December 8, 2022, 2:39 pm | Read time: 6 minutes

A vacation rental is often the best way to enjoy a holiday: These accommodations are not only often cheaper than a hotel room but also more secluded, allowing for privacy. However, if you’re not careful, you can make several mistakes when booking a vacation rental. Here’s an overview.

1. Not Checking the Location

One of the many advantages of vacation rentals is their location outside tourist centers. However, sometimes the apartment is not in an idyllic setting but in an industrial area. So, check the location beforehand (using tools like Google Street View and Google Maps) and see what activities are available nearby–or not. If the exact location is not listed in the ad, ask the landlord. Reviews often provide helpful tips for the stay and the accommodation.

2. Trusting the Provider Blindly

Vacation rental providers naturally aim to present their property in the best light. They may praise the amenities highly, boast about the location–and often tweak photos (see point 3). Our tip to avoid this mistake: Don’t be dazzled and trust the opinions of guests who have already stayed there. If the apartment doesn’t match the description, you’ll likely find this out in other people’s comments.

Additionally, vacation rentals can be rated using a star system: In principle, all vacation rental owners can have their property classified by the German Tourism Association (DTV) (more info at the bottom).

Also interesting: 7 Tips for Renting a Vacation Rental

3. Trusting the Photos

As mentioned before, photos don’t always reflect reality. Often, you’re disappointed at the vacation spot because the accommodation doesn’t look like the pictures online or in the catalog. Therefore, always view photos critically. If only details are shown instead of the entire room, be suspicious: Who knows what the rest looks like?

Often, the house is only shown in close-up–so closely packed neighboring buildings or construction sites are hidden. Google Street View can also help here. It’s also advisable to print out the online photos and bring them along to compare with the real property. If booking through Airbnb, look for the “Airbnb Verified Photo” flag in the upper right corner of the image. This confirms that the accommodation looks as it does in the photos.

Also interesting: My Experience with a Horror Airbnb–and How to Avoid Such Situations

4. Making Too High a Deposit

It’s generally not advisable to pay the full rental price in advance. After all, the vacation rental might not exist or could be unacceptable upon arrival. Therefore, always keep booking documents or proof of offers (newspaper ads or printed web pages) on hand. Deposits typically range from 10 to a maximum of 30 percent of the total rental price.

5. Choosing the Wrong Payment Method

A real warning sign and a major mistake when booking a vacation rental is choosing an insecure payment method. Always use secure payment options like credit cards instead of direct payment methods. PayPal is also a good option–but never choose the “Family and Friends” option, as it voids buyer protection. If landlords try to persuade you to use this option, it’s wise to steer clear of the offer.

6. Forgetting to Sign a Contract

Especially when renting a private vacation home, it’s crucial to remember to sign a contract. Otherwise, you might face significant issues later. The contract should include the exact rental and cancellation terms and list what services are included in the rental price (cleaning fees, breakfast, etc.) and which are not. If the owner doesn’t offer a contract: Ask for one!

7. Moving In Without Checking the Apartment

Even if the accommodation makes a good first impression, you should definitely conduct a thorough check. Is everything really clean? Do the appliances work? Is everything promised actually there? Report any issues to the landlord immediately so they can be fixed or replacements provided quickly. This also increases the chance–if the issue isn’t resolved–of reducing the price afterward. Document issues in writing and take photos.

Also interesting: How to Protect Yourself from Hidden Cameras in Hotels or Airbnb

8. Skipping the Fine Print

This mistake can lead to missing out on some amenities in your vacation rental. Many vacation rentals include unexpected free services. For example, some waterfront properties offer boat use, and many Airbnbs allow use of the washing machine. But if you don’t read the fine print, you might miss these. So, carefully study the descriptions of the accommodations.

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9. Not Paying Attention to What’s Really Included

Some items like bed linens, hairdryers, and towels are often assumed to be included, but they aren’t always. So, clarify beforehand if you need to bring these and possibly other items yourself. Cleaning supplies, dish soap, and toilet paper aren’t always provided but can be quickly purchased at a local supermarket. Conversely, items like high chairs for toddlers or beach toys are often available and don’t need to be brought along.

Also interesting: How Many Towels Per Guest Must a Hotel Provide?

Stars for the Vacation Rental

Owners of vacation rentals can participate in a classification of their property by the German Tourism Association (DTV)–and must meet the minimum criteria set by the association. A minimum of three and a maximum of five stars can be achieved.

*** Three Stars: A three-star accommodation should have a TV with satellite, cable, or DVB-T, as well as an oven or microwave and a hairdryer. The total area of a double bedroom should be at least eight square meters.

**** Four Stars: Here, the sleeping and living areas should be separate, and a stereo system, a full-length mirror, and curtains or another form of room darkening should be available. Each guest should have two towels, and bed linens and a made bed are mandatory. The size of a single bedroom is more than eight square meters.

***** Five Stars: Additionally, a washing machine, a dishwasher in the kitchen, and a safe or another storage option for valuables must be available.

But beware: If the DTV classifies a good vacation rental with stars, landlords can advertise with them for three years before a new quality check by the DTV is required.