Questions
How do I know the rentals are legitimate?
Your Latitude property vacation rentals website is very similar to any other advertisement in which vacation or holiday homes are listed. Therefore we do not personally check out the listed properties prior to advertising with us. We recommend you to request references and a list past renters when you are communicating with the owner/manager. If possible you could visit the property before but in most cases this is not possible. EATLANTIS LLC and any of the subsidiaries of EATLANTIS LLC assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the listings or it’s contents. Please verify for accuracy the best you can. Ask for references and the most information about the property before signing or making any payments.
Unfortunately, internet fraud does happen from time to time on vacation rental sites and while rare it can happen. You should always proceed with caution with any payments and extremely cautious with wire transfers, money orders or money grams.There are warning signs you should look for. Usually you will see a very nice rental with lower than normal prices. Look for uncertainly regarding the exact property location, or any suspicious behavior of the property owner or manager. Call the phone number provided. If they do not pick up and it is always an electronic voicemail (without human voice) this should raise red flags. The best way to avoid potential problems is to do your homework. We always suggest talking to the owners/managers on the telephone versus strictly email. While talking to them does not guarantee the property for being legit it is better to at least speak with a person than you only trust email. If you have concerns after speaking with the owner/manager, then ask them for a list of past renters that you may contact. Use due diligence for the contact list if they provide one. If you call the numbers and they are all electronic voices and no one picks up this is another red flag.
Once again, while fraud is rare it does happen and we do not inspect or can guarantee the properties listed are legit. It is up to you to due the proper work to ensure the property is what is advertised by the owner/manager.
For addition information please see our section on fraud prevention tips
How do I handle payments?
Payments are made directly to the vacation rental owner/manager. Since this website is just a third party all payments are made directly to the vacation rental owner/manager. Since each vacation rental is individually owned and operated by the person advertising within the directory, the payment methods and schedules will vary. Typically the owner/manager will require a reservation deposit, then the balance to be paid in one or two payments. Most owners/managers require full rent plus a deposit paid prior to the rental period.
Payment methods will vary also, but most will take personal checks. Credit cards or PayPal may also be an option. We high recommend you do not send money grams, money orders or wire transfers. If they can not make other arrangements to receive payment, or say time is very short so we have to do it this way, we would suggest you looking at our fraud tips page and due your due diligence on this rental. We can not guarantee the person placing the ad is displaying a legitimate rental.
Payments or deposits requested from owners by the use of a wire transfer, moneygram or money order generally are RED FLAGS that the property listing is fraudulent! These forms of payment typically cannot be recovered and are common schemes used for internet scams.
In the event that your rental is not supplied as agreed to in your rental contract you should proceed with caution and take extra steps for your safety or find another rental you feel more comfortable with.
Below is an actual fraud case so you can see how this scam works:
"The dates you ask for comes available now but you would have to respond ASAP to hold dates as we do have someone looking to take dates covering yours. Rates for per night are as follows
$300 {special discount rates}inclusive of utilities and tax.$2100 for 7 days. Deposit $1800 {which is inclusive of rates and balance $300 paid at check in date}needed to hold dates.
The apartment comes with four separate bedrooms, and a private terrace. I have attached the booking forms.You would have to fill them out and pay the deposit via money gram money transfer, or western union money transfer, do visit their web site www.moneygram.com or westernunion.com to locate the closest agent location to you. You would have to return to me along with the scanned attached receipt given to you at money gram as confirmation of deposit paid and the booking forms via EMAIL,. Information to pay the deposit to are:
John S. Thompson
145 W 58th
New York NY 10019
This is fast and insure quick hold on the dates. Cancellation policy is on the forms and check out time also. we offer free pick up service, if interested in this, you would have to fill out the space in the forms, this involves picking you up and also taking you back to the airport, we can make arrangement for a second pick up service at a token fee. check in is done at the front desk upon presentation of the original receipt of payments. and keys given then. deposit is refunded in cash at check out after inspection of the property. and we do have a tour guide to help you not only with your shopping, sight seeing but major broad way shows also, do get back to me ASAP. as we have someone ready to hold dates by Wednesday, which would be affecting yours, let me know when to expect deposit. Do let us know if you do have any questions. am presently working from home now so you cant reach me at the office, but my office number is 5558739656. Do send me an email ok.
Thanks,
John
"The apartment is Just 8 mins from Time square. Below is a direct description if you need one.
Start in 165 W 88th St, Manhattan, NY 10024 going towards W 87th St Turn RIGHT on Columbus Ave Take LEFT on Broadway Continue, road name becomes Columbus Cir Exit rotary at Central Park S Turn RIGHT on 7th Ave Arrive in Times Sq/7Th Ave, Manhattan, NY
We would be looking to hear from you, I have attached pictures of the apartment."
"Hello
The apartment is located on the 5 th floor and this is a doorman building which does have an elevator, the upper stories is for the bedrooms and bathrooms and also leads to the terrace. the bedrooms are separated by walls, and the indoor swimming pool is shared though and the cleaning fee is inclusive in the rates along with all utilities and tax. the free pick up service is an option but if needed, your travel detail has to be filled out on the forms, we dont accept payment for now via pay pal. we would be looking to hear from you so we can have the forms and the payment details sent to you ok."
"Hello
We have received the booking forms and the receipt from money gram, your dates are been held now and you have been logged in for our free pick up service, we are looking forward to your stay here and you would have to notify us of any change in plans, you have also been logged in for our free pick up service. Thanks for booking with us.
Thanks"
Please see our fraud prevention tips section for additional information.
This is only some of the fraud prevention you can take to help protect yourself. YourLatitude.com is not a property management company and we do not inspect the properties that list on our website.
What is the best way to contact an owner?
Every one of our listing provides the owners/managers telephone number or another way to contact this individual. In most cases there is email and fax communication for this owner as well. All emails are stored in the property vacation rental owners section so if you do send an email the owner/manager will always be able to view your request. This would probably be the best way to communicate with them.
Do I secure the property through Your Latitude?
No. Your Latitude is a vehicle for you and the owner/manager of the vacation or holiday property to find each other. All bookings will need to be done on an individual basis.
How do I secure the property?
Each property owner/manager have their individual way of securing a rental agreement. Communicate clearly the number of guest, date and time of your arrival and departure, if pets will be accompanying you, location or any other needs. We would always recommend the details of the reservation be written in a lease or rental agreement. This agreement should be a legally binding contract and would have all the details of the payments, arrival/departure date, any terms and conditions, refunds, deposits and any conditions for cancellations. For everyone’s security both parties should always have a rental or lease agreement.
How are cancellations and refunds handled by the property owner/manager?
Any penalties associated with canceling the property rental should be clearly stated within the rental agreement or lease or communicated to you. Keep in mind travel insurance could be a great investment and protect you if circumstances force you to cancel the trip. Cancellations because of weather are normally not permitted unless you have it specified within your property rental agreement.
What are the check in times?
These times in and out of the property will vary on a case by case basis. This information should be found within your property rental agreement or lease. All the terms of the arrangement (pet policy, check in/check out times, maximum occupancy, maintenance of the holiday or vacation rental, phone charges, damages, and cancellation conditions (weather) should be listed in the rental or lease agreement.
What information on deposits or payments to the property owner/manager should I be aware of?
The property rental agreement will vary as well. There could be a wide range depending on the vacation rental owner of the deposit they would require. This could be as little as 10% up to 50% of the total booking fee. This would secure your reservation with full payment received 4-8 weeks prior to arrival depending on the individual owner/manager. Pay close attention to the instructions provided by the property owner/manager and pay very close attention to the rental agreement. This is to ensure you don’t lose the reservation and/or the deposit.
Are there any other payments I will need to make?
Other than the booking deposit and the full payment prior to you stay at the vacation or holiday rental you will be asked to provide a refundable security deposit. This might be due at the time of your booking or when you arrive at the location. Items such as this and others should be found within the rental agreement.
What if the vacation rental owner/manager asks me to bring the security deposit on arrival?
You would need to ask them how they would like the deposit. Some vacation rental owners ask for the deposit to be in the form of U.S. cash, local currency, check or travelers check. Verify how the owner/manger would like the deposit if the request it on arrival.
What if I have a problem or issue with my vacation rental or holiday rental?
The contact person that set up the rental would be the best person to get in touch with. Their information should be provided within the rental agreement and on the contact page for the vacation rental. It would be in the best interest of everyone to resolves issues quickly.
What should I ask about the travel arrangements to the rental?
Any special travel, parking passes, airports or ferries should be included in your rental agreement. You should request this information in advance if it is not in your rental agreement. The owner/manager of the vacation rental will be the best person to advise you on your travel arrangements. Your Latitude LLC will not have this information available.
Should I expect any pre arrival information?
Well you should always have the directions to the property after booking. You should be sent/provided a key for the vacation rental. You should also have a name and number of the individual that you can contact if you have a problem. Think of the questions you want answered: 1: Directions 2: Keys 3: Deposits and other items important to you.
Ok I'm at the property, now what?
Some property owners/managers send you a key in advance. Others use a lock box or some owners live on or close to the property. If you are renting a condo or a property that has a managers office as if there is an extra set of keys in the office or if the office manager could help you get into the rental. You should always have a contact number within your rental agreement to help you in a time of need. Always have a number for someone in case you have an issue that needs to be resolved.
What if my travel has been delayed?
Use your contact number for the owner/manager and let them know of your travel delay.
Hopefully you had a great vacation, now what happens when I leave?
Your rental agreement should have your checkout information included or include via instructions by the vacation rental owner/manager. There is normally a cleaning fee involved. Know your cleaning fee responsibilities if there are any. Also some owners may expect you to clean prior to leaving. You should always be checked out by the owner/manager or a representative of the owner. If there is no damage to the property then you should receive your deposit back within a time manner.
Bottom line is know your cancellation policy, have a lease agreement signed, don’t miss any payments or deposits, know the directions, get your arrival instructions ahead of time including information on entering the property, leave the property in good shape to get your deposit back and have a good time.
How do I know that the owner isn't a fraud?
Unfortunately, fraudulent business is conducted on the internet every day. However, there are a number of proactive measures you can take to help identify fraudulent behavior such as:
#1 Look for signs of poor or supicious communication from the owner or delayed responses. For example, if the owner does not return your phone call or if there is no voice mail for the number listed. Delayed and terse email responses can be a sign of fraud as well.
#2 NEVER agree to using wire transfers, cashiers checks or moneygrams. These are all common techniques used by fradulent business owners on the Internet.
#3 Ask for references or past renters from the owner. If they are hesitant to give out such information then that could be a red flag.
#4 Ask for rental agreements before booking and look it over carefully.
Below is an example of a common fradulent rental agreement due to the payment forms only being MoneyGram or Wire Transfer (in yellow):
VACATION RENTAL
BOOKING RENTAL AGREEMENT & INFORMATION SHEET
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN WITH PAYMENT TO:
156th St. New York, NY 10036 Manhattan
NYC RENTER NAME: _________
RENTER ADDRESS: (Include City, State, Zip) ________________
RENTER HOME PHONE; BUSINESS PHONE; FAX NUMBER; E-MAIL ADDRESS: ________
RESERVED DATES: IN: ______OUT:_______
NUMBER OF ADULTS________; CHILDREN________; PETS_______________
1. AGREEMENT: NEW YORK CITY APARTMENT VACATION RENTAL, the Owner, and Renter agree as follows: Above Renter is an adult and will be an occupant of the unit during the entire reserved period. Other occupants will be family members, friends or responsible adults. Use of the premises will be denied to persons not falling within the foregoing categories, and as a result they would have to vacate the property immediately without any refund. No keys will be issued to anyone who is not an adult.
2. PETS: We allow pets under the following conditions.. Guest pets must check out one hour earlier so the cleaning staff has ample time to sanitize the home. You MUST clean up after your pet. That includes properly disposing of all waste material. If any waste material is found on the property, a portion of your pet deposit will not be refunded. You must also maintain control of your pet at all times, and NEVER leave a dog unattended. If you are leaving for the day and don't want to take the dog with you, you must put it in a local kennel or find alternative solutions to leaving the dog alone at our property. (If you are renting our property on a month to month basis, it is acceptable to leave your pet at the home while you are away). You must clean the home to the same level it was when you arrived; meaning pet hairs should not be visible. Any complaints from neighbors regarding excessive noise or other nuisances may be cause for immediate termination of the lease and forfeiture of the Renter's entire security deposit.
3. SECURITY DEPOSIT: The security deposit is $600 for a vacation rental. This includes Pet Deposits if applicable. Your security deposit is fully refundable at the time of your departure provided that real and personal property are in the same condition as when occupancy commenced and all terms of this agreement are met. Renter is liable for all replacements and repairs that are outside what is considered normal wear and tear.
4a. PAYMENT SCHEDULE :
Total Rent Quoted $850
Rent .$850 plus a Refundable Security Deposit $700
You are to pay $1550 to hold your dates.
MODE OF PAYMENT
VIA MONEY GRAM or WESTERN UNION TRANSFER:
SENDERS NAME:
RECEIVERS NAME:
REFERENCE NUMBER (if money gram):
SENDERS ADDRESS:
AMOUNT: $1550
5. CANCELLATION: Should you wish to cancel this reservation, notice of cancellation MUST BE IN WRITING AND RECEIVED MORE THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR CHECK IN DATE. We will refund the sums you have paid, less a $100 cancellation fee.
6. CHECK IN: Check in time is 3:00 PM. EARLY CHECK IN TIMES ARE ALLOWED ONLY WHEN THE PROPERTY IS CLEANED AND READY FOR OCCUPANCY AND PRIOR APPROVAL IS REQUIRED. Keys will be ready for pick up at property location. Or we can send down the keys to you hope it will be in a safe hands
7. CHECK OUT: Check out time is 10:00 AM, except for guest with pets, it is 9:00 AM. THERE IS AN EXTRA CHARGE FOR LATE CHECK OUT AND PRIOR APPROVAL IS NEEDED. Please leave all keys and remote controls at the location. A $50 hour fee will be charged for each hour (or portion thereof) past the required check out time. A $50 per item fee will be charged for each lost key.
8. CLEANING: Each property will be inspected, sanitized and cleaned after your departure. The rental fee you have paid will provide for four hours of normal cleaning so that you can enjoy your vacation up to the last moment. YOU ARE REQUIRED to leave the property in the same general condition that you received it by making sure, dishes are done and put away, and the home is generally picked up and ready to be vacuumed, dusted and sanitized
9. WHAT WE SUPPLY: The property is equipped and set up as a fully furnished property that will include bedspreads, linens, blankets, pillows, towels, as well as a fully equipped kitchen, TVs, furnishings, BBQ grill, and outdoor furniture.
10. WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Personal toiletries.
11. RENTERS LIABILITY: Renter agrees to accept liability for any damages caused to the property (other than normal wear and tear) by Renter or Renters guests, including, but not limited to, landscaping, misuse of appliances, and/or equipment furnished. If damages are in excess of the security deposit being held, Renter agrees to reimburse NEW YORK CITY APARTMENT VACATION RENTAL for costs incurred to repair/replace damaged items.
12. SLEEPING CAPACITY/DISTURBANCES: Renters and all other occupants will be required to vacate the premises and forfeit the rental fee and security deposit for any of the following: A. Occupancy exceeding the sleeping capacity stated on the reservation confirmation. B. Using the premises for any illegal activity including, but not limited to, the possession, serving or consumption of alcoholic beverages by or to persons less than 21 years of age. C. Causing damage to the premises rented or to any of the neighboring properties. D. Any other acts which interferes with neighbors' right to quiet enjoyment of their property.
13. HOLD HARMLESS: NEW YORK CITY APARTMENT VACATION RENTAL does not assume any liability for loss, damage or injury to persons or their personal property.
NEW YORK CITY APARTMENT VACATION RENTAL Accept liability for any loss or damage caused by weather conditions, natural disasters, acts of God, or other reasons beyond its control.
14 There from. In any action concerning the rights, duties or liabilities of the parties to this agreement, their principals, agents, successors or assignees the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.
REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE RENTING A PRIVATE HOME. PLEASE TREAT IT WITH THE SAME RESPECT YOU WOULD LIKE SHOWN TO YOUR OWN HOME.
Renter SIGNATURE________________________DATE________________
YourLatitude.com is comparable to what is offered by a newspaper or magazine. We can not confirm the vacation homes listed are in fact “real” properties. Therefore due diligence by you should always be taken.
While fraud is rare, it can happen. The tips below are intended to help travelers avoid fraud but can not guarantee fraud from happening. Please see fraud.org for more information.
Fraud Warning Signs:
• an unusually low price
• uncertainty regarding the exact property location
• any suspicious behavior of the property owner or manager
• Payment requested by money orders, money grams, or wire transfers.
• Short time schemes where you need to hurry and wire the money to hold the property
.
• Only proceed cautiously if you must make an international payment using a money order or wire transfer.
• Speak to the owners/managers on the telephone versus strictly email.
• If they never answer the phone and only have electronic voice (non human) on the voicemail
• Do not provide you with a list of previous renters to personally call and speak with
• Can not give you the exact location of the property to view on google maps or another mapping/location service.
• Never give out personal financial information (bank account number, social security number, etc.)
A few things you should ask for or do:
• Speak with the property owner/manager in person. Do not converse only on email.
• Ask the owner where else the property is advertised on the Internet and for how long. Compare names and information
.
• If possible, pay with a credit card. Credit cards typically offer protection in the event that your accommodation is not supplied as promised. We do not recommend you sending a money gram, wire or money order unless you feel extremely confident in your due diligence.
• If paying by Check or Money Order, take additional precautions and try to avoid using wire transfers.
• Ask for references from past renters and call them. Speak with them in person.
• Request the street address of the property rented and look it up on one of the internet based map sites, such as mapquest.com or Google maps.
See fraud.org for more information.
And: http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/travelfraud.htm
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