Community : Discussion List - Screening

Is anyone aware of any state that requires you to rent if you have availability?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:12:05 GMT

Is anyone aware of any state that requires vacation home owners to rent their property to someone if the calendar shows it as avaiable? I had this come up today and my property is booked though it didn't show as such on my calendar. He originally made contact with me on Tuesday wanting a 3 night stay the 4th of July. I responded declining saying we have a 4 night minimum for those dates. Then I booked the home for the week Tuesday afternoon, I was busy yesterday and didn't get to update my calendar until today. Today I find in my spam folder a response from him saying my rate chart says 4 night minimum or $150 cleaning fee. He says "I am hereby accepting your offer as advertised and am booking the home for 3 nights plus a $150 cleaning fee. Please follow your advertised offer or explain why I am not qualified to accept your offer." The tone of the email was not appropriate so my husband did a quick search and sure enough this person is an attorney, given his tone I am expecting problems.

Even if the home wasn't already booked, is there anyway someone can force you to rent to them based on some flukey law in some state just because you have a listing? If the property was available and someone addressed me with that tone, I'd want to screen them out; agressive people are always a problem. How are we to screen out potential problem guests if we are mandated to let them stay simply because we have a listing? I'd like to know going forward should this come up again.

It seems to me there was someone in CA on the forum that had an attorney do something similiar to that, no agreement, no deposit, no rent then showed up and sued them for travel expenses for the whole family, their lodging and their distress. From another state to boot causing them great expense flying to defend themselves from some guy they had no written rental contract with. This is what makes me concerned even though it sounds crazy. Can simply saying "I accept your advertised offer" count as a binding agreement? What would I do since the home is already booked for the nights he is claiming now? I have been renting for 10 years and never had such a situation arise.

In fairness, the rates are listed as 4 night minimum or $150 cleaning fee. I had a line that said except July 4th, but it was on the previous row where fees for May1-June 10 are posted. It was there, just on the wrong line which I didn't realize when I first turned him away. I have corrected that now. FYI there is a line at the bottom of the rates that states "Until confirmed, rates are subject to change".

Thoughts and preferably facts please?

Passing on the name of a nightmare renter?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:29:05 GMT

My neighbor just called me with the name of a nightmare renter. I happen to know that he is telling the truth 100% about this renter, as I was staying at my own house while this renter was at my neighbors. If he hadn't called me regarding these people, I was going to call him. We have a semi shared yard and every morning I would wake up to the yard being a total pig stye, with beer and liquor bottles all over, paper plates, cups and food left out. One night was very windy and they left everything out and the umbrella open. The umbrella broke and the garbage was blown into my area of the yard. We are all responsible for putting our garbage out at the curb on garbage days, and they never put theirs out for 2 weeks. Apparently, they left the inside of the house in the same shape when they left. My question is, other than word of mouth, is there any way to warn other renters in my area about these people?

Limiting Children?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:15:41 GMT

We've had discussions on this before, but what is your approach to possibly limiting children? Currently we have a couple and their 3 children ages 5, 7 and 9 and it's the first time the neighbors have mentioned noise. Oh dear. Have to tell you that there are no Fair Housing laws or restrictions where we rent. Our home has 2 large bedroom suites which are in separate buildings. There are also 2 twin couches which make up into beds in the main house. So, we have a 6 person limit. Recently we got an inquiry for 2 adults and 4 children (ages 2, 4 - twins - and 6). Luckily they wanted 3 nights and our minimum is 5 so we could answer them that way. And, from the start they told us how old the children were, but most people don't. Our house is not really suitable for small ambulatory kids - stairs everywhere inside and out, decks, spa, etc., especially if they aren't well supervised. And how do you supervise kids sleeping in a different building?

If it was 2 or more adults and one toddler or small baby or a couple of older children it wouldn't worry us. So, any suggestions on if we ask them ahead of time how old their children are if there are more than one? Seems very awkward, but worry about safety, liability and damage.

Service to Handle Guest Drivers Licenses and Passports?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:19:42 GMT

As an owner I think it's a good practice to get a copy of a guests drivers license or passport to protect my rental. I've had some potential guests who've been reluctant to send a copy of these documents citing identity theft issues. As a frequent traveler to vacation rental homes I actually feel the same way. With so many scams out there you just never know. Likewise, I don't like being in possession of sensitive documents like this. It's a pain the have to remember to shred them all and delete them from my computer.

I'm wondering if any owners know of a service that will handle this for me that guests will trust? Have any of you had a need for something like this or am I way off base?

Internet search on guests

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:26:15 GMT

I haven't rented to anyone yet, as our place will not be ready for a couple of months. I've heard many of you say that you google a potential renter's email address, facebook, linkedin account, etc. I definitely want to screen as far as making sure the credit card holder/check writer is the actual person and not someone using a stolen card/check. So these are my questions:

1) At what point do you ask for proof of ID? Ask the customer to scan and email a copy at time of accepting down payment? Do you wait until you greet them on arrival? If so, have you run into any issues where the person says they left their ID at home?

2) What info are you looking for when doing a search on an email address? The reason I ask is because I don't post mine on the internet because I don't want to get junk mail from spammers.

3) With Linkedin....again what are you looking for? Since this is a site for professionals, have you ever discovered red flags?

4) With Facebook...don't most people have their accounts locked these days? I understand the red flag if you discovered an unlocked facebook account with postings reflecting immaturity/carelessness. How often are you able to find out anything on facebook? Are you searching in facebook by using their email address?

Please share any experiences where you have uncovered info on the internet and decided not to rent to that person. Are there any other internet methods you use to screen? Thank you for any feedback!

Should HomeAway Create a Renter Ratings System?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:23:00 GMT

The 5.0 scale rating system is a great way for potential renters to assess the quality of a vacation rental. In other words, the ratings scale system definitely provides a way for potential renters to ensure that the owner is honest and that the rental itself is as-advertised.

I wonder if a similar ratings system could and should be created to help owners assess potential renters. Would this type of feature make sense? For one thing, it would certainly help owners assess the honesty of potential renters - and whether they pay their bills!

I've had overwhelmingly good experience with most renters. I've met many nice people - and everyone has paid their rent for the vacation rental on time. But I have to admit that a couple of renters were "complainers" - people who aren't really people I would want to have back. Thus, a ratings scale for renters (as judged by owners) might just make sense. For one thing, it would allow me to communicate this feedback information I have about renters with other owners - something that I myself would appreciate in turn.

What do you think?

So should I remove bad renter name and info. topic from this forum?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:15:46 GMT

I just joined the community forums today and put some bad renter info..(name, contact info). on here....see my other topic. Other old similar topics caught my eye and although I think it's ridiculous that we have to be concerned when sharing the truth about bad renters here, I'm wondering if I should remove my other topic? I have all of my email communication with the bad renters, NSF check form from my bank, dated detailed bills from my caretaker and housekeeper, etc. plus could easily get their testimony as to the dogs and damage at my house, to back up my claim. I even have a picture my caretaker sent me. As I found out too late, there's other negative info about this woman and her business on BBB website and other complaint websites....so why are we so afraid of being charged with libel on these forums? Where and how are we supposed to communicate and share this type info? Renters sure have a lot of options to complain out there; no one seems to be concerned about libel with their reviews or online bashing. Other homeowners on here claim Guestchecker isn't the way to go. Please help enlighten me! Thanks.

Myrtle Beach, SC - Word of Caution

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 16:17:43 GMT

There may be a guest inquery for MB from a Katrina C, from East Point, KY, area code 606. Dates: 06.01.13 - 06.08.13 I would recommend caution in screening or renting to her. She booked with me, we discussed no refund from time of final payment and beyond. Discussed the means of payment was through cashier's check on a specific date. If she went with CC, guest would pay all related charges. Contract signed (stating all of this). I also have a statement that indicates that I strongly recommend traveler's insurance. She signed a contract, of which I have the original. Due date came: I'm having to borrow half of it from my Mom and I'm now having to put it on credit card. And, oh by the way, if I were to cancel say ....30 days in advance ...... I'd get a full refund wouldn't I? Picked out bits and pieces of the contract stating why she was going to change to CC and why I was going to follow. I provided to her the full text that she omitted giving the full picture. She didn't like my email pointing out this information. Well, she dug in her heels, decided she wasn't going to pay the fees, expected me to, and expected the cash discounted price. And, welll. anything can happen to cause a cancellation, I have son's 7 and 3 and you just never know when something's going to happen. And, I do insist on a credit card now. Clang, clang, clang went the mistrust bells. I just wanted her to cancel. She went back and forth for 2-3 days, will I, won't I, will I, won't I? Thank goodness she finally cancelled and I'm rid of her. In my opinion (just an opinion), she doesn't have the funds, at least not for my place. In my opinion, you run a risk of her cancelling at the last minute or doing a chargeback. Good luck!

Scammers Alive and Well

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 01:18:44 GMT

An FYI or reminder. We got an inquiry through VRBO for a month-long reservation from a someone who stated he was from Ukraine. He said he was going to pay by check. Several days later, he sent an email saying that his bank had made a mistake and overpaid and because it would be difficult to go through the bank to get reimbursement for the overpayment, he asked us to refund the difference.

Maybe it's obvious to some that it's a scam. I'm not sure I would have figured it out quickly enough to avoid be scammed. Luckily, I had read something on one of these chat/blogs that made me realize this was a scam.

I wrote to him and told him we were cancelling the reservation and he'd have to get the entire amount back from his bank.

Three weeks later, we just got what looks like a cashier's check from Wells Fargo, but mailed in a pre-printed envelope with foreign lettering. The amount of the check was $1600 more than the monthly reservation would have been. I assume we will be contacted again with a request to refund the difference.

I just wanted to bring it up in case others are new to this process or hadn't been exposed to a scam appoach of this nature before. The scammers are still out there.

Reluctant to send Identification

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:19:48 GMT

I don't know if anyone has experienced this or not, but I get many guests particularly from outside Europe that are very reluctant to send a copy of their passport or any form of identification. I usually ask of the person signing the rental contract to send me a scanned copy of some form of valid ID for security purposes. In actual fact, in Portugal if something were to happen to one of our guests we are legally obliged to have their identification. I am usually not too bothered if I do not receive all the ID's as long as I receive from the person signing the agreement. Recently, I had some Canadians who were very indignant and on the verge of paranoid about sending any information. It took dozens of emails and phone calls to appease them. Then if that were not bad enough they were concerned about making payments cia bank transfer. Apparently Americans, Canadians and Brazilians are used to paying for everything via credit card and are very distrustful of alternative forms of payment. Anybody have any thoughts about this topic?

Eight 18 yr olds want to Rent for a Week HELP!!!!!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:50:57 GMT

So I get an inquiry followed by a phone call from a prospective renter. He is very upfront and honest and discloses immediately his age (age 18) and the ages of the rest of his party (all 18 except for 1 19 yr old) and the number of his party (8 kids in total). After I basically grilled the kid like his mother would asking him every question from why he is coming to the area to if there would be both girls and boys staying, he still wants to rent. He is willing to provide me with anything I ask for and in writing yet I am still hesitant. My home is in a very quiet neighborhood and I have a police officer living across the street ad an elderly man next door.It has always been my policy to have renters who would be quiet enough for the quiet neighborhood. I am so new to this I dont know what to do. I read every article on the homeaway forum site but I think I really need to hear from other owners who have had good and bad experiences with this age group. PLEASE HELP!!!!!