What are Vacation Rentals?
Vacation rentals are properties rented by tourists during their vacations. Vacation rentals offer tourists options besides hotels. These rentals are fully furnished and consist of condos, villas, houses and apartments.

Initially, Europe and Canada were the only areas well known for vacation rentals, but now, they have caught on in the rest of the world. The spread of vacation rentals around the world has created different reactions by different governments. Barcelona has worked to slow the spread of vacation rentals by enacting legislation that puts limitations on the rentals. This was done in order to protect the hotel industry. In other locations, though, vacation rentals have been welcomed. England, Ireland, France and Spain have worked to help the vacation rental industry thrive. These locations have government certifications and programs in place to boost the industry.

The fully furnished accommodations guests receive with vacation rentals can be treated much like a hotel in the sense they are reserved for a predetermined length of time. Guests can rent by the night, or in some cases, must rent for an entire week. These properties are not up for sale. Renters will not have the option to buy if they are staying in a genuine vacation rental property.

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Benefits and Drawbacks of Vacation Rentals
One of the main benefits of vacation rentals is price, as it is usually more affordable to stay in a rental than in a hotel room. Guests also do not have to worry about tipping the staff, taxes or service charges. The additional space available in a vacation rental is also a benefit. Guests are able to take advantage of full kitchens and living areas in a rental. Location is another benefit, as travelers are often in the middle of neighborhoods, which means they can experience the lifestyles of people in the area.

Some people view the lack of onsite staff as a drawback of staying at a vacation rental. When vacationers stay at a hotel the staff is there to help them, but at a vacation rental they actually have to call the property manager or owner in order to resolve any issues that arise. This can lead to communication problems.

Another perceived drawback has to do with brand recognition. People know the brands of hotels and what to expect when they stay with them, but there is more mystery associated with vacation rentals. The cleanliness of vacation rentals is also a worrisome subject for some people.

Most of these problems are avoided by the rental management company. Many management companies have been able to offer the same amenities guests would receive at a hotel. When people stay at a vacation rental, they often receive front desk check in, housekeeping, a concierge service and 24 hour maintenance. In addition, guests receive more space in a rental than they would in a hotel.

Many vacationers feel the benefits of vacation rentals are much greater than the drawbacks. With benefits such as additional space, fully equipped kitchens, prime locations and privacy, guests feel they receive more from a rental than a hotel. In recent years, the benefits of vacation rentals have propelled the industry to record numbers. In 2006, it was a $10 billion industry, and it is continuing to grow as more geographic locations turn to vacation rentals.

There are lots of different property types that make up vacation rentals. Travelers can stay in an affordable studio apartment or a private and luxurious villa. Those who choose upscale vacation rentals will receive additional amenities. These amenities often include an onsite staff, chef, private beaches and lots of activities that are close to the rental.

In the United States, vacation rentals are available for rent in most states, although they are most prominent in tourist locations such as California, Florida and Hawaii. The vacation rental industry in the United States is steadily growing. Still, it is quite a bit behind Europe. The European vacation rental industry has long been a leader, as European travelers have long frequented vacation rentals.

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Property Management Companies
Property owners can sign over the management duties for their property to vacation rental management companies. Once the contract is signed, the management company is responsible for a large number of management duties. Marketing is one task the management companies take over for owners. Companies obtain photographs of the property as well as gather important information to supply potential renters with. They also provide guests with necessary information so they can get the most out of their stay.

Management companies book the rentals for the owners and take care of all of the billing. They check guests in, maintain the property and handle the housekeeping duties as well. Many management companies take on a large number of vacation rental properties. The largest rental management company in the United States has almost 17,000 properties. Rental management companies are well equipped to manage rental properties and often offer guests more than they could receive if they booked directly with the owner of the property. Management companies often have a full staff, a maintenance staff and housekeepers. In addition, they have quality control measures in place.

A rental management company should provide renters with professional documents. The documents should include the cancellation policy, key collection procedure and other guidelines for the property. Renters can also use aggregator portals in order to find a vacation rental. Aggregators have photographs of property, as well as information about the vacation rental. Homeowners send the information to the aggregator portal so prospective renters can view it. The information is not verified by listing services, which means false information can be found on aggregator portals. Therefore, it is important for potential renters to contact previous renters in order to verify the information.

Rental companies can be easily accessed via the internet. When looking for a rental company, one must keep a certain set of qualities in mind. The company should be familiar with the property and location they are representing. Most vacation rental management companies are listed on VRWD.com and VacationRental.org. A large number of these companies only manage vacation rental properties.

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Listing Services and Aggregators
Renters cannot book the property with the listing service. Property owners have their own set of guidelines and prices, and thus, renters must either contact the homeowners or the management company in charge. It is possible to receive lower rates by going through the homeowner as opposed to a listing agency. It is very important that travelers search for vacation rentals from trusted vacation rental listing sites such as VRWD.com, VacationRental.org, MasterpieceRentals.com and HomeGetaways.com.