Renting Abroad: Top 5 Tips

If the economy has you longing for a dream summer vacation but you can’t imagine yourself paying for several nights at a hotel like you did last year, renting a house or apartment could be an attractive alternative.

We’ve compiled a list of 5 tips to turn you into a savvy vacation home renter

Seek expert help

An experienced professional will be your guide through the home rental process. They will ensure the legitimacy of a listing, assist or provide legal advice and guidance when negotiating the final contract if there is one.

Location
When you begin the search in your preferred destination, it is imperative to find out what sort of neighbourhood you have opted to rent in. Google Maps is a trusted source for photographic views of the property and its surroundings. It can reveal all kinds of interesting details and facts about the property that the listing agent or owner may not ordinarily disclose, like the all-night bar across the street or the beautiful park nearby.
Because you are living there for several weeks, proximity to everyday necessities is also noteworthy. Remember that properties in areas near tourist attractions are usually more crowded, expensive and run low on availability during peak seasons – summer.

Transportation
In line with location, it’s important to consider the transport situation of your proposed vacation home. A gorgeous apartment may be a long walk from the nearest bus, tram or train station. Once again, google maps is a powerful tool which can be used here or simply make adjustments to include the additional transportation fare.

Inspection
Have your agent shortlist a number of properties for you based on a comprehensive brief. Once you have the ideal list be sure to scrutinize the interiors. Study photos provided in each listing. Take time to read the list of amenities to see what is covered by your rent and what is not. Seemingly unimportant things like beddings, towels to crucial facilities like air-conditioning and water are sometimes not covered by rent and you wouldn’t want to be surprised by extra charges on arrival. Looking for details and must haves (having a checklist helps here) can save you disappointment on arrival. Don’t let window dressing seduce you into a holiday of begrudged extra charges for amenities you assumed would be provided.

Duration, Documentation & Contracts
When you pay, when you take up occupancy, initial deposits, safety deposits, who pays for repairs, sales clauses etc. are a few matters which could raise an eyebrow if something were to go wrong before during or after your stay. Be sure to seek professional and legal advice before signing a contract if necessary. Read all fine print and ask questions where things are not clear. Owners and agents have their ends covered, so should you!