VACATION RENTALS – A guide for seniors – more than you wanted to know!

Condo Maintenance Work in September!

1. Use a reliable rental agent; such as Airbnb.com or VRBO.com.
2. Look at the pictures and read the reviews on the web page.
3. Determine if you can cancel and the penalties.
4. Why are you going to this particular place? Beach? Skiing?  Museums? Family?
5. Read the contract.
6. Take dated cell phone pictures.
7. Look for problems; especially old people problems – stairs, rugs, anything that could lead to a fall. Remember the public lights that guide you may also shine in your bedroom window. Construction may start at 8 in the morning. Remember, a beach condo is probably not designed, or furnished, for old people!
8. Check all light bulbs – enough light to read by.
9. Check, and pitch, food left in refrigerator, or stored.
10. Batteries in tv clickers – take spares – I have had battery problems in the last three places I have rented. And, the battery was always the last thing I checked and in each case, fresh batteries made the clicker work. Usually, but not always, there are buttons on the TV – BUT, old people are addicted to clickers and don’t like to get up and walk over to the TV to change the channel.
11. Locate instructions for all appliances.
12. TVs and electronic devices are probably designed for someone 60 years younger than you. Best to bring a grand-kid with you, if you anticipate TV, computer or cell phone problems.
13. Is there construction work taking place? In Indian Rocks Beach, FL, construction work takes place in September – See photo above.
14. Are there cleaning supplies?
15. Toilet paper, dishwasher soap, laundry soap? The owner, previous tenant, cleaning company all use different brands than you do. Get over it! Adapt!
16. Sheets, towels, dishes, etc.?
17. Parking spaces and car tags?
18. Heating and air conditioning?
19. Name and cell phone number of contact person for problems – ie lock box doesn’t work late at night when you arrive and you can’t figure out how to get in the unit.
20. Deadlines for leaving – ie cleaning crew has to come in.
21. Restaurant  guides – can you walk there?
22. Public transportation, if you need it.
23. Uber or Lyft available?
24. Shopping?
25. Light from glass brick walls, windows without shades, or from public areas?
26. Read the book of comments.
27. Communicate by e-mail so that you have a record.
28. Insurance – damage, illness, death, cancellation for any reason?
29. Seasons – On Florida beaches, September is the time to repair in anticipation of the high season, it is also hurricane season and low season – you probably got a good price, but you may have to put up with closed businesses, construction work, bad weather, air plane cancellations/delays, etc. SPRING BREAK – NOT A TIME FOR OLD PEOPLE  – Think about it!
30. Red Tide or other natural or man-made disasters.  – Have you gone swimming in the ocean since you turned 70? Who is responsible?
31. Why did you pick the place? low season, cost, hurricane, knew the area???
32. What was disclosed?
33. Don’t forget that your i-phone is a flashlight?
34. Is there a library near by? newspapers, computers, books for sale cheap, information on local events, museums, etc.
35. Hospitals, CVS clinics available? – Can your local pharmacy send meds to an out-of-state pharmacy? Old people must have their meds – lack of meds will panic an old person quicker than anything else.
36. What do you do if you can’t make the TV work?
37. Old people tend to make mountains out of mole hills on vacation; instead of adapting and enjoying.

What you can do!

1. Call contact person.
2. Notify VRBO.com or Airbnb.com.
3. E-mail, so that there is a record.
4. Photos
5. IS  THE PERCEIVED PROBLEM WORTH THE EFFORT? YOU DIDN’T COME ON A VACATION TO MOVE TO A NEW UNIT, TO COMPLAIN, OR TO SPEND YOUR TIME RUNNING AROUND. WHY DEAL WITH WHAT IS REALLY NOT A PROBLEM – AND PROBABLY JUST A NUISANCE.
6. You are not here to litigate, but to enjoy yourself.

After three weeks!

THINK OLD!  Especially when you are on vacation.