Cyprus Private Holiday Rental

laurielvscombat

Hello,

Looking for any advice really. I have booked for 2 weeks with a UK owner in his apartment in Cyprus, however, recently he has installed an electric meter (which will essentially cost £30 to £35 per week) which was not agreed on the original contract.

He says because he has given details of his website, which says 'please have a look at our other properties' that I should have done and would have seen there that it had been advertised since last year in July that these changes would be happening, however, I crossed every box regarding car rental, welcome pack etc etc and there was nothing about paying extra money for electricity.

He says I have been caught up unfortunately in the administration stage, I told him I had never visited his website and the holiday was booked through his neighbour downstairs, this is my 1st time booking a private rental as I usually book hotels with travel agents as I do not have the time for hassles like these, or hidden costs, could the forum let me know what they think?!

Many many thanks for any replies it is much appreciated!!

PompeyPete

If the agreement you signed didn't mention paying extra for electricity then I don't reckon you should have to pay for it.
Electricity is expensive in Cyprus. So if you do end up paying then make sure you turn the a/c off when you go out for the day.
This link explains why electricity in Cyprus is so expensive:

http://www.cyprusliving.org/phpbb/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?t=32570

ttoli

If He has changed the contract, then you are entitled to a 100% refund.
That said many owners here are installing meters, My latest monthly bill works out at £60, normal house hold appliances and the pool, My neighbours Identical house on holiday let, the average bill is 3-4 times that,(Aircon left on all day) off set that against the rental income (less the 10% Income tax), He's just about breaking even.

HXDave

I told him I had never visited his website and the holiday was booked through his neighbour downstairs,

From the way i see it, your greivance is with his neighbour, and not the apartment owner. In effect, his 'neighbour' has acted like a travel agent, and it would be just like you booking through a travel agent in the UK who failed to give the correct advise.

I would suggest you contact the person that you booked it with, and ask what they are going to do about the fact that they did not advise you of the full facts.

Regards

HXDave

PompeyPete

ttoli wrote: »

My neighbours Identical house on holiday let, the average bill is 3-4 times that,(Aircon left on all day) off set that against the rental income (less the 10% Income tax), He's just about breaking even.

Exactly.
Some people expect a cheap holiday apartment, but don't seem to give a thought when it comes to the expense of electricity. The owner doesn't become aware until they get the shock of a whopping bill.
Don't blame them for installing meters. But they must make it loud and clear on the contract that electricity provision is by pre-payment meter, and the clients responsibility.

HXDave

PompeyPete

But they must make it loud and clear on the contract that electricity provision is by pre-payment meter, and the clients responsibility.

Thats the trouble here - the apartment owner has said that he did on his website. the trouble is, the OP booked the apartment with the apartments owners neighbour, who effectively mis-sold / mis-informed about the meter.

Its just like me booking someone a holiday and forgetting (for example) to tell them that although i have booked the hotel, they have to pay for it when i get there. it is not the hotels's fault that the hotel bill needs paying, it would be my fult for not telling the client it needed paying (in advance of booking, of course). It is the middleman (the apartment ownners neighbour) who is at fault here, and it should be upto him to sort out.

Regards

HXDave

PompeyPete

HXDave wrote: »

It is the middleman (the apartment ownners neighbour) who is at fault here, and it should be upto him to sort out.

The OP has signed and agreed a contract. Even though it was done through a neighbour of the owner the contract will have been between the OP and the owner won't it?
I think the owner should honour the contract, and he should sort it out with his neighbour.