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Rental Questions

Mjasp

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2005
Messages
366
Reaction score
35
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Sheraton Broadway Plantation
HGVC Elara
I was just looking at the rental boards and I want to know how do you know that the rental is a legal rental and the person renting the unit really has a unit to rent?

I also find it amazing that with Orlando being so flooded with timeshares, I see many people wanting Orlando timeshares, and no Vistana timeshares for rent.
 
I was just looking at the rental boards and I want to know how do you know that the rental is a legal rental and the person renting the unit really has a unit to rent?

I also find it amazing that with Orlando being so flooded with timeshares, I see many people wanting Orlando timeshares, and no Vistana timeshares for rent.

As someone that rents my timeshares I can tell you that your concern is the biggest problem I face

How do I convince the my prospective customer that I am for real..That I really have this time to rent and that Im not just out to steal his money?

Here's what I do: I provide a copy of the reservation that I already have in place in my name and ask for a small deposit. I then put the reservation in the name of my customer and send them the written confirmation on the resort letterhead. I also invite the customer to call the resort to confirm that they are expected. Then and only then do I send the customer my bill via paypal

Sometimes thats not enough...I will do a conference call with the reservations desk; I have sent my deed and maintenance fee bill and receipt to the customer. I also have several past customers that have offered to talk to new customers to describe their experience

If thats not enough I decide that this is a person I dont want as a customer and I rent to someone else
 
Thank you both for your response. :)
 
I also rent a few weeks every year. I have only a few resorts which I have units at. I always provide my cell phone number in my email. Almost everyone who is seriously looking to rent calls me. They ask about the unit, resort and surrounding area. My answers reflect my experiences; almost everyone rents if I have the dates and units size needed unless they want a price lower than my costs.

Talk to the renter; if you feel uncomfortable, don't rent that unit.

Call the resort; confirm the landlord's answers on unit and resort details.

Ask if the landlord to provide proof of reservation or ownership. Most will be happy to email you a MF invoice, deed, or reservation confirmation.

Yes, I have repeat clients.
 
I make more money with repeat clients and referrals than I would make scamming a few people once before word got out.

I suggest that people call the resort and verify that I have a lot of rooms reserved and rent on a weekly basis.

As to how you would be able to verify a new or smaller renter is legit I have no idea.
 
Pay by paypal and use your credit card. Deal with people that have paypal accounts. Deal with people that have a number (5 + at a minimum) transactions.

I don't think paypal would let them use their service if they were ripping people off.
 
The other guy is right whenever you are renting alway's use paypal as payment. This way you alway's have recourse if anything goes wrong. I like the idea of giving a small deposit first then having them change the name on the reservation so you can confirm it with the resort then proceed to pay the invoice. It's not perfect, but most people out there are pretty honest and you will get what you want.
 
PayPal Does Not Provide Protection for Real Estate Transactions.

I wish it were that easy to rent using PayPal. Unfortunately, PayPal only provides protection for a physical, tangible good that can be shipped. Real estate transactions are specifically excluded. While renting may be easier because a buyer thinks they have protection through PayPal, it seems a false sense of security.

I have rented using PayPal because the renter so desired. I certainly received my funds and the buyer received the timeshare unit. But what if they did not? I suggust rental escrow for skeptical renters with sites like Redweek.com. You do have to wait until the rental is complete to receive your funds. I ask the renter to pay the escrow.

I would love to see other suggestions, including protection for the seller if the renter damages the unit and their credit card will not cover damages.
 
Many owners, including me, will not agree to escrow. It forces you to wait until after the rental to get your funds, and if the renter disputes it, you may not get them at all. It provides protection to the renter - but not the owner.

Using a credit card + Paypal is very safe. You can dispute a fraudulent transaction with your credit card - you don't have to have Paypal's permission.

I would love to see other suggestions, including protection for the seller if the renter damages the unit and their credit card will not cover damages.

This is very rare. Every once in awhile the topic comes up, but no one seems to actually have had it happen to them. There is renter liability insurance that you can buy, but at $60 a rental, I think it's too high. Avoid the spring break crowd, and you will eliminate much of the risk.
 
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Rentals

It was with some trepidation that I rented two different weeks in Hawaii from two different people. One with paypal and one without. They both turned out just fine. Fortunately for me I rented them from a reputable webpage, this one. I felt that if I was going to be ripped off, I would have to be the first since I feel the rules here would banish the rip off artists immediately.
 
Renting a time share

I recently rented my week at the Welk Resort in California, which I had listed both on the TUG site and also at RedWeek. Here's how we did it. Upon receiving an email request, I contacted the resort to determine if the week desired was available. Some adjustments were needed, but once we agreed in writing on the dates and how payment was to be made, I made the reservation and emailed her a copy of the confirmation. (you can make up a lease agreement if you want. But we just confirmed the agreement in email correspondence). She then deposited half of the rent into my paypal account, whereupon I completed the resort guest authorization form and submitted it. The resort then sent me an updated confirmation with the renter's name on it, which I forwarded to her, and she confirmed that it was received. Now I will email an invoice for the balance which is due on or before our agreed upon date prior to occupancy.
Hope this helps.
 
Thank You, very interesting and easy
 
This is fine if you have 1 week a year to rent

But you tend to create problems for those of us that rent 100's of weeks per year.
We collect 100% upfront and we offer no cancellation policy. We place the renters name on the confirmation after we are paid.
So if someone rents from you, then next year comes to us, they tend to be confused as to why we don't do it the way you did.

Greg

I recently rented my week at the Welk Resort in California, which I had listed both on the TUG site and also at RedWeek. Here's how we did it. Upon receiving an email request, I contacted the resort to determine if the week desired was available. Some adjustments were needed, but once we agreed in writing on the dates and how payment was to be made, I made the reservation and emailed her a copy of the confirmation. (you can make up a lease agreement if you want. But we just confirmed the agreement in email correspondence). She then deposited half of the rent into my paypal account, whereupon I completed the resort guest authorization form and submitted it. The resort then sent me an updated confirmation with the renter's name on it, which I forwarded to her, and she confirmed that it was received. Now I will email an invoice for the balance which is due on or before our agreed upon date prior to occupancy.
Hope this helps.
 
+1 ... it is incredibly agitating tracking someone down for a payment balance before they check in. (when doing deposit at first).... The biggest annoyance for me are people that are so concerned about being scammed and you allow them to pay a deposit until they confirm their reservation... then they take for ever (if ever) to respond or make final payment... and in few cases, try to get away with not paying the entire amount. :annoyed: And when dealing with 100+ rentals at once... these few ppl are quite the unwanted hassle.
 
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