To be nervous about renting holiday apartment with huge security deposiit

[rookiemere]

So we're going skiing next year. Found a reasonable enough apartment but now having second thoughts. Firstly got emailed with a huge contract to sign and return - 15 pages of French legal jargon - fair enough but haven't I already got a contract through Holiday Lettings?

Then all the extra charges - sheets, cleaning and wifi make it rather pricier than the initial bargain- but still reasonable.

Then it says in the description that living room has a double bed - but when I asked its actually two single mattresses.

I'd be fine with all of the above its still a lot cheaper than the much nicer looking alternative place we could stay at - except that due to the recent thread about the poster and the 375 euro parasol - I'm feeling somewhat nervous about the 1000 euro deposit.

AIBU to cancel and pay a lot more to go through an official apart hotel or is such a large deposit normal ? Its a really basic ski apartment- I can't imagine anything in the studio costing more than 100 to replace.

Ironically I avoid Airbnb because of their inflexible cancellation policies.
According to holiday Lettings I could cancel this up to a month in advance and get a full refund- but I suspect that's not what the contract says.

I'd rather go to a hotel. You can't possibly agree to a contract like that if it's in another language. Even in your own language it'd be bad enough.

don't do it. trust your gut.

It'll be fine. France is just an overly bureaucratic nation, hence the massive contract.

Don't bother with it, find something else!

Argh so unsure what to do !

Think about it - would you sign a contract in a foreign language at work? You wouldn't, would you? Don't do it for a holiday, either.

Weve regularly done 1000eu deposits, both South and Alps area, and often in cash on arrival! Always got it back except once, when we broke an ornament. Standard 50eu deduction for the breakage, (we did highlight what wed done as it was a lovely apartment) and we werent fussed, though it may have come from a car boot and cost 2eus, we shouldnt have broken it and someone has to go out and replace it.

Thanks caroline it's reassuring to know that amount is standard.so maybe I shouldn't be suspicious.