When you pay over a grand to rent a 3 bed house, and you are told one of the beds has "stuff stored on it" how would you react?

[Belleende]

Leave tomorrow for a last minute seaside getaway. Booked a 3 bed house for me dp and 2dds. Owner is very odd, won't do anything over e mail, everything via long and rambly phone calls.
He seemed quite put out when I said I intended to use all the rooms, and has only yesterday mentioned that the top bunk (that my DD has her eye on) is not in action as he has "stuff stored on it".

I have a bad feeling about it, despite it saying child friendly, I don't think he wants small kids there, and I think if I object he could still cancel. But, I am a bit pissed off to not have free choice of what beds to use, especially as I had to pay £60 on top for bedding and towels. Am I being unreasonable?

Eeek, sounds weird!

Err you tell him full house or you want your money back

What sort of stuff?
Sounds odd. I would make sure you photograph all the rooms and stuff when you arrive as well as when you leave so that he can’t say you have taken anything or damaged anything.

Very odd. I'd just move it. Take a pic first.

If it was advertised as 3 bed then you are well within rights to use it as a 3 bed! How weird

I am usually so meticulous when picking a holiday home. Read all the reviews on different sites. This time everything was getting booked up so quickly I had to just book. All the reviews are great, except 2 that cite his strange behavior which I totally recognise. I think I will have to bite my tongue until I get the keys. I don't know what we would do if he cancelled. It just doesn't bare thinking about.

I have already decided to write off the £150 security deposit so I don't spend the week fretting

How odd. Is it usually his house, that he’s renting out to mae some money over the summer?

I accidentally stayed in one like that in Scotland. It was a nice house, but there was stuff everywhere - all the cupboards and drawers were full, nowhere to unpack clothes or store food. So irritating! Im meticulous about checking reviews and photos now.

If most of the reviews are good though, that’s promising?

I don’t think it’s safe to let your child sleep on the bottom bunk with items stored on the top bunk. They could be heavy items, what if it collapses? Or she knocks it and things fall? I would be inclined to say that you expect use of the full house as what you have paid for.

As before take photos and videos copiously as back up. As when you leave.
If you're with a company get them involved if he doesn't give your deposit back.

Hmm this sounds very odd. I’m imagining some filthy, junk filled house with dusty old bedding, creepy old personal pictures on the walls and cobwebs at the windows.
Please come back and update us once you’ve arrived.

No definitely a dedicated holiday home. I too don't really want stuff stored above my daughters head. I won't be in there to supervise, and don't want her to be hurt or damage stuff. She is a 5am riser, and will undoubtedly have a poke around.

I don’t get why you are so worried about him cancelling , id be telling him that he makes the entire house useable or you won’t be going . Totally agree with pp that if there is junk on the top bunk it basically makes them both unusable and why would you want your children sleeping in a room with god knows what crap above their heads .

No the house is spic and span. I will so report back. I have a horrible feeling this could turn into a saga, would be thrilled if it didn't, but bitching about it on mums net would be a bonus.

I am worried he will cancel as I have a hunch he doesn't want small kids in there, he has been quite odd, and there is nothing else available for less than £300 pn along the whole Kent coast. If he cancels, we are stuffed

I would be happy if he cancelled tbh as it sounds a bit strange. If he cancels you get your money back!

I did think that, until I tried to find another place to book, and there are none remotely in budget

Don’t do business with crazy man.

i know you dont want to risk your holiday but i dont think i couold trust him not to accuse you of something or have a messy unusable house then what do you do

I wouldn’t want to take my kids there, he sounds very odd

I'd go. Just move the stuff blocking the bed and move it back when you leave.

I wouldn't go. It all sounds very strange. I don't think I would feel comfortable or safe. The weather is going to be great this week. Stay at home, play in your garden, take some day trips.

Why would he have bunk beds if he didn't want children staying.

This is so bizarre. I'd ask what stuff he was referring to. I know you don't want to cancel your holiday but this sounds so dodgy. This could end up being a headache for you op. Sounds like the build up to something off nightmare holidays on channel 5.

Let me get this straight- you’ve paid a grand to rent a 3 bed house.

Owner then tells you you can’t use top bunk because he has stuff stored there?

That’s mental

What sort of stuff?
Video spy cam? Dead dogs ashes? Home brew??
How mad.

Op of go. He's weird but it's not like he's in there with you. Def check what stuff it is, take a photo and potentially move it. Daughter up at 5 and messing but also dust accumulated on it.

Worse case scenario can the girls share the third room?