5 Things You Should Know Before You Rent a Villa

Short-term holiday rentals are a popular alternative to hotels. They are often cheaper for larger parties, more spacious, and offer better privacy. The rise of Airbnb can be partly attributed to the popularity of holiday rental properties.

However, there are a lot of horror stories from Airbnb and other holiday rentals. Most of them are from deceptive advertising and false assumptions. That is why it is important to clarify a few pointers before going ahead and signing the lease. Here are a few things you should know before you rent any villa for your next trip.

Location, Location, Location

One of the most important things about any property is its location. Check Google maps to see if it’s adjacent to undesirable areas. Find out if you are within walking distance of restaurants, convenience stores, and transportation hubs. The more information you have on the location, the better you can prepare yourself for any event.

Your activities should also be accessible from your villa. It doesn’t make sense to rent a property two hours away from the beach. Make sure that it is close to tourist spots as well if you still want to feel a sense of proximity. For instance, if you are looking at Turks and Caicos rentals you will want to look into where these rentals are based and plan from there.

Clarify Bad Reviews

There will always be bad reviews. Some people are just never satisfied. Check local review websites for Crete Villas to see what kind of feedback there is on the property. Little things such as Check-out schedules, Sanitation, Critters, and other bad reviews will need clarification before committing to a lease.

It’s also important to check if the landlord is responsive to your inquiries. This is an important sign that will give you a glimpse of how you will be treated during your stay.

Property Management

The main difference between a hotel and a holiday villa is customer service. Most hotels have someone available to resolve your problems with just a phone call. Private villas are privately managed. They do not have a set of world-class standards on how to take care of their tenants. Some Crete villas can be found through a villa company, meaning that there will be more in place that will help keep customers happy, in order to maintain a good reputation for their company.

This is why it is important to know how to contact property managers. A lot of villas have owners and managers residing within walking distance of the property. It doesn’t mean that they are available all the time. Ensure that there is always someone ready to take your call in emergencies.

Hidden and Miscellaneous Fees

There are times when the tenant gets charged for cleaning services, utilities, service charge, and a dozen other things that are not defined in the contract. At times, landlords automatically subtract them from the security deposit and claim it’s in the policy. There is normally a vague clause in the contract regarding this issue.

Make sure to clarify any hidden fees included in the rental and an itemized list of other charges that will be included when you check out. There should also be a cancellation and refund policy in case the villa did not meet your expectations.

Internet and Data reception

Modern vacation properties should have a strong Wi-Fi connection. Communication with the outside world is essential for your safety or if you have work obligations. It is also important for Social Media updates.

There are remote places in Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America that have weak internet reception. There is no way around this, but it pays to know what kind of access you will have once you are there.

Conclusion

Renting the right villa will influence how fun and relaxing your holiday is going to be. Make sure that you do your due diligence and follow the tips in this article if you don’t want to end up with an unpleasant surprise.