What is VacationMouse? - Top
VacationMouse is the place travelers go to when they want a one-of-a-kind vacation! Homeowners around the world, in the most desirable destinations, rent their homes to travelers who are looking for more than just a hotel room when they travel. VacationMouse is a community that brings homeowners and travelers together, to assist both in reaching their goals.
How does it work? - Top
To book your Vacation Rental Home, first choose the property or properties you are interested in. Then, check the owner's 'Availability Calendar' to see if your desired dates are open. Note: not all property owners update their calendars. Once you determine the availability, then 'Contact the Owner' directly by submitting an email inquiry on their property listing page. They will then respond to you via email, and you can get answers to any questions you have. Lastly, book your rental with the owner! Please see The Rental Process for more information.
What is a Vacation Rental Home? - Top
A Vacation Rental Home can be a house, condo, apartment, villa, chalet, cabin, etc. where you stay on your trip. You make it your home away from home when you are on vacation. A Vacation Rental Home includes amenities that make you feel the comforts of home; from the luxury of a full kitchen and spacious living room to a private outdoor pool and terrace. Travelers enjoy the special features of a private home along with the opportunity to experience their vacation from a local’s prospective.
Who is a Vacation Rental Owner? - Top
A Vacation Rental Owner is someone who puts their home up for rent, for vacationers to use while the owner is absent. The homeowner lists their property for travelers to find on VacationMouse. It is typically the homeowner who lists their home, but often the homeowner has a property management company who manages the rental for them.
Why choose a Vacation Rental Home over a hotel? - Top
By renting a vacation rental home you get an all around superior place to stay, and actually pay less money than you would for a hotel rental. Why stay in a small hotel room when you can rent an entire home with lots of amenities for less money? It’s a no-brainer!
What does it cost me to use VacationMouse? - Top
Nothing! The site is free for vacationers. Owners pay to list their properties on the site. Vacationers are free to browse, and use all the features the site offers including contacting homeowners, at absolutely no cost!
How much does a Vacation Rental cost to rent? - Top
VacationMouse offers homes for every preference and every budget; the selection is endless, as we have homeowners offering small properties, to homeowners offering historic mansions on the waterfront. You may input your preferences on the site to find just the right type of home you are looking for, that meets your budget.
How do I search for a property? - Top
As a traveler using VacationMouse, you have a wide range of beautiful, one-of-a-kind properties around the world to choose from. You can begin your search by typing your destination into the 'Search' box on the Homepage, or by clicking your destination on the map. Once you submit your desired destination, you will then be given a list of properties at that destination. You can then browse and view properties, contact owners, as well as narrow down your search location and desired details. If you already have a property you have viewed and would like to review the property listing again, simply type in the Listing # in the 'Search' box, and you will be navigated to that property.
How many vacation rentals can I inquire about? - Top
You may inquire about as many properties as you are interested in. To save yourself and the owner time, make sure to review all Owner’s Calendars to first check if your travel dates are available.
How can I tell if a property is available? - Top
On the property listing page, halfway down, there is a tab for 'Calendar'. Click on this tab. This will show you the calendar for that property and when it was last updated. You can then see if your dates are already booked (shown in red), or if they are available (shown in purple).
What do the different colors on the Calendar mean? - Top
Owners update their calendars to show travelers when their property is available. The days that are colored in red are already booked. The days that are colored in purple are available.
How can I be sure that the home pictured and portrayed will actually be the home when I arrive? - Top
At VacationMouse, we pride ourselves in maintaining authenticity throughout our website. Our number one priority is that travelers who book with owners through our site experience a positive vacation rental experience. There are a number of ways we provide the authenticity our site offers: Management reviews all the details of each and every new listing that is submitted through our site. No listings are posted live on the site until they have gone through this scrutinizing review process. Any little detail that is abnormal or strange is further investigated and authenticated before the listing can be posted.
What is the best way to pay for my rental? - Top
The best way to pay for your vacation rental is through check, credit card, or PayPal. Not all owners accept credit cards, so you must inquire about this before booking your stay. We recommend you do NOT pay with cash, wire transfer, or through Western Union. These are usually red flags, and you are opening yourself up to high risk of fraud.
How do I receive a refund? - Top
Make sure that your rental agreement includes the Owner’s Refund Policy. If you are in accordance with the Owner’s Refund Policy, you must contact the owner to be issued your refund.
What should a Vacation Rental Owner provide for you? - Top
- The address of the property you will be staying at, once your trip is booked.
- What the total amount is you will be charged including any additional fees.
- What is the required security deposit.
- Confirmed dates of your stay.
- The owner’s policies on cancellation.
- How and when the payment should be made (full or partial payment).
- Instructions on obtaining keys and access to the home during your stay.
- Directions to the property via car, train, bus or plane.
- Owner’s address, phone number and email address.
- Contact for any maintenance emergency at the home (often the owner themselves).
- Address and phone number of property.
What is the cleaning situation? - Top
Most owners have their home professionally cleaned between vacationers. This is often a fee that you are responsible for, and should clarify this with the owner. If the owner says the home is not professionally cleaned, there is a possibility that the property will not be up to your standards. The cost of cleaning is small in comparison to the cost of losing any enjoyment on your stay.
How do I know if the property allows pets? - Top
If you are looking for a property that allows dogs, you must select that option in the details drop-down menu of the property listings page. There you can select 'Woof OK' and your search will be restricted to those properties. Some owners also state on their property listing, 'Woofs Considered'. In this case, you would need to discuss the situation with the owners themselves.
How do I know if the property owner allows smoking at his/her property? - Top
If you are looking for a property that permits or prohibits smoking, you must select that option in the details drop-down menu of the property listings page. There you can select 'Smoking OK' or 'Non-smoking' and your search will be restricted to those properties. It is very common for owners to have strict 'Non-smoking' policies at their properties. Please realize that this is a serious policy, and if you need to smoke, choose a property that allows this conduct to avoid losing your security deposit.
How to avoid problems - Top
You should always acquire phone and email contact information from the owner whose property you are staying at. One advantage of booking with an owner is that the home is theirs, so they can answer any and all questions you may have. Also, it is nice to be able to speak to the owner directly before you book, before your trip, and during your stay in case of an emergency or if you require assistance. It is also important to read owner's reviews on their property listing page, as it is a great way to hear what other previous travelers have thought of their stay at the property. Also, make sure to get everything in writing. Many owners will have you fill out a renter's agreement or contract.
What to do if a problem arises? - Top
Any problems or issues need to be worked out with the owner directly. It is our number one priority to have a secure website where vacationers can feel safe booking their trips time and time again. We want every person who uses the resource of our site to have a pleasant and successful experience. We strive to avoid any type of illegal activity, and urge you to report any activity that you believe to be suspicious or fraudulent to us immediately. We take security very seriously and work hard to make sure you are protected.
How do I write a review for a vacation rental I have stayed at? - Top
The VacationMouse community and future travelers really benefit from reviews. We appreciate you taking the time to write a review for the property you have stayed at to assist others in the future. To write a review, go to the Property Listing that you stayed at, and click on the link that says 'Reviews' then 'Write a Review'.
What is the difference between a half bathroom and a full bathroom? - Top
A half bathroom does not have a shower or bathtub. A full bathroom has a shower and/or bathtub.
How is VacationMouse giving back to the environment? - Top
At VacationMouse we feel deeply responsible to give back to the beautiful planet that we are all so blessed to travel on! We have partnered with CarbonFund.org to support their global effort to offset and reduce carbon emissions. Organizations like CarbonFund.org require our support to continue their much needed research and work towards finding new solutions to make us a more sustainable planet. We are committed to fighting global warming as it is a reality not a theory. A portion of every new membership to VacationMouse is donated to Carbonfund.org. To learn more about our 'Green Alliance' click here.