I made reservations for an apartment in Venice for three weeks next March 2014 through "HousesinVenice.com". They want 20% downpayment now which I paid, and the full amount 21 days before arrival. They also are asking for a 200 Euro refundable cleaning deposit on arrival and to meet at a local transit stop (vaporetto stop)to give me the key. Question: is this the norm? I have not been to Europe since 1984, and Italy since 1971, then it was hotels or pensions along the way. I don't want to find myself on the vaporetto stop in the lurch. Advice.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
We have rented apartments multiple times in Italy, including Venice and never had to full prepay in advance. A deposit of one night's rent is the norm. Also have never paid a cleaning deposit. BUT, since it is a long term rental, maybe a cleaning deposit is a reasonable request. It's the 21 days in advance full payment that would bother me. Try VRBO.com or Homeaway.com, or Booking.com. I am coming to like Booking.com more and more.