We just arrived back from a wonderful stay on Maui in a beautiful condo which shall remain nameless at this time.
We rented through vrbo.com and it was a wonderful experience, good price and lovely accommodations. However, when we got home and I emailed to owner to say thank you, the owner emailed me back and said our credit card has been charged an extra $100 for extra cleaning fees. The reason? Let me quote: ';NORMALLY, A FAMILY OF FOUR DOESN%26#39;T DIRTY 2 SETS OF SHEETS AND EVERY
TOWEL IN ONE WEEK.';
We used both beds in the condo, and ONLY the sheets provided on the beds, never changing them. We used 6 of 7 towels provided. There was nothing in the rental agreement stating that we had a limit on the towel usage, only that we were free to use everything in the condo, including beach towels, which we used only 4 (out of about 8 available). We did NOT have maid service during our stay. In another email in response to mine, they said I used too many kitchen towels also (3 of them for a whole week!!!)
Incidentally, we cleaned the whole condo before leaving, doing the dishes, sweeping, wiping down counters, taking out all trash and food, etc.
The credit card company is now involved and since the rental agreement did not state they could charge my card after the fact for any reason, we will get our money back I%26#39;m sure.
But, more than anything, I%26#39;m insulted and discouraged from renting another condo now from owners. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Back from Maui with suprise charge....
First off, I wouldn%26#39;t hold back on giving out the property and condo unit where this problem occurred. The main purpose of TA is to assist others with their travel plans and if your advice on avoiding a particular condo helps to prevent someone else from getting screwed by a bogus cleaning fee, then that is a good thing.
I should mention though that cleaning fees with condo rentals do occur on Maui and I have paid for them in the past (depends on unit and place). However, the difference is that I was informed up front that my bill would also include a cleaning fee of usually $100 - $150 per week. I have never been charged a cleaning fee without first being informed up front, which sounds like you were not (did you read the rental agreement?). It sounds like they are hitting you only for extra laundry service (versus wear to carpet, windows, etc.). I don%26#39;t see how they can seriously charge $100 for just some extra laundry. Again, these folks really need to be exposed.
It is interesting that you bring up the subject of cleaning fees though. From my experience, it seems that condos that I have gotten for a fairly cheap rate (less than $150 per night) would often also require an additional cleaning charge whereas the more pricey ones (over $200+) rarely charge for cleaning fee. I guess that strategy allow for one to deceptively advertise their condo at an artificially discounted rate -- something attractive to an unsuspecting buyer.
Back from Maui with suprise charge....
Captain Trips, the OP said it was extra, and you can tell from the letter that it%26#39;s a penalty for perceived overuse.
I agree, talk about the unit, for one thing it%26#39;s not fair to owners that don%26#39;t pile on unjustifed fees to put them all under a cloud. I%26#39;ve rented a few condos, this last fall I rented from 2 owners on Oahu and had absolutely no such problems ... there are many wonderful owners out there.
That said, some places are charging big deposits now and only refunding them after the place is inspected ... that sort of practice worries me. Clearly there are some people who just trash their place and the rest of us pay the cost.
As for this charge, on the linens, I think owners shouldn%26#39;t keep more linens in the condo than they wish to be used during a stay. If they have two sets of sheets you should be able to change the beds, for example. I understand, you are saying they are mistaken, but even if they weren%26#39;t mistaken ... if you provide linens, expect them to be used, like anything else that%26#39;s provided.
Have you written back and said that you only used one set of sheets, and did they argue with you? I%26#39;m curious.
This is RIDICULOUS! Tell the owner you are posting on TA and invite them to post ';their side';. If indeed they are charging you $100 for using the linens and towels provided in the condo -- and not for ruining two sets of sheets and the towels -- this is bogus.
I%26#39;m glad your damage deposit was on a credit card and can be nullified. Ordinary wear and tear are NOT chargeable as ';damage';, nor should ';laundry'; be considered an extra.
The post does indicate that vrbo.com was utilized to make the reservation. Unless, that site, in conjunction with the nameless offender fixes this and posts it here, we can all remember vrbo, as each should be jointly and severably responsible.
WOW!!!! What it comes down to is a charge of $100 to wash ONE set of sheets, a COUPLE of kitchen towels and TWO beach towels, (assuming a couple would normally use ONE beach towel each, ONE bed and ONE kitchen towel in a week)
The owner is trying to rationalize the added charges... how about a situation where two people sleep in SEPARATE beds because of medical or comfort problems? Do they get charged extra for using the second bed?... I don%26#39;t think so!
The second set of sheets on the second bed SHOULD be changed after the visit ANYWAY...... otherwise, how do you know that the beds were not just made and left?
ChiSue%26#39;s idea is excellent....Post the information on the forum and allow the owner to respond. This type of bogus added charges gives other owners a bad name. (unless you ruined the sheets and towel and they had to be replaced)
I would like to follow the development of this post and know the property which has this policy.
That%26#39;s crazy! I want to know who it was! I never have had anything like that happen. I usually strip the bed and throw the sheets in the washer right before we leave and start a load for the housekeeping.
It sounds as if this person is just trying to get extra money from you. Sue and I both own units on the island and we both know how expensive it is to do so but that is unethical. Somebodys scamming their renters.
I would absolutely be fit to be tied. Using three kitchen towels in a week is overuse? Six bath towels, overuse? How absurd.
That condo/owner would not be remaining nameless here if I were in your shoes.
i second that. a few greedy owners can make it bad for all the nicer ones.
Name %26#39;em.... Never had this problem. At home I use one or two kitchen towels a day. One vacation, I try to conserve a little but we still use every towel in the condo. That owner sounds greedy and nuts. I could see a charge that high if you spilled a glass of wine or juice on the carpet and it required $100 worth of professional cleaning but not for using the linen to its fullest potential.
I also use one or two kitchen towels a day!
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