Cottage ownership is not for everyone. The costs of owning and maintaining a seasonal property may outweigh the small amount of time you may be able to actually enjoy the property. Here are some tips to assist you before you rent a cottage.

Rent a cottage from a reputable source

Imagine you have made a down payment and rented a cottage for you and your family. When you arrive with family in tow, you find out that the owners did not rent out their cottage. Not only is your vacation ruined, but you have lost your deposit to a scammer. A little research will help to ensure that your vacation goes smoothly.

• Get referrals from family, friends and/or co-workers who have rented cottages in the past. They are trusted sources that will be able to tell you everything that was good and bad about the cottage they rented.
• Rent a cottage from a reputable source. There are many websites that allow you to search for rentals using criteria for facilities and recreation. Many of these websites have been around for years and list dozens if not hundreds of rentals. If the website is for a single cottage, a higher level of due diligence may be required.
• View pictures and read reviews. Information from other renters can be extermely useful when searching for a cottage to rent. Just remember that these renters are not trusted sources such as your family, friends and co-workers. Good reviews can be faked and bad reviews can be vindictive if the renter had a bad time and wants to get back at the cottage owner.

Read more…Kijiji Cottage Rental Scam Strikes Again – Steven Oriley

Make sure that the cottage owner has insurance

Bad things can happen while you are at a cottage. If you feel that an incident was caused by the cottage owners negligence, the insurance company can deal with it in a timely manner. If the cottage owner does not have insurance, you are on your own. You will have hire a lawyer and take the cottage owner to court. Ask for proof of insurance before you rent a cottage. This can be a copy of the policy or a Certificate of Insurance from the cottage owners insurance broker.

Bring your own life jackets

If the cottage is on or near the water, and you have kids, you will want to bring your own life jackets. Life jackets need to fit properly around your child. The cottage owner may not have life jackets for everyone and may require you to bring your own.

Read the manual

Cottages are not like your home in city. Stores are not just around the corner and neither are emergency services such as fire departments and hospitals. 911 service may not be available. Sometimes, even taking a shower or using the facilities requires some additional information. Hopefully, the owner has left some sort of manual that can help you in times of need. If not, make sure that you find out how to reach emergency services or how to handle difficult situations.

Do you own a cottage and rent it out to others? Read our Insurance tips for renting out your cottage.