Owners direct etc users - are you not anxious in case they run off with your money?

[mrsmoodypants]

I've stayed away from them in the past - but am looking for next year. 3 small kids and would not want a hotel room for all of us! We also need a flexible number of nights ie not 7/14

My worry is booking then them taking your money and you have no holiday? Friends I know paid the deposit, then never heard from the owners again, and had a frantic time trying to find a suitable place, peak season to tie in with their flights. Fortunately they had only paid £100.

I have read that you should read reviews, how long they have been on the website etc.

Does travel insurance cover things like this???

If you book with Owners Direct, they have a basic guarantee that will cover if your money is fraudulently taken.

What we usually do is take with us a list of nearby hotels/apartments to where we are staying, realise it might not be so easy at peak time (we've never had to use this though) and have booked independently about 5/6 holidays.

Occasionally apartments/villa's are through an agency and we've been able to pay by visa, so all covered.

You are right about reading reviews and checking how long they have been on the site.

I always phone rather than just e-mail. Talking to a real person gives me more faith. I also look for properties that take credit card - though not many can - as paying for the rental through your credit card gives you extra protection.

Lots of people are happy to give you contact details for references. Speaking to owners over the phone is always reassuring and I always pick a UK based owner and Google them before booking to make sure they are legitimate.

I rent the same property every summer now, but have never had a bad experience.

Some great tips thank you! Will have another look...

I always view the property on google street view to check it actually exists. I will only book something that has been listed for at least a year and has plenty of reviews.

We have only used them twice but neither owner wanted payment until we arrived. We paid a small deposit both times.

Thanks all - now have to narrow down to where we'd like to go!

I use holiday lettings - its shows you how long the owners have been advertising on the site, so if they have been there a while there is the slimmest chance that something bad will happen.

I advertise my villa on Owners Direct and can fully understand why some people have concerns and reservations. Although initial contact is via the form on Owners Direct, I always provide my email address and contact number and once they decide to book, they get my address and have the choice of paying the deposit to me by bank transfer or by sending to my postal address, that way they know I live where I say I live.