Villa owners. What are the risks?
 

If you book a dibb villa versus booking with virgin/Thomas cook big brands etc?

If you book a Dibb villa, you are booking direct with the owner, if you book through a travel agent, you can be put anywhere as it’s normally AoA...🙂

Virgin/TUI/TC you will be fully protected against most things. ABTA etc

Booking direct with an owner and you will have no protection but you do get to choose the villa and even speak to the owner. Its usually cheaper too.

If I have no protection what could go wrong ? Think this is what puts me off booking direct

Not sure what you mean by having no protection?

Steve

Op there is risk in everything we do, it's how we minimise the risk is what you need to think about.

What are you worried about by booking direct with an owner?

You will find both options have their own risks but like i have said it is how you look to minimise any potential risks you may see.

Steve

2 years ago, our Villa was booked for Easter of 2017 through Holidaylettings.co.uk. 3 weeks out, the owner sold the villa, returned our money and cancelled the booking.
Holidaylettings were all over it, sending us numerous alternatives and we had booked elsewhere within 24 hours. The replacement was absolutely superb.

I firmly believe that such is the oversupply of villas, even at peak demand in Easter and Summer, you will never have a problem in the event of a cancellation.

With current cranking up and squeezing on prices taking place in theme parks, car parks and elsewhere in Orlando, I have a feeling that this oversupply is here to stay as potential renters look elsewhere.

I would have no hesitation in booking direct through an owner and have received both excellent villas and excellent landlord service on the numerous occasions that I have done so. It is great to select exactly what you want.

You can obtain protection from villa let down if you book with an owner who offers cc payment through Villarenters
there are a few of us on here who do
Need cc payment and 25% deposit if you can manage to do this way
Just an idea

I’m thinking of doing it direct for 2021 cos it will be in school holidays and virgin who we were with this year and booked for next year will be way too expensive.
Just worried about the risks. Wouldn’t like to get to the villa and have issues. Or few weeks before be left with nothing and having to scramble.

We booked direct with an owner for summer 2018. Unfortunately about 3 months before we were due to arrive the villa owner advised that they had sold the villa and the new owner wasn't willing to take over the bookings. However the Villa owner was brilliant and put us in touch with another bigger Villa who took over our booking at no extra cost.

You obviously get more protection by using a travel agent but the downside is that you don't normally get to choose your Villa and it works out more expensive.

There are checks that you can do if booking direct with an owner (I'm sure there is a guide on here somewhere) which can alleviate some of the risk but generally I don't see an issue with booking direct as long as you are careful and check out the owners reviews etc first.

Good luck finding the right Villa there are some lovely one's advertised on The Dibb!