental is over, as long as you leave the property in good condition.  Each owner may have a slightly different way of handling payment and most will have you sign a simple rental agreement.

Q.  Why do most owners require the balance of payment one or two months in advance of a check in date?
A.  Unlike hotels, which are big companies, private owners need the guarantee that you have committed yourself to rent their property for specified dates.  Quite often people book well in advance for their holidays.  If an owner allowed you to pay the balance on arrival or at the end of your stay, you may decide to forfeit your deposit and cancel the booking for whatever reason.  This would probably leave the owner in a situation where they could not rent the property again for the time you have cancelled. 

Q.  What kind of cancellation policy can I expect from an owner?
A.  Owners may vary in their cancellation policies so it is best for you to find out all these details before you make a booking.

Q.  Do owners provide me with any kind of cancellation insurance?
A.  Probably not.  Some people with health problems that could re occur just before a trip, may want to look into their own cancellation insurance for their rental.  This usually only costs a few dollars on every $100 spent and can ease your mind if this is a concern.

Q.  Once I book, how do I receive details regarding check in and check out, how to get the key, and directions to the property etc.?
A.  It is up to the owner of the property you are renting to send you detailed instructions which include everything you need to know.  Owners have different ways of getting the key to you.  Some send it by courier, others have a lock box on the door and others either live on property and are there to greet you, or send someone else to give you the key.  In some rental complexes the owner arranges for you to pick up the key at the front desk or office.

Q.  What happens if something goes wrong during my stay?
A.  Make sure the owner provides you with contact numbers for any emergencies which may arise during your stay.  Usually if there is a problem, the owner will arrange a solution as quickly as possible.

Q.  Do I have to clean the unit before I leave?
A.  Most owners of vacation rentals have the homes cleaned before and after your stay and they expect you to tidy up as you go along.  Sometimes they provide maid service once a week depending on the length of your stay, or you may have to pay extra for maid service.  There are also owners who expect you to leave the unit as you found it.  It is up to you to find out the expectations of each individual owner.