8 rules that will help you rent a cool apartment for a trip and not be disappointed

1. Trust only confirmed bookings

Homeowners advertise on different platforms. Interesting options can be seen both in city chats and in groups on social networks. But remember that not all owners comply with verbal agreements: even if you discussed everything and shook hands, the owner can rent out the property to another or raise the price. In order not to have to rush to look for a new apartment with a suitcase in hand, it is better to immediately entrust the booking to a platform that has an official agreement with the tenants.

It is easy to recognize a site that is designed specifically for rent: a convenient search, a calendar of arrivals, filters for the number of rooms and guests, a price range slider, and an interactive map. The details are more important: a reliable resource will definitely contain the terms of service and information about the security of your personal data. Such sites send a confirmation of the booking and make it possible to cancel it if something went wrong. And they also protect their reputation: if the owner of the ad turns out to be dishonest, he will simply be disconnected from the service, and your money will be returned to you.

2. Check where the area is located and how the transport goes

It doesn't matter if you are going to rest or work. In an unfamiliar city, getting to the right places for several hours is not very pleasant. Therefore, a good apartment should be conveniently located. You can immediately choose housing according to the parameters you need. For example, search within walking distance from a metro station, closer to a picturesque beach or in the city center. And you can also see all the proposed options directly on the map - this will help you immediately navigate in an unfamiliar city.

Landlords often write about the remoteness of housing from the airport, train station and the nearest public transport stops. If there is no such information in the ad, arm yourself with a search and make a travel plan. For example, a cozy house in a picturesque suburb can really cost less than an apartment in the center, but at the same time, it will be connected to the city by the only minibus with an inconvenient schedule.

3. Look for information about amenities that matter to you

A separate bathroom, the ability to put another bed or a baby cot, a balcony - all the details that make up your comfort are important. Suppose you are used to cooking on your own when traveling. So, it would be useful to check with the owner in advance whether the kitchen has the necessary utensils. And if you're traveling by car, ask for free parking nearby.

An important requirement is good Wi-Fi. These days, this option no longer looks like a big advantage, but it’s better to find out about the signal quality in advance, especially if you want to work on a trip. Also ask if there is a hair dryer and iron in the apartment.

4. Read the rules carefully

The “customer is always right” approach does not work in the case of rental housing. For example, not every owner will allow you to check in with a pet, even the smallest and calmest. Another common restriction is a ban on smoking and noisy parties in the apartment. And this is justified: few people like to listen to neighbors complain about loud music and clean textiles from an unpleasant smell. In addition, the rules often specify the maximum number of people living in an apartment. Therefore, if you are traveling with a large group, you should not book a studio simply because it is cheaper than three rubles. The landlord will definitely not appreciate your enterprise. For all violations, as, indeed, for broken things, the owners have the right to demand payment of a fine.

5. Pay attention to value for money

Luxury apartments in the city center cannot be rented out for the price of a dead odnushka. If you find such an ad, this is hardly a moment of luck. Be realistic and remember that the miser pays twice. To avoid an unpleasant situation when the expectation will strongly disagree with reality, do a little market analysis. Look at other apartments and their average price in the same area. It makes sense to check housing similar in size and level of repair in the selected city on other rental sites. So you will be able to navigate the pricing and understand on the first trip how much this or that option should really cost. Over time, experience will appear: the more often you book apartments, the faster you will learn to compare the price and quality of apartments.

6. Feel free to ask for more photos

To protect users from scammers, some large aggregators ask you to post photos that have a sign with the ID of the landlord's profile. Sometimes numbers are added directly to the watermark. If you notice a similar number, it means that the apartment for rent on this site is real.

However, sometimes the owners wishful thinking and post overly retouched photos of the apartment. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask the landlord for more photos or even videos. If he flatly refuses or evades the request, it makes sense to look for another option. In addition, some owners try to put the apartment in the best light and take photos from good angles. For example, to make a tiny room seem more spacious, they can click diagonally or from the corridor. The ads usually indicate the area of ​​​​housing. Do not disregard this information in order to better navigate in its actual size.

7. Read reviews

In many rental services, guests can write their comments after leaving the apartment. Do not be too lazy to read everything that is written about the found option. Of course, there are people who are impossible to please in principle. If among 10 positive reviews there is one negative one, you should not pay close attention to it.

You can find a lot of useful information in the comments. For example, that housing is located above a noisy bar, and this greatly interferes with sleep. Or the water pressure in the shower does not leave a chance to wash normally. In addition, people often write about the character of the owner and his willingness to help in unforeseen situations, for example, to meet the needs of tired travelers and check them in before the agreed time. If the reviews under the ad left a good impression, you can safely rent an apartment.

8. Pay for your reservation online

Let's say you found a good apartment and contacted the owner to clarify the details. And then he asks for a deposit on his personal card and promises a discount. In this case, it is worth taking a break and carefully studying the details. Check your landlord's account. If he registered in the service just yesterday and offers a fabulously profitable option, this should alert you. If there is nothing suspicious in the profile, perhaps the owner wants to evade the percentage of the site. Therefore, the best way to protect yourself from an unpleasant surprise when you move in is to book your accommodation online through the platform. This way, payments will be made within the service, so you can count on guarantees: transaction confirmation, transaction security and the ability to return funds in case of early cancellation of the reservation.