Deposit

[quelque]

We have never hired a gite before and I am not sure what the standard procedure for payment is. We have found one that we will be staying in for a month and will be arriving in two weeks. They are requiring the full month's payment up front as well as a 100 deposit. Is this standard? It seems a bit odd to us as we do not know these people. Thank you in advance for any advise or comments.

[Miki]

LAST EDITED ON 01-Mar-04 AT 06:21 PM (GMT)

For British run gtes, yes, that is pretty standard, the 100 probably being the security deposit against damages.

Deposits can range from as low as 10% risng in some cases to 50%.

Final payments can also range from a month before arrival to 2 months before.

Payment is usually required in full, if the date of arrival is within 4-8 weeks.

French law is a little different, in that no more than a 25% deposit is requested and, often it is just 4 weeks before arrival for final payment and some owners even ask it for it on arrival.

Miki

[giles]

...>"Is upfront payment standard?" When did you book? If less than 8 weeks before the start of your tenancy a full payment would not be uncommon for a holiday booking; most agencies would insisit on this. You might have been able to negotiate fortnightly payments on a longer stay, but for a one month I suspect you'd be looking to pay in one lump almost anywhere.
It might depend on whether you are getting an off-season reduced rate for the month, (assuming it is a low season booking) or paying the full weekly amount.

....> "we don't know these people." It works both ways, too! if you failed to turn up the owner might have lost other bookings, and certainly the first week.

.....>100 deposit. This seems quite normal if it is a refundable deposit against breakages. Make sure you are given an inventory and go through it with the owner/agent when you move in.

Giles

[Julie Coote]

LAST EDITED ON 01-Mar-04 AT 08:41 PM (GMT)

Absolutely standard though you should have a booking form with terms and conditions which you are happy with and sign. We ask for 25% deposit on booking and balance +150 for security deposit 8 weeks before arrival - and if the booking is made less than 8 weeks to the date of arrival then whole lot is required at once. how else is an owner to know that he should hold it for you and not offer it to anyone else. As the years go by customers are backing out much more often after saying they wish to book - they have more choice available to them now. The risk to you is that if it's a one month booking and you don't like the place then you are a bit stuck as you've already paid. At this time of year you could probably book and pay for just the 2 weeks and take a risk that they will let the place go to someone else for the second two weeks - you'll be bound to find somewhere else with availability for your second two weeks tho' it might be a hassle changing - take some phone numbers with you but most people will not be fully booked for March /April Julie

[quelque]

Fair enough. Thank you very much for your comments. They all make sense. We have never stayed in a gite and did not know this was standard practice. When you check in a hotel you of course give them your credit card up front, then pay as you check out. So paying a gite owner up front with the deposit does make sense. After receiving your replies we will happily do this straight away. Thank you again