| There are many thousands of vacation rental | | | | have holding tanks or septic tanks, both of which |
| properties available on web sites, through rental | | | | have capacity limits which will place a restriction |
| agencies, and listing sites. Finding the perfect one | | | | on the number of people the property serviced |
| for your vacation can be quite a challenge, and | | | | by the systems can accommodate. These limits |
| sometimes even when you feel you have found | | | | are usually based on headcount so there is no |
| just the right one for your family, there is a good | | | | difference between adults, children or babies. We |
| possibility that someone gets there before you, | | | | often hear rental clients saying, 'they're only |
| and you lose the week you want. | | | | babies, they don't use any water, and they are in |
| Here's a few secrets from vacation rental owners | | | | diapers anyway'. Even though it's quite a long way |
| that may help you find the perfect place, create | | | | in the past, I can still remember that I bathed my |
| a great relationship with the owner, and have the | | | | babies quite regularly, and usually in the bath tub |
| most amazing vacation. | | | | using more water than a shower would take. |
| 1 Remember that you are not reserving a hotel | | | | 4 Before you start e-mailing or telephoning an |
| room. Owners who rent out their homes are real | | | | owner with a long list of questions, please check |
| people who have spent much time and effort on | | | | that the answers are not already shown on a |
| making the place comfortable, ambient and fully | | | | web site or rental listing. Many owners have |
| equipped for their rental clients. A good rental will | | | | comprehensive web sites that provide all the |
| provide you with all the comforts of home, a well | | | | information you need, and although they are |
| decorated environment, entertainment systems, a | | | | happy to answer any additional questions, it is |
| kitchen with everything you need to create family | | | | very helpful to them if you have already read the |
| meals, and comfortable bedrooms. The owners | | | | listing. If the property is very attractive and |
| are likely to be very proud of their home and | | | | popular the owner may be receiving numerous |
| only want to rent to people who will appreciate it. | | | | enquiries every day and may be very selective |
| This means that if you treat them as you might | | | | about who they will rent their property to. |
| a hotel or resort reservationist, they might just | | | | Bombarding them with questions about features |
| turn your request down. From my own | | | | and facilities that are clearly shown on the listing |
| experience, I like to have people in my cottage | | | | may not result in a favourable response. |
| who I think will respect and enjoy the experience | | | | 5 Many vacation rental owners welcome pets; |
| of staying there, so I want friendly renters that I | | | | many do not. Please don't expect an owner of a |
| can chat to on the phone and assess if they are | | | | non-pet-friendly property to accept your |
| right match for my property. | | | | 'adorable, well-trained, hypo-allergenic, |
| 2 When you speak to the owner or agency, don't | | | | Labra-doodle-poo', even if it is crated, kept under |
| be vague about the number of people in your | | | | control at all times, and 'never allowed on furniture |
| rental group. When they ask 'how many people | | | | or beds'. If the owner doesn't like dogs or cats, |
| do you have', don't reply with, ' I'm not sure yet', | | | | you won't change his mind by pleading or asking in |
| or 'we haven't decided how many people will be | | | | a dozen different ways. It would simply be better |
| coming', as this will start alarm bells ringing in the | | | | to either accept you have to put your pet into |
| owner's mind. One of the greatest fears that a | | | | kennels, or find another property. In any case, |
| vacation rental owner has is that they will rent to | | | | wouldn't you prefer to bring your much loved pet |
| a group of people who see the property as a | | | | to a property where he or she is welcomed with |
| 'party house' and invite all of their friends to come | | | | a few dog treats? |
| along and share the accommodation. Be specific | | | | I have owned several vacation properties over |
| about the people who will be in the rental group | | | | the past 20 years and have met many people, |
| and respect the owner's accommodation limits. | | | | some of whom are now good friends. Along the |
| 3 Accommodation limits are usually determined by | | | | way, I've learnt a lot about my rental guests, |
| several factors. Firstly, the owner may simply | | | | what they expect, and how I should provide a |
| decide to set a limit on how many people he will | | | | space that is just right for them. As a responsible |
| accept in the property based on the potential for | | | | owner, I work hard to create that space and |
| wear and tear. This is his choice, and should be | | | | offer good value for money, and in return I |
| respected. So even if the property listing says it | | | | simply look for respect for my property and an |
| has five bedrooms, however the accommodation | | | | appreciation of the special nature of a rental |
| limit is set to six, resist the temptation to argue | | | | vacation. This type of vacation is not right for |
| that since there are beds for at least 10 people, | | | | everyone, and if you are looking for the type of |
| that is how many you will bring, as this will not | | | | sterile, impersonal environment found in many |
| endear you to the owner who may well end of | | | | hotels and resorts, then v not be right for you. |
| the conversation there and then. The second | | | | On the other hand, you may find that once you |
| factor is one that is common to many country | | | | experience vacation rental for your family, you will |
| properties that are not serviced by township | | | | never take any other type of vacation again. |
| septic and drainage systems. These places will | | | | |