First time VRBO rental - questions - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

DeniseM · April 29, 2007, 01:47 AM

I have found a London flat I want to rent in August on www.vrbo.com. The owner wants me to make a bank transfer to her bank in London for the total amount by the end of the week. I'm worried about this, because I will have no recourse if it's a scam.

I asked her to send me proof of her identity, like her license or passport with the number covered. Any other suggestions?

Denise L · April 29, 2007, 11:59 AM

Hi Denise,

Do you have a rental contract? Proof that the flat belongs to her or that she owns that week/month/etc.? A reservation confirmation in your name? Will she consider PayPal?

DeniseM · April 29, 2007, 01:11 PM

Hi Denise - At this time, I don't have anything, except her emails and the Ad on VRBO. This is a privately owned flat, so there won't be a Mgmt. issued confirmation of any kind. I asked her to send me a copy of her DL or passport for ID purposes - we'll see what happens. I also asked her if she would be willing to use escrow, if I paid for it.

I don't know that a contract would be very useful, because if a problem arises, I doubt if it would be worthwhile to try to sue someone in the UK?

camachinist · April 29, 2007, 07:49 PM

A timeshare rental agreement can be adapted for a private flat. If the flat is owned, proof of ownership is usually quite easy. Utility bill/tax bill, etc. <Beware of sublets>

I've rented to UK citizens (Ireland actually) before and had no trouble. I provided them with our Marriott reservation (number blocked) and a professional rental agreement. They overnight the agreement back to me with a check drawn on a US bank in US dollars. Wire transfer would've been fine too, but the former was cheaper for them. No issues. Once their funds cleared, I overnighted them the signed agreement (the landlord typically only signs after the monies have cleared) and full reservation and added their name to the official Marriott reservation.

I would insist on proof of ownership and have a rental agreement in place before wiring any money. The professionalism by which they meet your requests should indicate whether the transaction is worth pursuing. Lots of options in London....

My best advice is to trust your instincts....

Pat

DeniseM · April 29, 2007, 11:51 PM

Thanks for everyone's advice - I haven't heard back from her yet, but she was traveling today.

isisdave · May 1, 2007, 11:04 PM

Are there any reviews or comments on the property's website? If so contact one or two. Don't take this as 100% reliable, nor should you take references from the owner if you are suspicious, as they could all be her or her relatives.

There is always some leap of trust in these things. The point that bothers me is wanting full payment so far in advance. It's still 90 days to the start of August.

Oh, and get the bank's phone number. Call and see if the account specified matches the name given.

hudson1126 · May 1, 2007, 11:40 PM

I often use reverse searches on US addresses for my renters to see if all the info they give me adds up. For example, does the name they give me match the name(s) of the people who live at the address? Does a reverse phone search of the address show that the street and house exists? If you are a registered user of whitepages.com reverse searches are quick.

I've never been scammed, but I do these things anyway to test for "red flags". Also, google everyone who wants to rent or be your landlord. Last year I found out in a few seconds that my renter was a felon, but he paid in full and on time...........and had everything for the rental placed in the wife's name of course.

There is probably a UK equivalent for this kind of fast and easy name/address internet search.

April 29, 2007, 01:47 AM	#1
DeniseM Moderator TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Northern, CA Posts: 14,068 Resorts: Starwood-WKORV, SDO, & SVR, Branson-Roark Vacation Club, Tahoe-Kingsbury Crossing, Kauai Beach Villas - 2 weeks	First time VRBO rental - questions I have found a London flat I want to rent in August on www.vrbo.com. The owner wants me to make a bank transfer to her bank in London for the total amount by the end of the week. I'm worried about this, because I will have no recourse if it's a scam. I asked her to send me proof of her identity, like her license or passport with the number covered. Any other suggestions? __________________ DeniseM "Starwood is hired to administer reservations, clean the toilets, and take out the trash. They are not paid to interfere with owners' usage. They're acting as if they own the place." - Pit

April 29, 2007, 01:11 PM	#3
DeniseM Moderator TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Northern, CA Posts: 14,068 Resorts: Starwood-WKORV, SDO, & SVR, Branson-Roark Vacation Club, Tahoe-Kingsbury Crossing, Kauai Beach Villas - 2 weeks	Hi Denise - At this time, I don't have anything, except her emails and the Ad on VRBO. This is a privately owned flat, so there won't be a Mgmt. issued confirmation of any kind. I asked her to send me a copy of her DL or passport for ID purposes - we'll see what happens. I also asked her if she would be willing to use escrow, if I paid for it. I don't know that a contract would be very useful, because if a problem arises, I doubt if it would be worthwhile to try to sue someone in the UK? __________________ DeniseM "Starwood is hired to administer reservations, clean the toilets, and take out the trash. They are not paid to interfere with owners' usage. They're acting as if they own the place." - Pit Last edited by DeniseM : April 29, 2007 at 11:18 PM.

April 29, 2007, 11:51 PM	#5
DeniseM Moderator TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Northern, CA Posts: 14,068 Resorts: Starwood-WKORV, SDO, & SVR, Branson-Roark Vacation Club, Tahoe-Kingsbury Crossing, Kauai Beach Villas - 2 weeks	Thanks for everyone's advice - I haven't heard back from her yet, but she was traveling today. __________________ DeniseM "Starwood is hired to administer reservations, clean the toilets, and take out the trash. They are not paid to interfere with owners' usage. They're acting as if they own the place." - Pit

May 1, 2007, 11:04 PM	#6
isisdave TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Murrieta CA Posts: 461 Resorts: Marriott Newport Coast, Marriott Waiohai	Are there any reviews or comments on the property's website? If so contact one or two. Don't take this as 100% reliable, nor should you take references from the owner if you are suspicious, as they could all be her or her relatives. There is always some leap of trust in these things. The point that bothers me is wanting full payment so far in advance. It's still 90 days to the start of August. Oh, and get the bank's phone number. Call and see if the account specified matches the name given. Last edited by isisdave : May 1, 2007 at 11:06 PM. Reason: Added idea about phoning bank.

May 1, 2007, 11:40 PM	#7
hudson1126 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 18, 05 Posts: 156 Resorts: Grand Summit Resort Hotel Park Plaza	Simple background checking for red flags I often use reverse searches on US addresses for my renters to see if all the info they give me adds up. For example, does the name they give me match the name(s) of the people who live at the address? Does a reverse phone search of the address show that the street and house exists? If you are a registered user of whitepages.com reverse searches are quick. I've never been scammed, but I do these things anyway to test for "red flags". Also, google everyone who wants to rent or be your landlord. Last year I found out in a few seconds that my renter was a felon, but he paid in full and on time...........and had everything for the rental placed in the wife's name of course. There is probably a UK equivalent for this kind of fast and easy name/address internet search.

April 29, 2007, 11:59 AM	#2
Denise L TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: West Coast Posts: 2,548 Resorts: Hyatt, Disney, Starwood	Hi Denise, Do you have a rental contract? Proof that the flat belongs to her or that she owns that week/month/etc.? A reservation confirmation in your name? Will she consider PayPal?

April 29, 2007, 07:49 PM	#4
camachinist TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Central California Posts: 2,305	A timeshare rental agreement can be adapted for a private flat. If the flat is owned, proof of ownership is usually quite easy. Utility bill/tax bill, etc. <Beware of sublets> I've rented to UK citizens (Ireland actually) before and had no trouble. I provided them with our Marriott reservation (number blocked) and a professional rental agreement. They overnight the agreement back to me with a check drawn on a US bank in US dollars. Wire transfer would've been fine too, but the former was cheaper for them. No issues. Once their funds cleared, I overnighted them the signed agreement (the landlord typically only signs after the monies have cleared) and full reservation and added their name to the official Marriott reservation. I would insist on proof of ownership and have a rental agreement in place before wiring any money. The professionalism by which they meet your requests should indicate whether the transaction is worth pursuing. Lots of options in London.... My best advice is to trust your instincts.... Pat

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