What to Ask Before Renting a Vacation Home

Travel that requires flying by plane still raises concerns, making road trips and driving destinations an attractive option for those seeking a getaway.

While hotels have worked hard to update their cleanliness and security policies, short-term vacation rentals offer a much higher level of privacy and are seeing an increase in demand.

Additionally, with large companies allowing employees to work remotely, long-term vacation rentals have become a viable option for families seeking a more rural lifestyle or wanting to connect with nature.

While some travelers remain concerned about vacation rentals and travel in general, others are gaining confidence as vaccination numbers continue to rise in an effort to achieve herd immunity nationwide.

This is good news for tenants, as increased traveler confidence has led to a general adjustment in the way rental platforms do business, with workable cancellation policies and stricter cleaning and security protocols.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about Tips For Renting a Vacation Home

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Read and understand the cancellation policy

Now is the time to read the fine print carefully. Third-party platforms and independent owners will each have their own policy and are not required to adjust it.

Please check the "cancellation policy transparency on the platform's website and date stamp to see that it is up to date," said Jenny Hsieh, vice president of homes and villas at Marriott International.

If it's unclear, ask the host about their policy and if there are specific reasons for canceling (i.e., they may not be sick, but they may change their mind about the trip).

If a host is unclear or refuses to share your policy, do not rent with them.

Airbnb offers hosts a variety of cancellation options that include everything from its "flexible" option, which offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before check-in, to its "moderate" option, which allows guests to cancel up to five. days without charge before. to check-in, for your "Super Strict 60 Days" option (the strongest of all), where guests must cancel at least 60 days prior to check-in to get just a 50% refund of the nightly rate and rate cleaning, but not the service fee.

Before booking, review your reservation details carefully and note the cancellation option chosen by your host.

Ask about sanitation procedures

Everyone's idea of ​​cleaning is different, so don't assume that the owners depend on you. Decide what makes you feel comfortable and ask for details about your methods.

Therefore, it is best to ask individual hosts how they sanitize between guests.

Before renting, carefully discuss cleaning protocols with your host.

Some homeowners require their cleaning crew to wear masks, gloves, and shoe covers when they're around the house. VRBO recommends checking current reviews to get an idea of house cleaning before booking.

Find out if cleaning supplies are provided.

Although the home has been disinfected between uses, you may want to disinfect yourself upon arrival and during your stay.

Find out if cleaning supplies are provided, and if not, bring your own. Each rental will be different in terms of what they provide.

Most provide dish detergent, hand soap, and in some cases hand sanitizer and washing powder.

But others hope that tenants will bring all the cleaning supplies they will need during their stay, including disinfectant cleaning products, liquid soap, and dishwasher capsules.

Surface cleaner, window cleaner, and bleach are generally not provided on-site or provided in a rented home.

So if you have a favorite product, bring it along with extra cleaning rags, sponges, and paper towels.

Consider requesting a mattress between rentals

Some hosts and landlords automatically provide a one to three-day buffer between tenants to ensure surfaces are no longer infectious, per CDC guidelines.

Airbnb offers hosts the option to adopt a 72-hour buffer period between guests if they cannot commit to the cleaning protocols required by the platform.

However, this is not required, so if you feel more secure, you should request a buffer, although you understand that it may not be granted to you.

Bring your own bedding

While most rentals provide sheets and towels, you may feel more comfortable bringing your own (although the CDC advises that washing sheets and towels in the hottest water possible should kill viruses).

Some renters only provide pillows with covers and mattress protectors, requiring guests to bring their own sheets, towels, and duvets.

Bringing your own bedding will ensure that it is clean without a doubt.

Request a contactless arrival

Ask your host how they plan to give you access to the rental home and request that they have no contact.

For a key entry, ask if the keys can be left somewhere that you can access yourself.

Research local restrictions and plan accordingly

If you are hoping to spend your vacation visiting the sites around your destination, you will want to make sure this is possible for where you are going.

To contain the spread of COVID-19, states and municipalities began restricting the number of people in restaurants (indoor and outdoor), retail stores, parks, beaches, and even public restrooms.

It is up to you to research local laws and keep checking until your trip, as laws can change during the summer.

Most states, counties, and cities have special websites that detail their current pandemic laws, including whether or not they allow short-term rentals and rental policies for out-of-state visitors.

Rental and accommodation services are under no obligation to share this information, so it is your responsibility to ensure that you do not violate the law.

Also, due to different local laws, you can rent a beach house only to find that the beach is only open to residents, ruining your vacation.

Or perhaps the lack of access to public restrooms, trailhead access, amenities, and services will affect your stay.

To avoid disappointment, check what's open and what restrictions exist at your destination. S

tate and national parks around the world have different rules and closures, so check each one carefully.

The same applies to the beaches - you may need to arrive early or reserve parking in advance.

Museums, amusement parks, and other attractions can also limit people. Plan ahead and buy tickets or reserve online well in advance (possibly many months before) of your arrival.

Most states and, in some cases, specific counties can also apply masks in public.

Even if you are traveling to a state where masks are not required, the county or city you are visiting may have different rules, as some states leave the decision to the local government.

Expect any city considered a "tourist destination" to require masks inside businesses or public buildings and in restaurants, except when eating, and follow the rules accordingly.

The local economy in places like mountain and beach destinations depends on visitors, but residents and service providers disapprove of those who don't follow the rules.

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