Section 75 protection for villa rental

oxo_mum

Hi,
I'm renting a villa in USA for our dream family holiday next year and have been advised by friends to pay deposit by credit card to get the extra protection you get with Section 75. The villa is owned by a UK couple who don't take credit cards. To get round this they've suggested I pay the deposit to their USA based property maintenance company by credit card, but I think I still won't be covered as I'm not paying the owners direct. Am I right? What if I paid the management company for the total amount (deposit and balance) - can I then claim against the management compay in case something goes wrong?
Thanks

lisyloo

Why don't you just find another villa via a company that accepts credit cards.

Is there something unique about this one?

dazza.mk

You wouldn't be protected making the management company (at least not by Section 75)

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases

Check section when purchasing through 3rd parties.

thenudeone

If you get the company who is taking the credit card payment (i.e the maintenance company) to confirm that you have a contract with them, and exactly what for, then if the service is not provided for some reason, I suggest that you would have a strong claim under s75.

chattychappy

Yep it comes down to what contract you have with the person to whom you are making payment. s75 joins the CC company to that contract. So you are covered for "that" contract.

dazza.mk

thenudeone wrote: »

If you get the company who is taking the credit card payment (i.e the maintenance company) to confirm that you have a contract with them, and exactly what for, then if the service is not provided for some reason, I suggest that you would have a strong claim under s75.

It would be the same as the Travel Agency concept, the maintenance company will effectively be acting as a booking agency for the villa, as long as they provide the booking they will have fulfilled their part of the contract (as far as Section 75 would be concerned)

You wouldn't be able to make a Section 75 claim due to any failure of the Villa owners as they are outside thee legal relationship between the OP, credit card company & maintenance company in the initial transaction.