We want to rent a vacation rental, but owners want cash up front how do we avoid scams?

[janw1973]

We have seen a rental house in Vancouver but the owner wants $4K up front before we arrive. Everything looks good online, but you still worry about being ripped off. Is there anywhere we can check out and verify the owner? Any help would be truly appreciated.

[Landlord]

I rent vacation rentals all of the time and this is standard practice. Large deposit and rent up front. Or credit card.

[Worldly25]

All Vacation rentals are up front the owner should email or snail mail you a lease that you sign and copy. returning the original to him with your check. We rent every summer. This year it is Grand Island

[nojam75]

Verify the home's ownership and owner's address with the local government and require a written agreement for the $4K. That's a significant amount of money, so consider setting-up an escrow account somewhere (I think eBay has links to some online escrow services).

There is always a risk, so if you don't feel comfortable with the deal, then just walk away. The burden falls on the owner to prove to you that they're a legitimate business.

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[Christin K]

Go visit the property!
Or have someone in the area go and visit it for you and report back to you. If the owner really is legit, he will not mind showing the property inside and out to your agent.

[Liz M]

Get the municipal address....and do a title search...this will give the name(s) of the owners.

Never send cash.....this place is propbably a scam. Really look at the pics....does it look real?

You can also do a google earth search, see if the house really looks like it. Ask for more pictures.

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[Brother Otter]

If you can pay with a credit card then if there's a problem you can at least contest the charge. I would be very nervous about someone that will only accept a check or a money order.