Travel Tips When Reserving a
For Rent By Owner

We like the for rent by owner concept and have rented from many individual owners in the past and while not every experience has been perfect, overall we have had very good experiences. To help avoid unpleasant surprises, we would like to share a few tips to consider when renting from individuals.

Decorating and Furnishings

First, unlike hotels, individually owned condos and homes are decorated and furnished to the owner’s taste. We find most of them to have a homier atmosphere and we enjoy the variety. We also find that the amount of furnishings varies considerably. We’ve always found the furnishings to be adequate, but some have far more than others. This is usually most notable in the kitchen…we’ve found furnishings ranging from just enough to gourmet.

Look at the Pictures

Speaking of decorating taste, check out the pictures on their web sites. See if you like the decorating, furnishing, layout and amenities. While it can tell you a lot, remember pictures can also be outdated.

Cleaning and Cleaning Fees

Another difference between staying at a place for rent by owner and staying in a hotel is there is usually not maid service. The units are cleaned and the bedding and linens changed only between tenants and most places charge a separate one time cleaning fee. Most have laundry facilities available for guests use. You may want to know if they are in unit, down the hall or in another building.

Check the Amenities

Make a prioritized list of the amenities you would like. While things like cable TV, linens and dishes are pretty standard, it’s good to make sure. Some extras we look for include high speed internet, swimming pool, reserved parking and DVD player.

Bringing Pets?

If you plan to bring a pet, check to make sure the unit is pet friendly. Also check on association rules for where pets may be walked. You may also find that a pet fee is required.

Find Out About Any Additional Charges

Find out the total cost. In addition to rent and cleaning fees, find out if there are other charges for things like parking, phone or internet. The state, county and city all require sales tax on rentals of 6 months or less. If you are not being charged tax, the owner has probably not registered to do business.

Talk to the Owner

Call the owner. You can not only get your questions answered quickly, but you can usually get a feel for whether you’d like to do business with them.

Check In and Check Out Procedures

Finally find out about checking in. Some condominium complexes have offices that will handle rentals for their owners and some do not. They also have varying hours. The owner will let you know if you check in at the office or if they have different arrangements to let you in. It’s a good idea to bring the owner’s contact information with you just in case you have a question.

We hope these tips and suggestions help make your for rent by owner experience wonderful.

Return from For Rent By Owner to Budget Accommodations