⚠️ 6 Vacation Rental Gotchas to Watch For
- Excessive Cleaning Fees: HIGH Cleaning fees of $150-400+ are common and non-refundable. Combined with service fees, a "$100/night" stay can actually cost $200+/night
- Damage Deposit Claims: HIGH Hosts can claim damages up to 14 days after checkout. Vague "damage" claims can result in losing your entire deposit with little recourse
- Strict Cancellation Policies: MEDIUM Many rentals are non-refundable or charge 50% for cancellations within 7-30 days. "Flexible" policies may still have significant penalties
- Hidden House Rules: MEDIUM Strict quiet hours, no guest visitors, mandatory checkout chores (laundry, dishes, trash) may not be obvious until after booking
- No On-Site Support: MEDIUM Unlike hotels, there's no front desk for issues. If something breaks at 2 AM, you may wait hours or days for resolution
- Photos vs. Reality: HIGH Wide-angle lenses and selective photography can make properties appear larger and nicer than reality. Reviews are your best protection
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