Common Problems With Independently Owned FRBO Vacation Properties

Like with most services on the Internet, vacation properties for rent by owner (FRBO) have become an increasingly popular way for vacationers to plan out their trips—especially independently owned properties. Though these particular vacation rentals appear to be a great option initially, they don’t come without a number of challenges for the renter. If you’ve ever wondered what issues you might experience, here are just a few of the most common drawbacks you’ll want to consider before booking:

1. The rental agreement is unclear or difficult to understand

Unless a vacation property is being operated through a reliable third-party management company or the owner consults with legal professionals, many of the short-term rental agreements you will find in these advertisements are created by the homeowners themselves. Not only does that mean that house rules and instructions might be hard to understand, but also that the renters (and owners) can be left at risk. As FRBO properties become more desirable, there are a number of laws surrounding how these properties can be used, and not all owners are aware of these regulations. In the event you book an independently owned vacation rental, be sure to thoroughly read through the contract before signing on the dotted line.

2. What you see online might not be what you get in real life

Pictures can be deceiving, so you don’t always know if what you see online is what you’ll get in person. These privately owned properties aren’t necessarily held to the same standard of quality and cleanliness as resorts, which means you’re taking a gamble each time you book. If you enter a property and things aren’t what they should be, you have two options: contact the host or contact the platform through which you rented the space. The representatives available through the platform are often dealing with hundreds upon hundreds of calls an hour, so it’s likely you will have to wait to figure out what your next steps should be.

3. Owners can be unresponsive or unhelpful

No matter how much you prepare for a vacation, there are certain aspects you cannot control, one being your independently owned accommodations. In instances where you might be having trouble, notice something isn’t quite right in your rental, have an emergency, or simply have a question about local attractions, your time is in the hands of your host. If the property isn’t operated by its own management team or your host is unresponsive, you will either have to wait or find an alternative solution to your immediate concerns.

4. Amenity options are limited

Independently owned FRBO accommodation options are most commonly homes, apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and single rooms, which don’t come with the same long list of on-site amenities found at resorts. Instead of enjoying multiple features like swimming pools, kid’s clubs, fitness centers, restaurants, bars, and daily activities, you will have to pick and choose the amenities that are most important to your travel group. This can be an extremely difficult decision when traveling with multiple people with different vacation wish-lists.

5. Prices are impacted by seasonal demand and day of check-in

Similar to traditional hotels, FRBO advertisement prices are affected by the season of travel and day of check-in. Additionally, these prices are being set by the owners themselves, which means your budget will have to reflect the market value set by surrounding properties. If you’re hoping to take a trip to a popular destination during a high-demand season for an affordable price, your options are limited and you might have to find alternative plans in order to make the most of your vacation.

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Instead of booking independently owned for rent by owner vacation rentals, consider a timeshare rental for your next trip! These rentals are at some of the most well-respected resorts in the world with a number of on-site amenities, spacious accommodations, helpful concierge services, and well-constructed rental agreements. One of the most attractive features is that these rentals are often priced to cover an owner’s maintenance fee costs and not focused on seasonal demand! If all these reasons weren’t enough, leading platforms like SellMyTimeshareNow.com have extensive timeshare rental inventories at properties all around the world for you to choose from. To learn more about how timeshare rentals work or to speak to one of our independent timeshare experts, please give us a call today at 877-815-4227.