About Vacation Renter

Vacation Renter Frequently Asked Questions

“How much do you charge?”

The listing and advertising of your property is 100% free. We only charge a commission for any reservations that we directly produce. This commission varies depending on the particular rental area and any promotions that we may be running. Please contact us via email or phone and we would be happy to discuss the rate at that time.

“Do you guarantee reservations?”

As the old saying goes, “nothing in life is certain except for death and taxes.” While this remains true for our reservation program, Vacation-Renter, Inc will help to guide you towards increasing your rental potential to achieve the maximum result possible. If you are unsure any detail regarding your listing, from the rental description, use of photos, or even general pricing, Vacation-Renter, Inc can help you through the process. Our extensive experience in marketing vacation properties is here for you to use in whatever capacity you need in order for you to achieve success.

“I list my property with many other rental sites. Can I still work with you?”

Absolutely as our program is 100% non-exclusive. Vacation rentals owners can use Vacation-Renter as little or as much as they want with no limitation or regard to other activities.

“Can I cancel with you if I’m not happy?”

Yes, you are welcome to stop using our services whenever you like. However, we ask that any existing, confirmed reservations made through us be honored.

“I use PayPal to collect payment. Can I still do this?"

Yes. Our system was set-up several years ago in the attempt to help those who did not have credit card processing capabilities, know how etc. We have many owners that do not want to bother with the collection of money and its’ inherent liabilities, and then we have some that simply wish to have a tighter control of their cash flow. We are flexible in whatever manner that you feel most comfortable.

“I only want to list certain dates with you. Can I still join?”

Absolutely. In fact, this is the exact scenario that has made Vacation-Renter Inc’s marketing program so popular. Owners/hotel proprietors have complete control over their inventory with us. This is done via your private and secure online owner’s link. You can remove dates at any point, or add them as it becomes necessary. Some owner’s actually choose NOT to have any dates listed and will only add dates as they need. Again it is completely up to you.

"How do you screen the renters?”

Again, because you have control over whatever rental policy you wish to have reflected with your listing, you can basically cover anything and everything that you wish. Guests MUST acknowledge your policy and terms or else a booking cannot be made. Whether it’s a policy against parties, number of guests, or pets - your policy can be as robust as you need it to be in order for you to sleep at night! Then of course, a security deposit can be collected by you the owner, to guard against any violations of the rental policies you have set forth.

“Do you collect damage deposits?”

Vacation-Renter, Inc does not collect any additional funds other than the rental rate, cleaning fees, and taxes. Any security or damage deposits that are required will be advertised with your listing and must be acknowledged by the guest before a booking can be made. This is then collected by you personally in whatever manner suits you the best. Thus you have total control and discretion as to the satisfactory condition of your unit and compliance of your rental policies.

“How do owners collect damage deposits?”

This is up to the individual owner. Some owners simply have guests send a deposit check to them directly before releasing keys and check in instructions, while others require a credit card deposit. PayPal offers individual owners an excellent and inexpensive means to process credit card information. Deposits, damage deposits and other rental policy matters are at the full discretion of vacation rental owners.

"What if you provide the renter but the renter does not pay or wishes to cancel?”

Most owners have a personalized cancellation and payment policy that must be acknowledged before a booking can be made. If you do not have one, our system default is set up to collect 50% at the time of reservation and the remaining 50% 30 days prior to arrival. Cancellations are partially reimbursed only if the unit can be re-rented. This not only ensures that full payment is secured prior to guest arrival, but that you will not have "no shows" or last minute cancellations. But again, we can set up any type of payment/deposit requirements that you wish and that best suit your needs and current business model

“What if you provide a renter but my unit is already booked for that time?”

This is a very, very important feature of our program. Since guests can essentially book in real time, what they perceive to be an available vacation rental, it is imperative that owners ensure their online calendar is accurate. It is a very quick process and takes only 30 to 60 seconds, but a very important one in order to prevent double-bookings and ruining someone’s vacation! All reservations done via our system are therefore deemed confirmed and must be honored.

“How can I gain more exposure on your sites?”

We can place you unit on our homepages as a "Featured Listing". Your commission rate will increase, however your marketing exposure will jump too! Potential guests would be able to view your property details before any others that may pop up in their search.

“How do I get paid?”

Vacation-Renter Inc. operates 2 programs for vacation rental owners. The first and most common program is where we process a guest’s payment for rental rate, cleaning fees & taxes. We then in turn we pay you your rental income, cleaning fees, and taxes to you at the beginning of each month for the previous month’s check-outs. Meaning – if a reservation booked through Vacation-Renter checked out on June 26th, your rental proceeds would be sent to you July 1st. The second program is the reverse. We book a reservation for you, but the guest’s payment is collected directly by you. You are then responsible for processing credit cards and following up with the guest to ensure payments are submitted.

“How do YOU get paid?”

If Vacation-Renter, Inc is collecting payment for you, we will simply deduct our commission from the rental proceeds before sending your monthly check to you. If you are collecting payment we will bill you at the beginning of each month for the previous month’s check-outs.

“How do I know when I get a reservation?”

Notification is instantaneous once a reservation is made by Vacation-Renter, Inc. We use a real time system, meaning all of our information is maintained electronically and is transmitted without delay via email notification. This email will contain the guest’s name, contact information, arrival date and departure dates.

“I change my rates often. Is this a problem?”

Not at all. Pricing can be changed at any time and is immediate.

“What do I do when I receive a reservation?”

When you receive a reservation made by Vacation-Renter, you should treat the reservation process and incoming guest similarly to any other reservations you make on your own. Once you receive an email confirmation that your unit has been booked by Vacation-Renter.com, you will need to contact the incoming guest within 24 hours. To help with this process, we have automated the first contact to the guest. You will receive an email with a link asking you to confirm you were notified of the reservation. This will automatically send the guest your general check-in and contact information. A separate email or phone call will be necessary in order to ensure a smooth line of communication between you and your renter. Remember – this is your business. Treat incoming guests as you would expect to be treated and the rewards will be abundant!

“Who sets my property’s nightly rate, security deposit or cleaning fee prices?”

You do! You are in 100% control of the prices set for your unit. The only thing we require is that the prices set in our system are not set higher then what you are advertising your unit in other places. We don’t want the guest to book one place and feel like they were “gouged” by seeing the same unit for less in another place.

“Can I market different prices for different parts of the year?”

Pricing can be advertised in any way you wish. Large party fees, discounts, holiday rates, and last minute specials – practically anything is possible!

“Do you charge commission on the tax or cleaning fee?”

Absolutely not. We only take a commission on the room rate itself.

“What about my neighborhood, city or building’s Home Owner Association rules regarding vacation rentals?”

As a vacation rental property owner, you are solely responsible for knowing and abiding by your home owner association’s rules and area restrictions. If you are unsure of the governing policies towards short term, vacation type rentals in your area, then you are responsible for finding out. We market properties in multiple countries and markets and simply cannot keep track of every property’s governing rules or regulations.

“My property is subject to HOA rules that prohibit short term stays. Can I just have guests say they are my friends to anyone that asks?”

NO, NO, NO. You cannot ask guests to lie, sneak around or do anything not considered customary with a vacation rental just to avoid your HOA or governing body. If you are worried about your HOA finding out that you are using your property as a vacation rental, then you should reconsider using the unit as such. We will not tolerate any guests being asked to do something subversive or being inconvenienced in any way as a result of an owner trying to avoid dealing with their HOA.

“If I have a reservation with you and I get a better offer, can I cancel the reservation made through you?”

Absolutely not! All reservations done through our system are deemed confirmed and must be honored. Guests make flight arrangements, car rental reservations, business meetings and vacation plans based on having the accommodations you’ve advertised. Any attempt to cancel a reservation and leave a guest without a place to stay will not be tolerated.

“How do you rate property quality?”

After a guest has stayed in a unit, an automated email is generated and sent to them. This email survey asks 5 simple questions regarding the property and the overall experience. These comments are then automatically uploaded along with your listing. Potential guests utilize this function in determining which property is best suited for them.

“I have a virtual tour? Can I load it?”

Yes. Your listing provides for a virtual tour of your property to be loaded

“How do you get the information for my listing?”

If you have a website, we can simply pull this information off of it with your permission. If you do not, we have highly-experienced staff writers that can help guide you through the process.

“Do you come to my property to take photos?”

No. Any photos that are associated with the listing can be emailed directly to us. If you have a website, we can simply pull this information off of it with your permission.

“Do you offer full management services?”

No. Vacation-Renter, Inc is strictly a marketing and reservation service. We do not offer any type of cleaning services or key-exchange programs. Most individual owners choose to Fed-Ex their keys to incoming guests if they do not have an established front desk and cannot personally meet the guest.