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Cheap holiday rentals guide discussion

MSE_Jenny
Posts: 1,315 MSE Staff



Hi all, we've written a new Cheap Holiday Rentals guide to help you rent bargain villas, apartments and cottages.
How did you find the info? If you've done it, how did it go and do you have any other tips you'd add? Have you successfully haggled with the owner? Tell us about your best holidays.
Thanks for your help!
MSE Jenny
How did you find the info? If you've done it, how did it go and do you have any other tips you'd add? Have you successfully haggled with the owner? Tell us about your best holidays.
Thanks for your help!
MSE Jenny
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Comments
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I have been using holiday rental companies for almost 40 years in the UK and for the last ten I've used Interhome for rentals overseas. This of course gives you added protection but puts up the price a little, although Interhome prices are very reasonable. I have been back to rentals I've used on packages by booking direct.
Last year I booked a rental in Biarritz which I found on Tripadvisor. We paid a deposit by money transfer to her bank and the rest in cash on arrival. It was fantastic.
This year I found a place in Rome through the same website.
Even though there are only two of us we have found apartments still save money, give you more space and flexibility (hate being cooped up in one room for more than a couple of days) and save moey because you don't need to eat out all the time.0 -
Thank you, Jenny. Very interesting.
I agree with your emphasis on security but it is worth while remembering that one reason why home renters often don't use credit card payment systems is the cost to them.
Also, you may not have noticed but HomeAway/OwnersDirect does a guarantee up to £700 and claims to do their own checking for fraudulent listings.
So that's another form of security.
(I would have put the link in for you to see/check but the site won't allow me to. It's on the Holiday Rentals site in the 'Book direct with confidence' area.)
Not complete cover, perhaps, but they are willing to put some money down to state their own confidence in their listings.0 -
Hi all, we've written a new Cheap Holiday Rentals guide to help you rent bargain villas, apartments and cottages.
It says "snap up five-star private accommodation at two-star hotel prices"
I'd be looking at 0 star places in the first instance.... being able to find those cheaper would be helpful.
5*? Not many people are in the 5* brigade to start with .... nor the 2* bunch.0 -
Thank you for the guide - its a useful summary of how to book villas/apartments
I have been booking villas and apartments for holidays in UK and abroad and trips away (in London for business etc)
I like the independance and extra space you get over a hotel room
When booking I prefer places that have had independant feedback and that offer security in payment. I have asked for references where this is not possible and usually owners can give this.0 -
We enjoy the outdoors, camping mainly, but with the wet weather we've just hired a motorhome, cosy and dry.
One thing to check is whether unlimited mileage and also if they can get you a discount on campsites..
I can't post details of who we used (forum rules I think) but it was a hire company linked to the 'chilterns' not only unlimited mileage but we got over £7 per night off campsite bookings...
Great value for family of four.:j0 -
Only briefly mentioned in the guide, I have had a lot of success using the holidaylettings website. Never tried via trip advisor. The main website provides excellent search facilities so you can find exactly the facilities, location etc you need. Over the last 8 years I've had 5 holidays via them all excellent, all at a price I could not beat elsewhere.
The last one was amazing value for a couple (would be cramped for up to 4 people). Was £400 for two weeks high season (August) in a lovely mountainside villa near the coast north of Malaga Spain, really private with views to die for, yet owners nearby to help. All mod cons including air conditioning, private swimming pool, beautiful garden, internet, Sky TV - even a stable nearby for low cost horse riding and lessons! That was in 2009 though - price has now increased to £275 per week in August. The location and villa were really romantic - not 5* quality but perfect for what we wanted. Including flights and car hire, the 2 weeks that year cost less than £750 for a couple despite being in high season and booking quite late (April).
Oh I have a few times saved money by haggling with owners.0 -
As a member of this site and acting as rental manager for owners abroad for many years, I would say that one of the best ways to confirm a property exist is to Google the property as most have names. You should find adds going back years associated with the owner you are dealing with together with reviews from past holiday makers.
Don't forget the thread of MoneySavers offering discounts to other Money savers members on this site., it's under Home & Play Board
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1680959
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/21516319#Comment_21516319
The only place a Member can legitimately advertise their holiday offers as Just that thread suspends the ‘no ads’ rule.0 -
Thanks for the guide. There are some good tips, especially those in relation to protecting payments.
From experience I have found;
Don't be deterred if owners don't take credit cards. Many don't due to the high charges, cheques and internet banking are the norm. Don't send payments to strangers before clarifying they are genuine.
Discounts - don't expect them for early bookings. Last minute late bookings (2 weeks before) are more likely to be discounted. Look for hard to let booking gaps in the availability calendars as owners may discount these.
When you contact owners be polite, after all you are asking to stay in their home.0 -
We have done rental holidays for many years both in Britain and abroad.
Be flexible if you can on dates even a week either way may be much cheaper.
Try to find at least three properties you would be happy with and
it is often far better to find a bigger villa etc than you need and politely ask if they would give a discount for less people. That way you can usually get far better space and amenities, pool etc. I have always got a good discount. I also always say that we would take care of their lovely home.
If you are going to hire a car it can be a lot cheaper to book somewhere a few miles outside a resort.
Definitely look on google earth, google the property name,or even owners amazing what you can find out.
I also always ask for a telephone number and try to speak to the owners before we book.
.Good luck to all who enter competitions.0 -
I own a villa in Florida two miles from Disney. Be aware that the law in Florida has now changed so anyone who owns any property can rent it out for short stays.
You can get really cheap rates on a "villa" which may look OK and be geniune but the area its in may have a high crime rate or be beside a sewage plant.
I dont give discounts except to regular renters or people wanting more than 14 days. I quote the best price available for those dates.
In the same way renters are looking for bargains I am looking for good renters, people I dont know are a risk.
Based on many years of experience the best tip I can give a renter is make sure you are dealing direct with the owner and not a management company. Any owner who hands over the running of their property to a management company in Florida doesnt care about the state of the property. There are some very bad management companies who treat renters like cattle.0
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