Private Holiday Home Rental

[FreddieFly]

Good idea or bad?

More info? Are you renting out or hiring one?

Just following on from this really which is about to be deleted

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1452224-Holiday-deposit

Afternoon

Hello all.

We've done it quite a few times abroad without any problems.

On the basis of the other thread, as a potential holidaymaker rather than owner, I now (regrettably) see it as a bad idea and would be very wary in future. Did it for the first time last year and had a fantastic week in Devon but would now seek the protection of a company, unless we go back to the same tried and trusted place with lovely friendly and reasonable owners again.

MrsSnow, I wonder if the owners of any properties you rented checked you out on google street view to see whether or not you'd be a suitable 'guest' prior to accepting your booking?

One of the questions I posed on the earlier thread was whether holiday property owners had the right to discriminate against guests on any grounds (age, sex, race, sexual orientation) given that there have been recent rulings about B&B owners. In the news a B&B refused to accept a homosexual couple and were told that they had to as they were offering a service and therefore could not discriminate. Some owners do discriminate - not taking children, for example, or whatever. We do not discriminate at all but some do. What do others think?

I think discrimination against potential holidaymakers on grounds such as age, sex, race, religion and appearance of their house on Google Streetmaps are all wrong and unbusinesslike.

Wow. Hi all. Google street maps.........one of favourite topics! Along with discrimination, of course (especially against owners)

I'm here too!

Im stalking :)

Discrimation is one of those things which is undoubtedly maybe in the eye of the beholder. I reserve the sole right to choose who I have in my property, and will continue to do so. I think it largely depends how your property is set up, and who you have geared your market to

And which criteria would you use to make your decision then, Freddie?

Um, I think you need to look into the law a little bit Freddie.

I'm not here to win friends, influence people, curry favour or plug my property. I am perfectly aware of the law, thanks. It changes nothing.

I'm still waiting for response from FrenchFancy from previous thread. Clearly plugging VendeeVacances as not requiring a damages deposit. It states quite clearly in their T and C:

?A security deposit is not normally requested, though we reserve the right to require one in certain circumstances.?

Now, that could be construed as blatant discrimination against somebody, but not brave enough to state whom. At least I?m happy to stand up and be counted. My terms are transparent for all to see

I was quite shocked that Guestscan existed, more from the point of view that I hadn't considered that it existed. I only had a quick look but if you are a guest who is listed on there, how would you find out about it and then have a right of reply?

I know it states that it complies with DPA etc and is backed by various tourist boards, just wondered about the mechanics of it.

I'm not bothered about you winning friends either. I would just like to know which criteria you apply to your selection process, please.

BJ, most guests don't know it exists, and I guess from an owners point of view there's no harm in that, not so good from a renters perspective. The thing is, owners have taken a pounding on TA which has grown out of all proportion and outlived its use, from any perspective. Renters use it as a threat, often just to blag a reduction. Bumfluff under the bed? I'll post it on Tripadvisor.

This morning on an owners forum of which I am a member (yup, they've all been watching!) there was a post from an owner, and she'd just had an unwarranted bad review, from a Mickey Mouse. That's how good the system is. Although they notify an owner that it's been posted, it's too late. It can take ages to get it removed

Serendipitous, I'm more than happy to tell you what my criteria is but I prefer you not to take that tone, bearing in mind you actually have no right to know on this forum.

I don't take dogs and I don't take children. Nor do I take single sex groups unless they are gay, or "of a certain age". There is absolutely no way on this sweet earth would I take teenagers unaccompanied, even if the law says they are adults. Nor would I take hen parties or stag parties.

OK?

Freddie just because TA is unfair, doesn't make a guest not being able to a amend an entry on guestscan OK.

The MM thing should not be allowed, how is an owner able to respond to that.

That's lovely, thanks.

I wasn't taking any tone. You're the one that brought it up. If you don't like questions, don't talk about your business on a pubic forum.

Sorry Mum

*public

Why not children, Freddie? We take dogs in one property (rural) and not in the other (city centre) as there would be nowhere to walk them. It is a bit more cleaning but it generates a huge number of bookings from really lovely people. I don't have pets but my experience is that pet owners are usually extra careful and are often the first ones to run the Hoover over the place before they leave.

Don't get the children thing as that is a huge part of the self-catering market so it doesn't make commercial sense. Surely, for every group you exclude you are having to increase your marketing budget and have fewer weeks booked?

BJ no, I guess that's true, but I think you could fight your corner, but you would have to register first to see if you were listed. No different to any reference agancy, if you want to find out about your credit history, you have to pay a fee. They are obliged to tell you of anything they hold on you. In certain circumstances I think they check with the renter, if it's a serious allegation.

SH No, I didn't bring it up, on this thread or "the other one". If I seemed like "mum" you sounded like "teacher"