The Villages FL – I recently read an article about VRBO and problems that a renter had with the website in dealing with a person that they thought was the property owner but were duped into wiring money to someone that didn’t own the property and lost their money.
As part of VRBO’s insurance or guarantee they said they protect prospective renters should something happen where the property was misrepresented and the renter lost their money. VRBO decided not to stand behind the guarantee in this case because of a technicality and the renters were left out in the cold.
Regardless of which website it happened on or the guarantee that some sites offer (never knowing if the company will actually honor the guarantee) renters need to do their homework and make sure they only deal with the property owner of the home they wish to rent. In this case the renters wired money to someone that said they were the owner’s agent, but they were not. The renters only had the person’s email address and never actually were able to get the owner on the phone. They trusted the person at the other end of the email address and did not do any research of their own.
Always make sure that as a renter you check the property owner records for the County that the property is located in to make sure the person you are dealing with is the owner of record. You can double check this by going to the following websites:
Lake County: http://www.lakecopropappr.com/
Sumter County: http://www.sumterpa.com/
Marion County: http://www.pa.marion.fl.us/
Search on the property address and take note of the property owner’s name. Then double check the email address you are sending emails to regarding information on the home. Before paying make sure that you talk with the owner on the phone as well. Never wire money!!! Only make checks payable to the owner of record and do not deal with an agent or friend of the owner.
The County sites above will help you verify the owners address where you will be sending payment as well since most of the property owners will have their primary address listed so they can receive their real estate tax bills.
Always proceed with caution and do your research. If it doesn’t feel right then move on to another rental home, there are plenty in The Villages to choose from.
In this case even though VRBO offered a guarantee, VRBO didn’t honor or stand behind it. VillagesHomes4Rent.Com does not offer a guarantee or insurance to prospective renters. Most rental websites do not offer guarantees or insurance. Remember to proceed with caution and always do your homework to try to limit the risk. Be educated by checking the County websites! Always make payments to the owner of record as listed on the public sites listed above. Do not deal with middle men or agents of the owner. Do not wire money to individuals (you never know where your money is going). Make sure to talk with the owners on the phone as a double check. In this day an age there are no guarantees, all you can do is limit your risk by doing your homework.
Good Luck and Happy Renting!