Security Deposits

[EMM]

I would like to know how other forum members deal with this.

How much do you take /week/villa/apartment ?

Do you bank the money or hold it until after the final clean ans inspection.

We all try to ensure that we avoid the obvious renters likely to cause damage but can never avoid the risk.

[e-richard]

I simply take 250 pounds with the final installment 8 weeks before start date.
In 99.99% of the cases, I end up returning the entire amount in full within 3-4 days of end of holiday.

Its a reasonable deterrent, and arguably, I should be taking more for a 4 bedroom private Villa.

thats just my 2c worth.

[shanagarry]

Bank the money immediately and before you let them have the final details - as they can stop the cheque.

When we rented we had one incident with a booking for 6 that ended up with 11 staying there. They broke the ceiling fans and tried to make out they were old and broke of their own accord - despite the maid seeing them throwing plastic cricket bats at the fan to see how far they would fly!. Fortunately I had banked the cheque (£500) and got all manner of threats - but it all went away.

We had many good ones but a few who took the proverbial - it simply wasn't worth the hassle.

The cricket bat matter was the catalyst that stopped us renting

[Michael Crane]

Sharen and I have never paid a security deposit, and we have never had to make any payments for damage etc. We treat our holiday 'homes' as our own - with respect and consideration. We appreciate the fact that someone has trusted us with their property and we would never abuse that trust.

[shanagarry]

Michael - you're the exception not the rule.

In 8 years renting we had an incident a year for the first 5 years - not all were catastrophic - some were unfortunate accidents. I can count on the fingers of one hand the people like you who treated our property with complete respect. Something that surprised me initially was the way the people with 'money' behaved - they took the view that given the amount they paid they were entitled to do as they liked. We had damages far in excess of the £500 deposit we took from clients on several occasions - but in the main we always gave it back in full.

I made the mistake of installing a very expensive music system - it lasted 4 months. Good sun loungers - another mistake. A double bed used as a trampoline was split in the middle. A foot-bath broken. A double glazed patio door frame detached from the glass and many more. When I analysed these damages all of the clients responsible had responded to adverts I ran in The Sunday Times.

I always made a point of speaking to people before accepting their bookings - I got some wrong - but many I got right. For the final 3 years we had repeat business and for those people I never asked for a security deposit. It's a lottery and I believe the only way to manage it effectively is to be there when they arrive and leave - regardless of the time of day. There aren't many management companies prepared to do that and that's the weakness in the 'system'.

A 'meet 'n greet' together with a 'safe home' process removes any element of suspicion and doubt and I would advocate the need for a service provider who does just that and hands back the security deposit or deducts the appropriate amount while the clients are present - not by e-mail or phone.

[bruce]

I agree with Michael we treat the villas we have rented with total respect.
I cannot understand anyone damaging someone elses property/belongings and then being reluctant to pay for it!

[shanagarry]

Fortunately - they are in the minority.

In a total of 336 rentals (over 8 years) I had 9 incidents that warranted action and the retention of some or all of the security deposits. Not a huge number but nonetheless very disappointing given the reactions I got when I brought it to their attention.

[EMM]

We have been reasonablyfortunate to date but have noticed I am sure due to the economy that we get more enquiries from groups and even though we have weeded out the obviously single sex younger element even that is no guarentee.
We had one of ladies in their fifties who left our apartment like a pigsty and other family groups who let their kids buy henna tattoos which permanently stain bedding.
We have decided that it is now time to make those who cause the damage and inconvenience to others ( would you like to arrive to find your apartment unavailable for 3 hours because of the extra cleaning needed ) to pay and as Shanagarry says pay well in advance.

If they don,t like it they can go elsewhere.

[shanagarry]

EMM - you make a good point and at a time when money is tight - people will pull all sort of stunts - you need to be on your guard.

Damaged furniture, soiled bed linen/mattresses and household equipment can be made to look serviceable to the untrained eye - only to become apparent or fall apart once the next person attempts to use them. We had an incident with two sun loungers that were held together by 8 long matches bound together and placed strategically to avoid detection - the moment the maid moved them they came apart and were not repairable.

I honestly believe it is essential to have a 'check-out' process while they are still there.

[Sharen Crane]

I honestly believe it is essential to have a 'check-out' process while they are still there.

Not a bad idea! When we were children, and holidays abroad were not the norm, my parents took us to holiday camps such as Pontins and Butlins. There was always a check in and check out process so that damage was recorded both before and after the holiday, and there was no argument.

Michael and I have even been known to buy items that we have found essential, yet missing, for the holiday homes we have stayed in! I am sad to say that items I have left behind have often gone missing or been badly damaged by other guests staying after us! I can never understand the mentality of people who treat other people's property with complete and utter disdain and one does have to question just what their own homes are like!

[AVO]

Hi all,

The security deposits that we hold for the owners vary according to the size of the villa - £150 for 2 bed, £200 for 3 bed and £250 for 4/5 bed. So far 'touch wood'! we have had very few major issues over the past 30 years. The most common is broken umbrellas, when they don't get put away at night and the wind catches them.
The money is taken at the time of the balance being due and is then repaid usually within a day or so of us getting the villa keys back. You need to ensure that the maid/villa management are eagle eyed and let you know the minute there is a problem, as the one issue we have had is where we are not told soon enough and the client then says "it was like that when we arrived".
HTH

[EMM]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

ref umbrellas we learn,t some time ago that it does not really matter how much you spend they will get broken so we allow for these each year. The same with the odd lounger or two ( it does not pay to spend too much on them ).
We also have a lock off we we keep personal items and anything ( ceramics , wine etc ) that we want to keep for ourselves, as friends have found " hiding " things does not work as guests have been known to search through every drawer and cupboard using or consumming anything they find of interest.

We are hoping that our circumstances will be such that at some time in the not too distant future will we not have to rent as whatever precautions you take you are always on borrowed time.