Advice please

[Sherberts]

Hello all. I've booked an apartment in January for 2 weeks in July and have since seen a review from someone who stayed there in April. To say it was negative is an understatement! I emailed her privately and she's gone on to explain a lot more in greater detail about the state of the property. It's managed under a property company rather than direct with the owner so I've contacted them and ask where I stand about having my deposit refunded so I can source alternative accommodation. We are travelling with 2 young children so the review concerns me greatly. Can anyone give me advice on where I stand having my deposit back? I don't want to spend my holiday complaining! Many thanks

 

[Georgiebear]

It's a difficult one, we all like different things and when reading reviews it's the negatives that always stick in our mind and not the positives, sorry don't know the answer to your question but I hope you get it sorted and enjoy your holiday...all I will say is that when we stay in our apartment we are there for sleeping and showering so I don't mind what it's like! Have you tried google it seems to have the answers for everything......

 

[pollensafan]

Hmm, You say you have seen a review, but that would only stack up on how many you have looked at. If you had seen loads and that was the only one then you would have to put that in perspective. As for a refund. I would have thought you would have to have some concrete reason other than a review of the property. One mans meat as it were.

 

[Georgiebear]

Are we allowed to know which apartments? Other people may be able to put your mind at ease....

 

[mike_dublin]

It's a very interesting question.

Couldn't find any specific information googling around and I doubt it's regulated anywhere.

Cancelling your booking based on one(?) very negative review might not be enough of a reason to cancel the booking and get the deposit returned.

Was there any agreement about the deposit being refundable?
The full deposit?
Until what point?


It might well be a good idea to have a common policy for private rentals via the website with the terms clearly outlined?

 

[Sparky]

As the booking was made through an agent i think it would depend on their T&Cs and you will have to sort it out with them, please do not post the name of the apartment on the forum.

You don't say where you read the review but it is odd that it was the only one, maybe the person who wrote it was very fussy or might possibly have an "agenda" with the owner .

 

[Georgiebear]

Why not post the name Sparky? If someone is asking for help surely the only way they will get it is if someone knows and has stayed there...it's the same with restaurants, I've seen a few reviews on here that aren't gleaming and they are named, I know if I wanted help I'd like to know who had stayed there! (Just querying)

 

[Sparky]

It does not appear that the booking was made through this website and the OP was only asking for advice on how to get her deposit back.

We do not encourage accommodation reviews on this forum but if you want to know the name of the apartment please contact Sherberts by PM. Thank you .

 

[mike_dublin]

Still curious about the general approach to (private) rental deposits?

Refundable or not?
If refundable, how long for? (eg time of full payment?)
Can one just cancel the booking until the full payment is due without a reason?

 

[pollensa]

Still curious about the general approach to (private) rental deposits?

Refundable or not?
If refundable, how long for? (eg time of full payment?)
Can one just cancel the booking until the full payment is due without a reason?

I think that you will find it will always depend on the contract/agreement that you have with the owner/agent for the property. However as this appear to be for a property to be rented in July, I doubt that a deposit would be refunded and quite often the full amount is due 6-8 weeks in advance.

 

[Sparky]

I guess each property owner will have their own policy on this one .

 

[Nick]

No expert but I'd also say it depends on their terms and conditions. Just one bad review? It would also depend on the generosity or good will of the company/owners but I can't see any reason as to why you'd be entitled to your money back?

If you didn't get a refund you'd either have to cut your losses and lose your deposit or go and if it was that bad build a case using photographs/video etc. to state your case.

You could Google the circumstances?

 

[varsp]

Seeing as you have booked the apt' through an agent, why not ask if they could "swap" you to another apt' on their books, that may suit your needs better. I have done this previously, it's worth a try, noyhing ventured, nothing gained. Good luck.

 

[mike_dublin]

I guess each property owner will have their own policy on this one .

I think that you will find it will always depend on the contract/agreement that you have with the owner/agent for the property. However as this appear to be for a property to be rented in July, I doubt that a deposit would be refunded and quite often the full amount is due 6-8 weeks in advance.

Thanks, I was just curious as to whether there's a common approach.

I know in this specific case with the rental being for July it would have been a case of too late most likely.

But I would have thought that the booking deposits would be refundable for private rentals until the full payment is due.
Obviously that might not generally be the case.

The rental properties I looked just state the percentage or amount, not the procedure for deposits in case of cancellation.

 

[Sparky]

Some do say "non refundable" so i would assume it doesn't matter how long it is before full payment is due .

 

[clinkham]

I would feel that a deposit is an indication of good faith that a) you will complete the deal and pay the full amount in the future, as agreed, and b) the vendor will hold the booking and deliver the accommodation as described in any advertising medium, on the due date.

If you have an unforeseen problem after the deposit is paid and a contract made, then it's a) tough! or b) negotiate with the vendor.

At the end of the day, a deal is a deal.

Due to illness we had to cancel our visit to PP this year. The Hotel immediately cancelled our booking at no cost. Needless to say we will be re-booking there as soon as Mrs C is given the all clear for travel. What better place for rest and recuperation!

 

[Sherberts]

Thank you all for your advice. Unfortunately there is only one review and it's a bad one :0( I private messaged the person who wrote it and she has since gone on to give more in depth information. This was the first rental of the year I think, so I'm hoping it's 'teething problems' and apparently the owner is going to look into some of the issues at the end of June. How though I do not know as it's fully booked with guests. I've emailed the property agents and am still waiting a reply. I've been coming to PP for just under 20 years and I've never had an issue with accommodation. I guess that's the problem with a bad review - mud sticks!

 

[JMD40]

Reading this with interest as reviews can be great for business but one bad review can be very damaging.
If the booking is with an agent they should be able to answer all the queries about the negatives and hopefully put your mind at rest. One poor review would not make me want to cancel my family holiday. Remember when things are good, people rarely say anything, but when it's bad they tell the world... There are always two sides to the story and these clients may have had one problem and then be o me annoyed and just want revenge. Believe me, I've seen it!
The whole point of a deposit is to secure the booking and so it will rarely be returned, and defiantly not one month prior to your arrival when the final payment presumably is due.
I would write to your agent asking for written confirmation that the issues mentioned by these clients have been addressed.
Have you checked the date of the review, is it defiantly recent? Strange that only one... probably as other people found the property met their expectations.
Shame you are now not looking forward to your holiday, try to be positive, and be sure to let us know how it was.

 

[JMD40]

Actually just reading your last post... the property is fully booked... yet there are no other bad reviews.... you have answered your own question... chill and start to look forward to your stay.

 

[Sherberts]

Thanks JMD40 for a positive reply. Luckily the agent got back to me and assured me that all 'issues' have been resolved and they have had other guests stay with no probs. Feeling much more positive now! Thanks all.