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Read the Fine Print
Before making a rental commitment, be sure you understand what it involves. Start looking as far in advance of departure as possible so that you can absorb all the nitty-gritty about terms and rules, physical layout, furnishings, cleaning and repair services (if any), local transportation, proximity to services that you need, financial arrangements and obligations, deposits, liability and property insurance, and whatever other details come to mind. Minimize your risk of unpleasant surprises when you arrive and when it's far too late to back out.
Before committing to a property, you may wish to check sites like FlipKey or Vacation Rentals Watchdog, which offer reviews of rental properties around the world.
Keep in mind that renting a house or apartment is not like booking a hotel room -- it's a binding contract between you and the homeowner. In the event you need to cancel, you may have to do so within a week or even 30 days for a full refund.
 Vacation Rental Web Sites
There are a number of helpful Web sites to consult when looking for your vacation rental. Many sites are just listing agents and do not vouch for the properties, so check what kind of support, if any, you can expect from the site if things don't go as planned.
Worldwide Locations
10KVacations.com
1st Choice Vacation Rentals
A1 Vacations
ApartmentService.com
At Home Abroad, Inc
CyberRentals.com
DestinationVillas.com
FlipKey
GreatFamilyRentals.com
GreatRentals.com
HolidayLettings.co.uk
HomeAway.com
OnlineVacationRentals.com
PickPackGo
Rentalo
Sea2Sky Vacation Rentals
Vacapedia
VacationCompass.com
The Vacation Exchange Network
VacationRentals.com
Vacation Rental Network
Villas International
VRBO.com
Zonder
Destination-Specific
All'i Hawaii Rentals: Hawaii
Cabins.com: Cabins, cottages and chalets in the U.S.
Caribbean Way: Upscale Caribbean properties
Castles and Country Houses to Rent: Ireland
ClassicVacationRental.com: Villas, country houses, apartments and small hotels in many areas of Italy and France, as well as ski chalets in Canada
CoastRentals.com: U.S. beach destinations
Domus International: Rome, Italy
European Escapes: Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria and Switzerland
GetMoreVacations.com: Florida and other select locations in the U.S.
Hilton Head Rentals: Hilton Head, South Carolina
HomesAway: European villas (France, Italy, Spain, Scotland, Croatia)
Italy Unique: Rome, Florence, Venice and Positano
LakeRentals.com: U.S. lakes
Nice Pebbles: Nice, France
North Coast Management: Dominican Republic
North Tahoe Rental: Lake Tahoe
Paris Pied-a-Terre: Paris, France
RentVillas.com: Europe
ResortQuest International: U.S. and Canada
Summer in Italy: Italy
Related Links
Finding Hidden Hotels
The Art of Slow Travel
Is a Vacation Rental Right for You?
Write About Your Latest Trip
Get the Free Independent Traveler Newsletter!
-- written by Genevieve S. Brown; updated by Vicki Flores and Sarah Schlichter
Editor's Note: IndependentTraveler.com is published by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, which also owns FlipKey.com.
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Last Updated: 06/10/09
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