Help!!! Private Holiday Rental going wrong!!!

nickmcmechan

Looking for some urgent advice! (sorry post is a little long)


We are going away to Fuerteventura next Saturday for a week. The Holiday is a treat for my Wife for her Birthday.

The big selling point of the property (its a private rental we found on Holiday Lettings) was the Hot Tub and not only does the asvertisement show pictures of this, it is mentioned no less than 6 times.

Yesterday, I recieved an email to say it isn't working and they hope we still have a good holiday. I have written back to say I ws very dissapointed and what could they do. A £25 refund has been offered after we return.

I contacted the couple and have just spoken to one of them. She explained that she is unwilling to give a refund as the circumstances are outside their control, and does not think it will be repaired for us.

I explained that the property is not as described and clearly stated that I expect a refund so I can source alternate accomoation or the hot tub repaired. Both have been refused.

You can see the accomoation on Holiday Lettings, asvert number 16139.

nickmcmechan

The owners have just called back and offered £300 of the £400 we paid as refund?

What should I do?

xmaslolly76

Is that instead of going on holiday or do you still get to use the villa?

nickmcmechan

That's instead of the Holiday

cclarke12

I guess it depends on how important the hot tub is to you. I think the owner has been pretty fair to be honest - they have made you aware of the problem (some would let you arrive and find out it wasn’t working) and offered some money back or a 75% refund if you want to cancel. It is unfortunate that it has broken but these things happen. Personally, I probably wouldn’t bother with the hassle of trying to find something else at this late stage. Presumably you liked the look of the property and it was more than just the availability of a hot tub that made you book. If it were me I would probably go ahead but ask for £50 back as a goodwill gesture (before I travelled), then I’d use the money, have a nice meal and a bottle of wine and forget about the hot tub. As I say, it depends on how much you value a hot tub, so others may disagree with me.

You could try the smalls claim court if the owner is resident in the UK (which I have done against a holiday company which rented something to us in Spain which wasn’t up to scratch –and we won), but I am not sure they would award you the full rental amount based on the hot tub not being available. If they do get difficult you can always threaten to report them to the Spanish/English tax authorities – a huge number of owners on these website aren’t declaring the income from rentals in the UK or abroad and don’t have public liability insurance in place for renting etc. I am speaking as an owner of a Spanish property that quickly realised that you don’t make a lot of money by renting out legally and paying your taxes in both countries (which we do).

hearts

It's a Hot Tub. Live with it, or without as is. ;-) I find it amusing you want to cancel cos they don't have a big bath in the garden ;-)

tommartin59

I really have to say that i think the owners have been very good in bringing it to your attention. They sound like people who would really make a big effort to repair the tub as it is so important to you. Discuss it further with them and see if it is possible to get it fixed - i am sure they dont want to loose Euro 300/400. To be fair to the owners it is impossible for them to get another booking and they have offered a 75% refund. Work with them. If you really feel you need to get another place, take the Euro 300 and have a look at the big websites like :

holidayhomeland.com
holiday-rentals.co.uk
homelidays.com

You will easily find another place at a good price. Most owners on these sites will be very happy to take a late booking and will probably offer a good discount too.

baloo

hearts wrote: »

It's a Hot Tub. Live with it, or without as is. ;-) I find it amusing you want to cancel cos they don't have a big bath in the garden ;-)

Not exactly a helpful post........

I agree with other (more constructive) replies - contact the owners again and explain the importance of the hot tub. After all this is why you perhaps chose this property over a cheaper one. Ask if there's anyway that it could be mended, if not haggle a decent discount off the original price.

itsakidsworld

I fully understand how you feel as it appears you have given some thought into this holiday and how you will be spending your time- a nice glass of wine with the wife in the hot tub in a nice warm country- bliss!!

So now you have a problem which is you are not going to be able to fulfil your fantasy of lazy nights in the hot tub and I would feel the same- sad that my planning at the last minute has found a glitch!

So what now? Well the owners appear to be helping you so that is a good plus and they have offered you a refund which again is fair enough. They have not been able to complete the promise of a hot tub so you have 2 choices at this moment. Take the small refund of cash, have the holiday and book a spa trip(with a hot tub!!) or take the refund agreed and find another property. As for small claims don't waste your time and energy- just come to some agreement, accept it is not what you wanted but make it a great holiday anyway. Surely the wife wont hate you for trying?!!!

Kazipoo

tommartin59 wrote: »

I really have to say that i think the owners have been very good in bringing it to your attention. They sound like people who would really make a big effort to repair the tub as it is so important to you. Discuss it further with them and see if it is possible to get it fixed - i am sure they dont want to loose Euro 300/400. To be fair to the owners it is impossible for them to get another booking and they have offered a 75% refund. Work with them. If you really feel you need to get another place, take the Euro 300 and have a look at the big websites like :

holidayhomeland.com
holiday-rentals.co.uk
homelidays.com

You will easily find another place at a good price. Most owners on these sites will be very happy to take a late booking and will probably offer a good discount too.

Posted 3 times and in all posts you mention the same three websites, which incidentally all belong to the same group of companies :rolleyes:.

tommartin59

Hi Kazipoo

i didnt know that they were owned by the same company. I just happen to personally use them myself and am compfortable recommending them. I have used some others too but didnt want to list too many as i didnt think it would be helpful.

If i have posted it 3 times it is maybe because i am very keen as i am new to this kind of site and i guess when you start on something you overdo it to start out. I didnt mean any offence..... I actually thought i was helping the person ...was i not? Was my answer not useful. I have booked holiday homes on websites for the last 10 years - since holiday-rentals.co.uk first opened........and have had similar problems .....i never go anywhere and was just advising to make the best out of it ...... I was just relaying my opinion and advice......and maybe was helping someone who Urgently needed some objective advice