Homeaway - would you pay balance without hearing from "landlord"?

[MarciaBlaine]

Have used Homeaway / Holiday Rentals website for years. Rented many lovely properties and never had a problem. This time, our balance is due and I was surprised not to get a mail like normal. Emailed a couple of questions about arrival times and said I realised I needed to pay. No response. When I look at the ad, nothing has been updated since end of March. Fair enough, they look quite booked up and might not have had further bookings, but I am now nervous to bank transfer a large sum. What to do? The money is due. Wait to hear from them?

Did you try to see if they have a separate homepage for the property? We tried to book and never got a decent response and only after we googled the property and found a contact email it came out that they never received our initial booking request.

I would be cautious if nobody replies to your enquiries.

Also contact Homeaway and see what they think.

No, I did a Google and everything is on Homeaway or Abritel which is the French version. Dug out the contract which has some phone numbers so have sent texts tonight. I must have rented 20 properties or so via Holiday Rentals now Homeaway over the years and never had an issue. The fact our balance is now overdue with no reminder and no reply is worrying. And I booked early to find the best place....

I thought the advice was never to pay by bank transfer

If you can't do it by Paypal or credit card I wouldn't bother

Totally agree AF though I have done bank transfers for years without issue. Always rent from someone who has been a "member" of the site for a several years and has reviews over a period of time. Last year they wanted cash on arrival day - presumably so they didn't have to declare it. I still insisted on paying up front.

What are you going ro do ?

I would be looking for other accomodation, personally