To think this is a bit steep?

[Snatchandjerk]

I have been looking for a late deal in the west country. Rental for next week has been reduced to £500, the following week (when we would like to go) is available but not reduced, still £900.
I was considering whether to ring and see if there might be a reduction for the following week, when I noticed they require a £400 cash deposit on arrival in case of damages etc.
We regularly do cottage holidays and usual practice is a £150 deposit included in the rental for the week, which is returned after the property has been checked.
The owners website also stated passports / ID cards will be checked on arrival and that the deposit would be returned after a 15 minute walk around the property with the owner/agent.
Am I being a tightarse (£400 would be a large chunk of our spending money) or is this a bit steep?

They are obviously trying to price a certain 'type of person' out of being able to rent the cottage and are ensuring that they are covered for any excess/items not covered, on their insurance.

Ive never had to pay a deposit before when hiring a cottage. Maybe I'm not the right sort of clientele for the cottage you're hiring.

My parents rent out their house. They ask for a £100 deposit after the place has been left in an unacceptable condition. In their experience, it's the wealthier people who leave the house in the worst condition.

I'd go somewhere else. I don't like the tone that the owners are setting and I'm sure there are plenty of late vacancies given the awfulness of the weather this summer.

Ive rented cottages, both through agents and direct, before but never had to pay a deposit. Some charge extra for cleaning or breakages after the holiday. £400 seems an awful lot but I think the West Country is quite expensive. Is it through an agent or direct with the owner?

Paying that amount would make me worry that I wasn't going to get it back. I have read threads on here about cottage owners refusing to hand back deposits and claiming that things were damaged or broken when they weren't.

OTOH if the owners are short of lettings, they might be more amenable to offers, eg could you ask them to waive the deposit?

Thanks for your replies.
Pandemoniaa I get what you mean about the tone, I was trying to give the benefit of the doubt and thought that maybe they had been duped before, which was why they were checking id's and requesting the large deposit.
AnnaRack That is my main concern, being a cash deposit would we get it back or would it sink without a trace.

I've rented a lot of cottages in the past, and I've never been asked to pay a returnable deposit. I would not deal with a company that requested that unless I really wanted the property. In that case I would ensure I took photos at the start and end of the holiday period, just to be sure I got the deposit back.

I've rented a cottage this year (our first) & I've given permission for up to £100 to be taken from my card as a 'deposit' should we do any damage.

They sound a bit uptight OP.