Have a look here.

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/contactus.htm

Contact telephone no (0)1865 312000

fwh

Thank you fwh

I am a dummy. I did see that but did not read it properly. I'll send them an e-mail if I hear nothing by this friday.

We used Holiday Lettings this year and actually do prefer it when you book direct with the owner as you do on that site.

Presumably there is a contact number for the owner on the apartment details so why not just give them a call . I assume you have paid the full amount so you should have some details as to an address of the owner etc. anyway.

Pippa

Hi pippa

I have contacted the owners who have sent me directions.

But whose to say they will contact me about the keys. My point is that we're rather vulnerable to con-artists with this system. My money is in their pockets and I would find it difficult to get it back.

Unless again I've missed something on the holidaylettings site that protects me.

Are the owners checked out by this site. With thousands of lettings available I doubt it.

flipflopper

I would have thought that if there were a number of complaints about a particular owner then that property would be taken off the site. After all they wouldn't want to get too much bad publicity.

When you received the directions did they say anything about the keys then? It may be that they are away themselves at the moment. I still say give them a ring and ask about picking up the keys. I must admit that we have always had the keys at least 2 weeks in advance.

Pippa

We have booked direct with the owners of an apartment and I have spoken to the lady a couple of times to clarify a few things. She was very helpful. They have a company who caretake for them who meet you at the apartment or they post the keys to you (hopefully in plenty of time!). I'm sure that the people renting to you are just as worried about you as you are about them!

does it on say on their site that the keys are to be picked up from the reception, we normally let our customers know well in advance if we are going to send them the keys or pick them up from reception

Thanks for the responses

Pippa

This is their first time with the site and I have rung them and left a message on the answering service. They've only replied to my e-mails. (which is fair enough )

I'm sure they're probably having difficulty comunicating with the management company.

starkeybabe. I take your point but they've got my money.

I'll let you all know what happens after friday when I'll ring them again and again if i have to.

flipflopper

oh dear what a worry for you, ive never booked that way befor, but i really dont blame you for panicking, i know i would be... but then i worry about everything, hope it all turns out ok for you, and you have a fab holiday!

I'm a private owner and advertise on a few sites Holidaylettings being one of them.

I usually send out my keys at the same time as the directions but in a seperate package for security reasons. I always do this at least 2 weeks before the date of departure in case of a problem.

It does seem strange if you have directions but no key details, although not necessarily dodgy. I know it sounds obvious but have you re-checked everything to make sure that you haven't missed anything.

Also have a look at the advert again and at the bottom of the panel where the contact details are it gives you the date that advertiser joined the site and also when that particular property was added.
Do they have their own website that might have more contact details? Sometimes there's a link to the owners website in the same panel.

If it's been listed a while, it's a good indicator that there haven't been any serious problems reported in the past (such as fraud) otherwise the advert would have been removed immediately.

I do understand your concerns, there has to be alot of trust on both sides in a private rental. I am also trusting my home to someone I don't really know and it is worth alot more than the weeks rental they pay me so I stand to lose alot if the mistreat it or god forbid, decide to empty it of all my belongings.

Luckily (and I hope I'm not tempting fate as I say this) I've never had any problems and I hope it will be the same for you.

I have contacted the owners who have sent me directions.

And have perhaps assumed that you realise that they will simply arrange for someone to meet you with the keys? I've done numerous private lets over the years, mainly for locally owned propertys as opposed to UK-based owners and in the great majority of cases they've simply asked when we'll be arriving and either the owner or their agent has met us at the property, handed over the keys and briefed us with any particular information we need. The most useful being 'The door handle doesn't work from the outside even if you haven't locked the door so never go outside without the keys!' And it wasn't even a Yale lock - looked like a mortice lock and latch. And, yes, we did do it once by accident and yes, we couldn't get back in - the handle moved up and down but didn't do a thing!

SM

Well the keys arrived in the post this morning without notice.

Yipeeeeeeee!!!

Owners must put allot of faith and trust in the system. I for one prefer a little more communication and guarantee to a booking. But I'm sure after this stay I may well be converted to the more trusting approach

It would appear the owners have a few properties dotted about Europe and must be pretty laid back about it all.

Anyway I've enjoyed the chat. Thank you again for your responses.

Glad that is sorted. We have had keys posted to us before now.

Enjoy your holiday.

Pippa

Ah, I'm so pleased this has had a happy ending!

(The couple we book with always post the keys out to us, (recorded / registered) but they do email us to let us
know-so that we know when to expect them.

I assume you will have to post the keys back to them?

Enjoy your holiday!

Anyway I've enjoyed the chat. Thank you again for your responses.

Glad we have been able to assist. BUT! - There is always one. Don't let that be the end of it.

Post a review when you return.

Browse through the other topics and see if you can help someone else. It is surprising what some people know without realising until they are asked a question.

We are a friendly lot in here.

fwh

Milly_Molly wrote:

I assume you will have to post the keys back to them?

Enjoy your holiday!

I've e-mailed them asking that very question. Do I bring them back to england or do i leave them with the management company

they really are laid back about it all arn't they???

fwh

might just do that

thank you for the kind wishes

flipflopper

Glad it's all sorted, now go and enjoy yourselves!

PS if they don't email you back regarding the keys, I'd bring them back to the UK and post them to their home address - just to help their future guests!

Flipflopper, so glad its all sorted now... just be sure not to spend your whole holiday wandering what you should do with the keys!