How many times have you booked your ultimate vacation home only to discover that you actually paid more than the amount you initially contracted for? The money you ended up paying was carefully crafted fees, hidden in plain sight that you’re made to overlook until it’s too late. These hidden fees are everywhere in the vacation rental world and you can’t really avoid them unless you know you’re working with the right vacation rental and property management companies.
Understanding Rental Costs in Different Markets
The overall property management world is quite diverse, and so is how transparent they’re willing to be. For instance, when booking standard vacation rentals in Charlotte, how they communicate everything may be entirely different from high-end vacation rental homes in Corolla.
Those fancy units with private pools, game rooms, and breathtaking ocean views bring with them an entirely new set of possible expenses. At the high end of the market, it’s easy to get confused as to what’s included and what’s merely extra you’ll have to pay cash out of pocket. To get clear on the issue, you must learn about two of the most common and confusing hidden fees.
The “Cleaning Fee” Illusion
First of all, let’s look at what’s possible within a single “cleaning charge”. Certainly there’s the direct labor of cleaning up, vacuuming, and bathroom cleaning. However, there may also be the cost of washing all linens and towels and restocking necessities like toilet paper and soap, and sometimes, even some sort of “management” or “inspection” fee for property managers to come take a look at the cleaning being done.
To stay on the safe side, you need to ask the right questions. Don’t just ask if there’s a cleaning fee. Instead, ask if they can provide a specific breakdown of what the cleaning fee includes. This changes the dynamics and lets the company know they’re dealing with an educated renter. A company that’s being honest will be well-armed with an answer. A company that’s being coy may stumble.
The Damage Waiver Paradox
Our second hidden cost is more subtle, and it’s known as the damage waiver fee. The damage waiver is not the same as insurance, and far from being a refundable security deposit. A security deposit is your money that’s being held in escrow and is returned to you if all is well. However, the damage waiver is another up-front fee that you aren’t refunded if you don’t end up breaking something.
The waiver usually just covers situations that are considered “accidental”. If you spill some wine on the rug or scuff a wall while dragging your suitcase, these will be covered. However, if a chair breaks during a crazy party, the property manager might say that’s negligence, not an accident, which means you’d have to pay for the damage.
Endnote
When you want to have the ultimate getaway like you’ve seen in photos, it doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive. The secret to evading high bills is just a matter of asking the right questions. Remember, getting the right vacation rentals and joining in with the best property management company will save you some money and give you an idea of what you’re actually going to pay.
