Its is not a person witholding their personal contact details from this website that I was questioning, it is that people withold their contact details from their own websites which are in effect a business tool, so if they operate from they home address and their home telephone, it then becomes a home business contact.
Secondly, if it is an unregulated source, all the more reason that full contact details are available.
If you did have a problem when booking from a regulated source, probably a quick look at Yellow Pages would give you details.

I don't display my home address on the website but I do my telephone number, most people enquire by email and if they include their telephone number then I do try to reply that way. It seems more personal that way.

I have a brochure that I can send out and that includes my home address. I certainly do not have a problem with guests having all this personal information about me, it's information I require from them and afterall they are going to stay in my much loved home so there has to be a level of trust on both sides, it is risk for me too!.

jan400, yes, that is an exact example of how it should be. An owner certainly would surely be reluctant to rent to someone who they have not got an address or telephone number for, in the same way a person renting would be wise to consider from the "secret" letting agent or owner.
I can give an example of someone who rented from a so called agent, the contact detail was mobile telephone. Luckily they stayed at the premises but on arrival found it was not booked in their name, but in the name of the "agent", who could not be contacted.
It must be said that the "agent" had paid in full, and made a couple of bucks. But it did leave the renter nervous.

I've moved this over to the Expats/Owners Abroad section as it's developed into an interesting debate and deserves a wider audience. The Private Rentals Forum is really for advertising and for those looking for a rental property.

Hi Jo - Who did you pay the money for the rental to? Surely whoever rented it out to you would have to give their address for the cheque to be sent to 6 - 8 weeks before departure date? I was just thinking that you could take them to the small claims court as the accommodation was not as described, in the same way that people can do with holiday companies?

Sorry to disagree with bawbee again, but I feel that the topic should remain in The Private Rentals Forum, as it could give guidance to novice private renters.
Can't it be included in both Forums, should you wish it to be shown here also?

It's there. I left a shadow.

But you're absolutely right on one thing, robjays.

I too would never rent a property from someone who did not provide me with their telephone number, and address if I asked for it, although the address would not really be necessary if I was paying directly into their bank account. More important than the owners address would be the contact details of the property manager who I could contact if there was a problem when I was at the property. This is normal information which is supplied by the overwhelming majority of rental property owners.

What you were suggesting by answering "Yes" to my question, was that "a private rental owner puts his own personal address onto his advertising." You then also suggested they should put it on their website. This means that such personal information is available to a worldwide audience.

For personal safety reasons, I would regard this as foolhardy and totally unnecessary, and for exactly the same reasons as you wouldn't want to display it on a forum like this. By witholding that information and only giving it out to who you consider to be genuinely interested parties, you are giving yourself personal protection.

Telephone numbers are a different matter, and up to the individual as to whether or not they wish to give this information to all, or just to those they consider to be genuinely interested parties. A telephone number is an important marketing aid, as is an email address. A house address is not.

People should be well aware that there are a large number of people out there whose only interest is to defraud you, or to cause you considerable grief. Surprisingly they are very easy to spot, if you are aware of the telltale signs. I'm sure all rental property advertisers have encountered them. The less information they have about you, the less effective they will be.

For personal safety reasons, I do not give out personal details on my website. However, anyone who wishes to book a property, is passed over to the property owner, and then enters into an agreement with them. At that time they will receive from the owner, their personal information as well as contact details of the manager of the property. In my opinion that is the right time to give out such information, when it is going to someone who genuinely needs it, not to display it to the world at large, the vast majority of whom have no interest in renting your property.

Likewise there are property owners out there who are "whose only interest is to defraud you,".
The term "personal details" is repeatedly referred to, but renting a property is a business, therefore, the contact details are no more personal than business.
How many people would book a holiday with joe bloggs travel, with an email address?
This is why many "regulated" operators have to incur the overheads of an office address, or use registered agents and pay fees.
Renting out a property is a business, if not, it may be worth registering as a charity.
I do believe that when there is a possibility of a conflict in interests for a moderator and the topic under discussion, then the moderator should withhold their comments.
Also, I strongly object to the "Thread" only being a "shadow" on the Private Rental Forum, as this may limit the number of people it would give genuine advice to from coming across it readily. A new comer may not search all forums, such as ex-pats. If they are looking for a place to rent. Look how far down the list it is on that forum at present. Getting nicely hidden?
Finally, if you are glad enough for the world to see the details of the property on offer, why not the contact details?
No,no, no, I bet if someone who was "caught" put a thread on a forum, members would be first to say you should have got contact details.
Do as I say and not as I do!

I tkink we are losing sight of the original problem here. Reading back through the posts nowhere does Jo mention the owner of that property hadnt given an address, just that the owner hasnt responded to her emails complaining about the condition of the property. Again, as myself and vvv has said, surely it is a matter for Trading Standards or the small claims courts? Regardless of whether it is a holiday company or a private individual you have rented from, you can still make a claim if the villa isnt as advertised.

We may have strayed off course a little, but I don't see it as being that harmful, especially if someone can gather information from it.
I wonder what contact details Jo did have, was it just e-mail?

Not sure either about that, but surely she had to pay her money to someone???

But who, or was it as mentioned by someone earlier, into a bank account?

Robjays wrote:

I do believe that when there is a possibility of a conflict in interests for a moderator and the topic under discussion, then the moderator should withhold their comments.

Exactly what CONFLICT do you mean??

Bawbee is entirely open with regards to his activities has Moderator and his activities has an agent for rented properties.

To imply some hidden agenda is grossly unfair.

Perhaps others who are less forthcoming about their own connections with the travel and tourism industry might do well not to throw stones in their glass apartments.

"Exactly what CONFLICT do you mean??"
If a moderator has an interest in a topic of such a nature, should they comment?
If a member of a Committe, Council, Partnership, etc. etc. have an interest which may cause conflict, they are usually excluded.

"Bawbee is entirely open with regards to his activities has Moderator and his activities has an agent for rented properties."
That I am glad of, however, as an Agent (I assume a business) why would an address or telephone number be classed as "personal details"

"To imply some hidden agenda is grossly unfair."
Totally agree, had there been such an allegation or implication.

"Perhaps others who are less forthcoming about their own connections with the travel and tourism industry might do well not to throw stones in their glass apartments."
I would agree on that 100%

Robjays, I'm not sure what you're aguing for here as you seem to be contradicting yourself.

Earlier in the thread you agreed that I was doing it "the way it should be done" but then you say that an address should be on the advert.

I do not nor would ever want to display my home address on any advert.
That's not because I'm hiding anything, just trying to balance the risks involved with giving a good service to my guests and so far everyone seems happy!

If a moderator has an interest in a topic of such a nature, should they comment?

Why ever not?? Bawbee has considerable experience in this area and has always been willing to share his knowledege and advice.

If a member of a Committe, Council, Partnership, etc. etc. have an interest which may cause conflict, they are usually excluded.

Not in my experience PROVIDING that any relevant interests are openly declared which in this case he has always done.

Robjays, I'm not sure what you're aguing for here as you seem to be contradicting yourself.

As opinions other than those that conform with one or two others are obviously not welcomed. I will leave the "small pond", but still believe that if you advertise, you should provide full contact details, especially if it is a business, which I would assume that more than one property rented would be classed as such.
I may be a little naive, as I have only just clocked up 30 years in business.
I will now return to the big pond.