Problems with VRBO, Homeaway, etc. ?

Bev, there has been some discussion here with regards to apartment rentals in Paris, perhaps that is what you are referring to? Generally, it has been suggested by some-myself included-that using a good, well reviewed agency for Paris rentals is the best defense against the Paris mayor's so-called crackdown on illegal rentals there. Some of the concerns, for example, are that a neighbor's complaint to the city or owner could cause that apt to be unavailable suddenly; or that the mayor's people have intervened with the owner and required them to stop renting said apt until it conforms to city regulations, which is a very high and expensive bar.

For our first time in Paris we made a deal for an apartment through (don't recall which) Homeaway or VRBO, and the owner was forced to cancel on us due to residents in the building staging a revolt and saying no more! This was two months before our trip, and we stayed in a hotel. We got our deposit back-not everyone does-and were treated very well by the owner, we were lucky.

Again, this is all about Paris, and there may be no issues with rentals elsewhere in France. It's not that Homeaway or VRBO are not good companies, but they won't have much control over unfortunate situations, though I know that one or both have "insurance" for these contingencies, but of course that does not mean you'll get a replacement apartment in time if there's a problem.

Hi, Bev. I, too, have used VRBO and Homeway with good results in the US and in France (other than in Paris). In Paris, the problem with VRBO, AirBnB, Homeaway and other vacation rental "listing" services is that the City of Paris is cracking down on "illegal" rentals. Basically, this is because there is a housing shortage in Paris and the City looks at vacation rentals as potential long term rentals for local residents. There are rules about how long and how often someone can rent out their own home or other owned property on a short term basis. Problems arise when other residents in a building complain to the city about the comings and goings at vacation rentals. The other issue is that individual owners who rent out their properties probably do not pay taxes to the city for this activity. On occasion visitors to Paris have booked a vacation rental well in advance, paid deposits or in full, only to learn a short time before arrival that the rental is no longer available. The reasons given are things like: it has been sold, there are bugs, plumbing problems, etc. The reality is probably that a neighbor complained and the city shut them down.

The reason why it may be safer to rent from an agency (as opposed to a listing service) is that the agency represents owners or owns the properties themselves, and the legitimate ones pay taxes to the city. The good agencies that get good reviews are very professional, provide greeters upon arrival, are very responsive to inquiries, etc. Some that get good reviews are Vacation in Paris, Paris Best Lodge, and Cobblestone Paris Rentals (I have booked through them twice). The best advice is to do your due diligence, carefully read the reviews, thoroughly review the rental contract and all terms, contact the agency with specific questions, and look elsewhere if there are any red flags. I am most comfortable when I can pay with a credit card or through PayPal, but some agencies, Paris Best Lodge for example, do want cash upon arrival, but maybe flexible about payments.

This is the short answer, I hope it helps explain the situation. Good luck.

We had no trouble at all with our 2 vrbo rentals in Italy last summer!

I do always only choose those with multiple positive reviews...

Kim

We left a VRBO apt early because tricky camera shots misrepresented the apartment. Owner was in the States, no one to tend the place, no clean sheets....

I've used VRBO & Homeaway successfully many times. Addressing the rental problem in Paris, we rented a VRBO apartment last October. The owners rented out several different apartments. I recently learned that the apartments are no longer available for rent. I have to assume it has something to do with the rental crackdown. It's unfortunate. I would have happily stayed there again.

We have used VRBO in Italy with no problem. Of course, we communicate thoroughly with the property owner to make sure that we know what to expect and that that apartment fits our needs.

I had very very bad luck with VRBO - Homeaway.
I booked a lovely apt. in Paris - in December and had several email conversations with the owner.
I sent a foreign money transfer for the full weekly amount to an "escrow" account at Barclay Bank in London
and found out 2 days later that VRBO pulled the property - suspicious activity.....
The written instructions for transferring the money were in an email with VRBO-Homeaway letterhead,
and looked very real.....

and when I called VRBO I was told it was a scam and the property did not exist!!! (they admitted that they
do not vet all their properties.)
I thought was out over $3500!!! , but thankfully almost 2 weeks later I was able to get the money back.
Many thanks to Fidelity - and no thanks to VRBO-Homeaway.
This was my first and last experience with them, and would be very very careful in the future is working with
VRBO- Homeaway.
I know many many people have had excellent experiences with them......unfortunately I did not.
Buyer Beware.