7 Mistakes To Avoid When Booking a Vacation Rental Home

The rise of vacation home rentals is one of the most significant changes to the travel industry in recent decades. If you’ve ever stayed in one, you know the fun of finding a one-of-a-kind stay on your favorite lake, ski resort, or beach — but booking a vacation home isn’t always as simple as booking a hotel room. These are the top mistakes to avoid when booking a vacation rental home.

Losing Out on Location

In the case of vacation homes, the old adage “location, location, location” rings true. Picture this: You pull into the driveway of a beautiful beach rental, but between the property and the beach is a noisy, six-lane highway. You won’t be able to walk right across the street to the beach — instead, you’ll have to walk out of your way to find a crossing. That’s just one example of how not carefully researching the location can make or break your vacation rental experience.

For security reasons, a specific address for the house might not be provided until after booking, so do your best to pinpoint the home’s exact location before being locked in. A listing could be priced lower than others because of a less-than-ideal location. Whether you ask the host, read reviews, or use a map on the booking site, ensure the activities you’re interested in and the services you need are nearby. This is especially important if you are using public transportation or taxis.

Not Using a Trusted Platform

There are dozens of vacation rental websites, so knowing where to begin can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never booked one before. For first-timers, Airbnb boasts the most extensive online inventory of short-term rental homes and is highly user-friendly. Vrbo is another rental mainstay. As the acronym in its name (vacation rental by owner) suggests, the platform only offers vacation rental homes — the owners don’t actively live there. 

Third-party travel sites such as Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Expedia, and Hotels.com also feature vacation rentals (along with hotels) and are generally reliable. However, there are a few places you should avoid using to book a vacation rental. This includes online forums such as Craigslist or Reddit, as well as social media sites such as Facebook, where scams are abundant. Play it safe and use a platform that offers pictures, reviews, a clear cancellation policy, and easy communication with the host.

Getting Your Group Size Wrong

Vacation home rentals are particularly popular among large groups because they are usually more cost-effective than reserving multiple hotel rooms. Plus, you get to spend a lot more time together. However, just because a vacation home advertises that it can sleep a certain number of people doesn’t guarantee it will be comfortable. Faulty pull-out beds, kid-sized bunk beds, thin futons, and other cramped sleeping arrangements have duped many travelers. Make sure you know beforehand how many real beds the property has.

Also, look into how many parking spaces, seats at the dining room table, and bathrooms there are in the home. Adjust your rental choice accordingly based on your group size. Remember, it won’t be as much fun if there isn’t enough space for everyone.

Ignoring the Fine Print

Renting a vacation home is often more complicated than booking a hotel room. Many extra rules and regulations exist because you’re renting someone’s private home. One of the biggest differences is the cancellation policy. Some rentals are nonrefundable, and even some of the best cancellation policies might not offer refunds within 30 days of arrival. 

There are also usually extra fees for rentals that can catch some vacationers off guard. Cleaning fees, additional local taxes, and service fees for booking platforms are a few of the most common charges. For instance, the median cleaning fee for a one-night stay through Airbnb is $75, and there are also state taxes for guests. Some are over 9% in addition to the base nightly cost, which can add up quickly.

Typically, the few standard rules the homeowner or the HOA sets forth include renter age minimums, number of guests, pet policies, smoking policies, and event hosting restrictions. Be aware of these policies, which can incur hefty added charges if violated. Finally, there are often checkout guidelines, such as taking out the trash or resetting the thermostat. When in doubt, be a good houseguest and adhere to the rules, or the host might give you a bad review or charge you an added fee.

Not Reading Reviews

Vacation rental platforms almost always allow prior guests to leave reviews. This is one of the best and fastest ways to answer your questions about the property. Travelers can read feedback about the property’s host, location, and amenities. The reviews will also give you a sense of what groups have been happiest there. Is it more of a family vacation area or a location for young partygoers? Most platforms allow you to sort reviews by “most recent” to get a good idea of how the rental is currently operating. This is helpful if there aren’t sufficient images on the listing or the location seems unclear. 

Overlooking International Regulations

With their widespread availability, vacation home rentals allow travelers to immerse themselves in many different local cultures. A cottage in Norway, an earth dome in Mexico, or a coastal retreat in South Africa is just a few clicks away. But to make your international escape stress-free, know the rules and regulations for short-term rentals in the country you’re visiting. 

For example, in places such as Italy, the host is required to make copies of your passport. As one traveler on TikTok explained, “It’s also required by law for them to register every guest with the city. So don’t worry, they’re not trying to steal your identity.” This is why open communication with the host is essential when traveling internationally. They’ll inform you of any extra fees, paperwork, and regulations you might not be familiar with.

Being Unaware of Amenities

There are a few pitfalls to vacation rentals when it comes to amenities. There is no hotel staff to make you freshly brewed coffee or a breakfast buffet in the mornings, no one to provide clean towels and linens, or park your car — it’s typically up to you. Carefully read through the amenities list on the booking platform so you know what to bring. 

For example, does the rental have a traditional coffee maker or a Keurig? This small question determines what type of coffee you must buy at a local store or bring with you. Another consideration is that some rentals don’t offer complimentary toiletries or may charge extra for towel and linen rentals. Sort out all these things beforehand to enjoy your vacation — and not spend it at the local convenience store buying forgotten items.