Help in finding the right vacation rental
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve just looked on Google for London vacation rentals and be blown away by the sheer number of companies offering apartments.
As you’ve found there are so many companies to choose from it’s hard to know which one to go with. Let’s face it no one wants to be conned and this advice will help make your choice easier.
Some of the websites look quite good as do the apartment pictures, but as we know looks on the Internet aren’t everything.
What I’m going to do in this guide is give you a little bit of advice to help you decide which company to do business with so that you can find that perfect London vacation rental.
Call them
The first thing you want to do even before looking at the apartments available is to contact a few companies by phone. But before you do this if their phone number begins with 07 or 0871 or 09 do not call it.
These are what we call premium phone numbers and if you call them your phone call will turn out to be very expensive.
The company is trying to make money from you without you knowing. In London we know about these premium numbers, as a visitor, they know you don’t.
If the company doesn’t have a phone number at all and you can only contact them by email. Cross them off your list. The same thing applies to their postal address; if they haven’t got one forget about them.
Check the apartment location
Only once you’ve contacted the company and you feel they are genuine, start to look at their apartments.
When you see one that you like ask them for the full postcode of the apartment. Once you have that you can check its exact location and see how far it is from public transport. Google maps is your best option for this.
Some questions to ask
A reputable company will have a good FAQ section because with vacation rentals there are so many things that you have to know. If they don’t have such a section here are a few of the things you need to know answers to:
The most important question is, what is the total price and are there any additional fees?
Is there a cancellation fee?
What facilities are in the apartment?
Is there maid service or a reception/security desk or a local contact?
Are there instructions for using all the appliances?
If there is an emergency in the apartment is there a help line to contact?
How much do telephone calls cost from the apartment if you have to use the phone?
Is heating included in the cost? Note: if it’s not, don’t go with this company.
How far is the nearest supermarket, ask specifically for one of the main supermarkets. The supermarkets in London are Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Asda and Marks and Spencer.
Make sure you read all the terms especially concerning if the apartment becomes unavailable and you have to have a replacement apartment. Find out before you book where the replacement would be.
How to pay
You should try to only pay by credit card; other forms of payment will not necessarily give you any protection if things go wrong.
Never pay everything up front regardless of how good the apartment seems.
London Hotel Report
Hopefully you have found this useful and if you use this guide coupled with your own questions you should be able to find a nice apartment to rent for your vacation.
If however you need further help you could try our London Hotel Report service. For £9.99 or free when you buy the EPok London Pack, we’ll visit the hotel or apartment that you’re thinking of booking and give you a report on what it’s really like.
That’s it for this article, I hope you found the advice helpful. Also if you wish to get 2 for 1 offers on eating out while you’re in London visit us at epok.com.
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