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 TripAdvisor 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.
Beware of This Vacation Rental Pitfall
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
ApartmentService.com
At Home Abroad, Inc.
FlipKey
GreatRentals.com
HolidayLettings.co.uk
HomeAway
OnlineVacationRentals.com
Rentalo
Sea2Sky Vacation Rentals
Vacapedia
The Vacation Exchange Network
TripAdvisor
VacationHomeRentals.com
Vacation Rental Network
Villas International
VRBO
Zonder
Destination-Specific
Ali'i Hawaii Rentals: Hawaii
BeachSummerRentals.com: Beach towns in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America
Cabins.com: Cabins, cottages and chalets in the U.S.
Caribbean Way: Upscale Caribbean properties
Castles and Country Houses to Rent: Ireland
ClassicVacationRental.com: Italy, France and England
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
Hosted Villas: Villas in France, Italy, Spain, Scotland, Croatia and Argentina
Italy Unique: Destinations across Italy
NewJerseyShoreVacationRentals.com: New Jersey beach towns
Nice Pebbles: Nice, France
North Tahoe Rental: Lake Tahoe
Paris Pied-a-Terre: Paris and Provence
RentVillas.com: Europe and Caribbean
ResorTime.com: U.S., Canada, Mexico and Caribbean
Summer in Italy: Italy
Villa in Umbria: Umbria, Italy
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-- 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 and HolidayLettings.co.uk.
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 TripAdvisor 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.
Beware of This Vacation Rental PitfallVacation 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
ApartmentService.com
At Home Abroad, Inc.
FlipKey
GreatRentals.com
HolidayLettings.co.uk
HomeAway
OnlineVacationRentals.com
Rentalo
Sea2Sky Vacation Rentals
Vacapedia
The Vacation Exchange Network
TripAdvisor
VacationHomeRentals.com
Vacation Rental Network
Villas International
VRBO
Zonder
Destination-Specific
Ali'i Hawaii Rentals: Hawaii
BeachSummerRentals.com: Beach towns in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America
Cabins.com: Cabins, cottages and chalets in the U.S.
Caribbean Way: Upscale Caribbean properties
Castles and Country Houses to Rent: Ireland
ClassicVacationRental.com: Italy, France and England
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
Hosted Villas: Villas in France, Italy, Spain, Scotland, Croatia and Argentina
Italy Unique: Destinations across Italy
NewJerseyShoreVacationRentals.com: New Jersey beach towns
Nice Pebbles: Nice, France
North Tahoe Rental: Lake Tahoe
Paris Pied-a-Terre: Paris and Provence
RentVillas.com: Europe and Caribbean
ResorTime.com: U.S., Canada, Mexico and Caribbean
Summer in Italy: Italy
Villa in Umbria: Umbria, Italy
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-- 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 and HolidayLettings.co.uk.