Short Term Apartment Rentals for Tourists

More and more tourists are renting short term apartments for their vacations rather than hotel rooms. This can be an excellent way to save money on both food and lodging costs, but only if you are willing to spend time researching and asking questions before putting down a deposit.

Many people begin their search for a short term apartment online. This allows you to assess the costs of a rental and what is available to fit your budget. If you find a short term apartment you like, ask for clear pictures of all the rooms, estimated square footage, and a basic floor plan in addition to pricing and inventory information.

When you get the pictures of a possible short term apartment rental, assess them critically. Keep in mind that the company will send you the best pictures they have. Also ask if this will be the exact apartment you will get when you arrive. Some companies will double book and place one customer in an undesirable set of rooms.

Make sure that you also have an inventory of the contents. Look for items like linens, cooking utensils, and appliances in addition to televisions and telephones. Also ask about the bed configurations and sizes. When you arrive, check an inventory list before signing for the rental.

Find out check in and check out times. If your plane is delayed, ask how you should notify the company. Some landlords will rent your room if they are not notified of a late check in. Also ask about cleaning services during the time you are there. Some short term apartments will have free maid service similar to a hotel, others will not.

Also ask if there will be any additional fees. There may be a cleaning charge after you leave the flat, or a charge to use certain types of payment. In London, VAT may or may not be included. Now is the time to ask about cancellation fees as well. Some short term apartment landlords will not charge you a fee if they can rebook the flat. Others will charge a flat one night fee.

References should also be provided by the landlord and should be checked thoroughly. Ask about any unexpected problems that might have happened during their stay and how the landlord addressed them. Also try to get someone that rented the same short term apartment you will be offered.

If you are planning on staying longer than a few weeks, find out if there are any discounts available for a longer stay. There may also be discounts for different times of the year. Also find out if there is a minimum staying time. Try to avoid going during popular times if you are on a budget. May is a great time to visit most of Europe and get excellent deals.

When you are ready to make a deposit, make sure that you can pay by credit card. Never pay by Western Union, which is almost a sure sign of a scam. Most credit cards should offer you some fraud protection. If your credit card does not offer enough, look into traveler's insurance for up front expenses.

A short term apartment can be excellent lodging for a tourist. Ask questions and talk to the landlord on the phone before booking and trust your instincts. Although most short term apartment landlords are trustworthy, know that if it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.