Help! Where would you look for a villa in Spain online?

[WendyCope]

I can no longer use owners direct, they have been taken over, charge the renters a fee and insist payment is through them and then don't pay us till people have left, the whole thing is a bloody nightmare.

It is my only income, so, I need a solution and it occurred to me it would be an idea to ask on here. I hope that's ok MNHQ.

To be clear, I am in no way advertising my property, it all has to be done officially etc, there are SO many hoops to jump through in Spain these days when renting a property. I am just doing a bit of research and thought people might help me.

What websites do you search when looking for a villa in Spain? If you look for a holiday in Spain!

Thanks so much for any replies.

Thanks again Harolds I will look into this. Myrtle and whiteworld I pm'd you in case you are interested!

Thanks all for your help, it has been very useful and me and DH are looking into all suggestions.

Relying on Spanish and French sites (we get a lot of French clients) currently, but really stuck with the British market, which are our biggest bookers! French leave it to the last minute!

Thanks again all and don't trust owners direct!

I've used Homelidays before - are they the same as Homeaway/Ownersdirect?

Yep! ZaZa They have taken over everything and rip you off, believe me! They add on so much commission which you get charged, you, not the homeowner and don't even pay the homeowners until after you leave the property. It is madness as they provide zero security anyway. They just make money. You are not protected in any way.

They make you think you are though.

Renting directly with the owner saves, literally $$$'s. Obviously, you do have to be careful though. This was exactly what owners direct used to be. Exactly that. It really doesn't seem there is a solution at the moment.

WendyCope just read back through the thread properly & see your villa is near Valencia - it’s one of our favourite places & we visit often so I’d love to see your villa if you could pm me the details please?

What did Rip off Britain say abt booking .com?

Yeah, what happened with Booking.com ? Used them loads of times.

I look at Holiday Lettings (is it no longer part of Trip Advisor?), booking.com, VillaPlus, Sunpool and Homeaway

Not heard of Sunpool AF thanks, I'll have a look. Homeaway is to be avoided, both for you and us.

Is booking.com on rip off Britain? I use them all the time and they have been great, just not a long term renting a villa solution.

In fact, DD and I are going to Benidorm for a couple of days next month to meet yp with family and using booking.com. (It's lovely in winter)

I just wouldn't advertise my place on there as it is 2 week booking min in summer and long term in winter. I tend to think of booking.com as short stays. Again, no idea why.

Before there were so many internet options, I used to buy The Lady magazine () just for the holiday let classified ads. That might still be an option.

Lots and lots of good advice on laymyhat.com There is a forum about who to advertise with and also a forum specific to Spain.

We use do you Spain to book our villas in Spain

ZaZa I got a job in Paris, back in the day, through 'The Lady'

Thanks allintheline I'll check this out. Me and DH can't agree on Airb&B or booking.com etc.

Still no answer and by now we are normally fully booked we'll get there through local sites we use, I'm sure, it was just so easy, simple and great before (lazy) everyone was happy and we'd built up such a good reputation/reviews. Lost all that now.

Thanks Hammer

It's a real shame they've changed it. I've used Owners direct in the past and it was great. Dealt directly with the owner and felt friendly and personal.