From AVAT we want the tourist market of holiday homes to be carried out in a safe environment to avoid problems and scams, hence we make the following recommendations:
Be wary of ads where the rental price is unreasonably low.
Check the number of people who have previously rented the property, as well as their comments and opinions.
If you are going to rent a vacation home, it is advisable to check whether the person who claims to be the landlord is really the owner of the apartment or house (for example, by consulting the land registry).
It is not advisable to pay the full amount in advance. If a deposit is required in advance or payment of the full amount, it is advisable to make sure that the property is owned by the person who claims to own it. In your case, always give as little deposit as possible.
Before paying anything, if it is possible to verify in situ that what is offered by the property owner corresponds to reality (surroundings of the property, proximity to the beach, condition of the property, etc.).
It will always be better to pay on the day of entry to the property, with the tenant or his representative present, than to make a bank transfer, the most insecure method of payment being the sending of money remittances to a certain address. It will also be a guarantee that the landlord accepts bank credit cards (banks have greater security measures and can revoke them for a certain period of time).
If the mode of contact with the contracting party is by cell phone, try to save all messages received and sent, as well as the telephone number.
To avoid the possible inclusion of abusive clauses, if you make a written contract, check it carefully before signing it, even facilitating an expert professional to visualize it.
Ask the person making the offer of the apartment to send you a contract commitment or any other document that proves the rental commitment.
If you process the rental management with a real estate agency, if possible, always choose the one that is adhered to the Arbitration System of Consumption.
It is always recommended not to send the keys by mail or courier, but that someone is in the apartment itself to deliver them to the user.
The lessor cannot be charged for water supply, electricity or garbage collection, since these expenses are to be paid by the owner of the apartment.
It is always advisable to keep all kinds of invoices, advertising brochures, contract and other documentation, in case it is necessary to provide them in a hypothetical claim or complaint.
