deposit for apartment rentals

[hedon]

OPINION??

What is up with people suddenly asking for deposits when you want to rent an apartment for a month or more? I have been to DR 12-13 times and I always rent apartments. I pay when I get there with no problems and I leave the place the way I found it. I have used Booking.com and or a local realtor agency I found on line with no advance payment. I no long use AirBnb because the last host seriously lied about the apartment. I had to rent a second Airbnb and fight to get my money back for the first one, but This time I am using Facebook and everyone want deposits. I get the need for security but I also don’t want to send people money and they are no where to be found when I get to DR . Nor do I want to fight to get my deposit back when I leave Scam or legit?

 

[cavok]

many are asking for deposits because of "no shows".

 

[Norberto61]

I have always paid a depost - never been an issue - last winter the guy had asked for a huge deposit - there were issues - the apartment was missing a lot of stuff which I bought - when he came when I left - he did seem to feel the need to make me clean the toaster(it was not dirty) - he also charged me $15 for the broken piece of crap chair that I almost broke my neck in when it broke - anyway he did give me it back less the 15 - he was a prick but I did get it back - the other times have been no trouble at all but in all cases I knew or knew of the rental agent

 

[Buffness]

OPINION??

This time I am using Facebook and everyone want deposits. I get the need for security but I also don’t want to send people money and they are no where to be found when I get to DR . Nor do I want to fight to get my deposit back when I leave Scam or legit?

That part! 👆You just answered your question.

Go with your instincts. Your money, your time. You will be surprised how little recourse you will get and how foolish you will look if your instincts told you not to pay a deposit to a Facebook advertiser... and yet you took the chance, and paid anyway. If anything goes wrong, nobody will care. I have seen people in the DR laugh at the victim for being so naive, saying to each other, 'El va a aprender.'😬

Also, if the renter is asking you to transfer money via one of these Cash Apps, do yourself a favor—don't! People come to my gym every day with stories of not getting their money back.

So, it's simple: in the DR, if you don't have any leverage, keep your money. Your future self will be glad you did. People here , at every level, do not play when it comes to money.✌️

 

[RDKNIGHT]

That part! 👆You just answered your question.

Go with your instincts. Your money, your time. You will be surprised how little recourse you will get and how foolish you will look if your instincts told you not to pay a deposit to a Facebook advertiser... and yet you took the chance, and paid anyway. If anything goes wrong, nobody will care. I have seen people in the DR laugh at the victim for being so naive, saying to each other, 'El va a aprender.'😬

Also, if the renter is asking you to transfer money via one of these Cash Apps, do yourself a favor—don't! People come to my gym every day with stories of not getting their money back.

So, it's simple: in the DR, if you don't have any leverage, keep your money. Your future self will be glad you did. People here , at every level, do not play when it comes to money.✌️

I would never send no money for deposit security or anything they can kiss my a$$, I trust no one here. too many bad experiences.

 

[hedon]

many are asking for deposits because of "no shows".

ok got it

 

[hedon]

I have always paid a depost - never been an issue - last winter the guy had asked for a huge deposit - there were issues - the apartment was missing a lot of stuff which I bought - when he came when I left - he did seem to feel the need to make me clean the toaster(it was not dirty) - he also charged me $15 for the broken piece of crap chair that I almost broke my neck in when it broke - anyway he did give me it back less the 15 - he was a prick but I did get it back - the other times have been no trouble at all but in all cases I knew or knew of the rental agent

Thanks

 

[hedon]

That part! 👆You just answered your question.

Go with your instincts. Your money, your time. You will be surprised how little recourse you will get and how foolish you will look if your instincts told you not to pay a deposit to a Facebook advertiser... and yet you took the chance, and paid anyway. If anything goes wrong, nobody will care. I have seen people in the DR laugh at the victim for being so naive, saying to each other, 'El va a aprender.'😬

Also, if the renter is asking you to transfer money via one of these Cash Apps, do yourself a favor—don't! People come to my gym every day with stories of not getting their money back.

So, it's simple: in the DR, if you don't have any leverage, keep your money. Your future self will be glad you did. People here , at every level, do not play when it comes to money.✌️

Thanks for the advice

 

[hedon]

I would never send no money for deposit security or anything they can kiss my a$$, I trust no one here. too many bad experiences.

I hear you loud and clear!

 

[drstock]

When I rented apartments, I always asked them to send a month's deposit by Paypal/Western Union/bank transfer when they booked. Otherwise, how would I know that I was not turning down other bookings for someone who would not arrive? I would also use this deposit as a damage deposit and 99% of the time I would return it in full when they left. I never had a problem with these arrangements and people accepted them.

 

[melphis]

We don't pay a deposit but we know our landlord quite well. But watching what some renters do to the units where we rent I would definitely charge a damage deposit if I was a landlord.
We are in a very nice we'll sought-after complex but some people sure are disrespectful to other people's stuff.

 

[josh2203]

OPINION??

What is up with people suddenly asking for deposits when you want to rent an apartment for a month or more? I have been to DR 12-13 times and I always rent apartments. I pay when I get there with no problems and I leave the place the way I found it. I have used Booking.com and or a local realtor agency I found on line with no advance payment. I no long use AirBnb because the last host seriously lied about the apartment. I had to rent a second Airbnb and fight to get my money back for the first one, but This time I am using Facebook and everyone want deposits. I get the need for security but I also don’t want to send people money and they are no where to be found when I get to DR . Nor do I want to fight to get my deposit back when I leave Scam or legit?

I'm not entirely sure why people report this kinds of issues with Airbnb? We've used them for a decade already and never had any issues. I mean, we've had a few isolated negative things with the hosts, but Airbnb has always fixed everything and very fast, so with Airbnb as such, nothing but positive experiences.

That's the thing, Airbnb does not require (should not) a deposit as any problems you deal with them directly.

The OP did not go into detail here, but I wonder why Airbnb was not willing to jump in immediately to fix the issue regarding false information? We have once had to change accommodations and as it had nothing to do with us, Airbnb cancelled our previous booking and even paid for the first few nights in the new location.

How I see it is that I feel comfortable with Airbnb as they will deal with any problems, hence no deposits. I would only ever pay deposit or rent without airbnb or similar having first personally seen the property, I might be paranoid though...

 

[Manuel01]

OPINION??

What is up with people suddenly asking for deposits when you want to rent an apartment for a month or more? I have been to DR 12-13 times and I always rent apartments. I pay when I get there with no problems and I leave the place the way I found it. I have used Booking.com and or a local realtor agency I found on line with no advance payment. I no long use AirBnb because the last host seriously lied about the apartment. I had to rent a second Airbnb and fight to get my money back for the first one, but This time I am using Facebook and everyone want deposits. I get the need for security but I also don’t want to send people money and they are no where to be found when I get to DR . Nor do I want to fight to get my deposit back when I leave Scam or legit?

Usually this [places are furnished and the damage that can be done by tenant is huge. I understand this practice.

 

[josh2203]

When I rented apartments, I always asked them to send a month's deposit by Paypal/Western Union/bank transfer when they booked. Otherwise, how would I know that I was not turning down other bookings for someone who would not arrive? I would also use this deposit as a damage deposit and 99% of the time I would return it in full when they left. I never had a problem with these arrangements and people accepted them.

Which platform do you use, is it the mentioned FB? I have never rented anything outside of Airbnb or then personally long-term, so while I obviously know that there are many good landlords out there, I'm a bit paranoid for paying for something outside of any platform/secured place without seeing it first or without getting the keys in return of the payment...

 

[drstock]

I don't rent any more but when I started I used VRBO. After a while I stopped advertising at all and only got rentals by word of mouth recommendations. For people I didn't know, I still asked for a deposit when they booked.

 

[josh2203]

I don't rent any more but when I started I used VRBO. After a while I stopped advertising at all and only got rentals by word of mouth recommendations. For people I didn't know, I still asked for a deposit when they booked.

Thanks for the clarification. So that means that you already had a reputation among these word-of-mouth leads. For me, that changes things drastically is you don't just throw money at someone who advertises on the web... VRBO has secured payment systems as well, as it appears...

Just like with Airbnb, you're able to check the ratings for the hosts, the place and hosts are able to check your history... If anything with the rented location does not match, photos should solve issues? They have with us... And Airbnb conflict management is just excellent, as far as I have seen... Others may have different experiences though...