During the last few weeks of summer, people scour the Internet for last-minute deals on vacation rentals.
The ads are very attractive, beautiful decor and great locations to see at great rates. So how do you know if these listings are too good to be true?
You answer the ad, but the owner says to contact you off site. Everything has to go through the platform and this includes all communications.
Look at the quality of the photos – do they look tampered with? Are they blurry? Does it look consistent with the list itself?
One of the best ways to determine if an ad is legal is to read reviews. It’s the best way to understand if there is a problem with your rental.
Read all the fine print to see what charges might be added to your final bill. For example, cleaning and trash removal. Do not send money directly to the owner.
If there is a problem with the rental, record it with photos and videos to show that what was promised was not provided.
And your review, good or bad, matters to the next renter.