Apartments that look nothing like the photos, homes much further from the beach than advertised, or even flats that don't exist. These are not frequent situations, but sometimes they happen, and they can ruin that long-planned holiday. Avoiding holiday rental scams is possible if you take some precautions.
Verifications to avoid holiday rental scams
Verifying the landlord's identity is the first check. We must request a 'formal identification'. If the landlord opposes it, be careful. Usually, they don't provide private information in the first conversation. However, if we're to sign a rental agreement, formal identification of the property owner is necessary. In addition, there is always the possibility of requesting a copy of the property deed, a simple note or consulting the Property Registry.
When booking a property through an agency, it is essential to check that it gets made through the website or the official email account. One of the usual practices of scammers is to act through false websites with very similar email addresses and from which they steal sensitive information. Information and money. If in doubt, search the Internet for a contact email or official account on social media, and write to verify that you are talking to the company that it claims to be. If possible, before making any payment. Any company is vulnerable to these fraudulent practices, and in most cases, they don't know that someone is using their name to deceive or mislead people.
Additionally, it is essential to verify the property's location to avoid any misleading. It's as simple as using Google maps.
Tips for paying safely
If all the previous aspects seem in order, make sure to sign a rental agreement before paying anything because it will serve as a legal guarantee.
We recommend not paying the rent until you have arrived at the property and verified everything is in order. If a deposit is required, you must be careful to pay it through reliable channels: bank transfer, credit card, Paypal, etc. It is advisable to check that the bank account is of the same nationality as the landlord and keep all the confirming documents of the operation.
Other important advice
In addition to the precautions mentioned, to avoid holiday rental scams, there are a few other things to keep in mind:
• Be suspicious of great offers. Finding a luxury holiday home for a super low price may be luck, but it probably is just a scam.
• Avoid rushing. If the property owner insists on receiving an amount of money in advance and doing it immediately, be careful.
• Save all the documents: from agreements and invoices to bank receipts, emails, WhatsApp conversations or advertising brochures. If the house doesn't fulfil what got advertised, it will serve as support in the event of a possible complaint.
• Upon arrival at the house, check that everything is in order. If you notice any damage, take photos and send them immediately to the owner. You will avoid dealing with the repair of damage caused by others.
• Finally, if you suffer a scam or the property does not conform to what was agreed, it is essential to report it and prevent others from suffering the same situation.
In short, if you don't want to be a victim of a holiday rental scam: don't rush, ask any doubts you may have, stop the operation in case of any suspicion, and make sure you pay the real property owner through official platforms.
At Spainhouses.net, and applying these simple tips, you will find the ideal holiday rental home to enjoy your holidays and do so with peace of mind and guarantees.