VRBOReviews 2,004

READ THE REVIEWS AND THE CONTRACT BEFORE EXCEPTING. I went on this service and selected a property they then sent contract which was difficult to see, the guidelines in the contract for the $750.00 deposit was very stringent to impossible, plus they suggested that they had security cameras to count the amount of people staying there both points were uncomfortable.
So i tried to cancel in less than 10 hours and the said NO CANCELLATIONS, the best they could do was to give half back, which then the cancellation fee ends up being the same as the cleaning deposit, Danny the property manager was an amazing jerk about this. Palm Springs Desert Palace - Luxurious Estate with Absolute Privacy

I booked a property with VRBO for the most popular week of the year for Orlando, and sadly, just a few weeks before the trip, the owner decided not to rent it out that week! They offered to return our money, but that close to the trip there were very few homes not already booked, and the few out there were a lot nore expensive. I contacted VRBO, and yes, they asked if I'd tried communicating with the owner, and I explained the situation and the increased cost of the homes I could find. They told me if I submitted the rental agreement and the proof of payment they would submit a case, and would likely pay the difference for the new rental. I just got an email from them, and the claim was approved, and VRBO is paying the difference, well over a $1,000 charge. The process was simple, and while it did take them a week or so to process the request I couldn't be happier with the results, and will make sure to use VRBO for all future rentals!

I'm a Host and have two listings with VRBO Home Away in last two years everything ok but last couple month I have been charged back twice because they said the travellers fraud. But the guests was checkout for a month. I don't know all transaction they made and they found guests, I'm just a host they took huge commission from both side and now they said I must responsibility for this and charged back because this is out off their control. I got paid out $ 337 but they said I have to pay $ 404 plus $ 25 transaction fees, that mean whatever they mistaken or wrong doing we must pay the cost they want.

100% refundable policy doesn't work -- I cancelled before the date, but VRBO made me jump through many ridiculous hoops rather than just refunding the money as Airbnb does. I still have not received any of the 100% the refund to which I am entitled and have spent the better part of two hours so far on phone. I will not book through VRBO again. VRBO permits owner to advertise 100% refundable, but then gives the owner the option of not approving the refund! Most other rentals have been fine, maybe because I did not cancel but this policy sucks.

Our $2000 pre paid reservation is now showing as 'removed by owner' with less than a week before we travel. VRBO offer NO support or assistance, just 'call us if you can't get in'. So we have to fly for 3 hours (I am insulin dependent and need a fridge, which is why we used VRBO), then worry about not getting into a paid for property. No response from the property manager and VRBO have a) hung up on me twice b) told me there is nothing they can do. What a DISGRACE

I stayed in a condo in Wildwood, NJ FOR A wedding. The condo owner mentioned a good leak that had been fixed. It was not fixed, and I found myself cleaning up a flood when it rained on the first night. The owner initially offered me on night back then withdrew the offer for no reason. I contacted VRBO and the offered zero assistance. I was forced to contact me credit card company to fight the charges. Luckily I kept all the correspondence and was awarded a refund. But, VRBO has a 14 day policy to leave a review, and they said that since I was unable to complete the review within that time frame I am no longer allowed.

They make you choose between getting your money back and leaving a review... shameful business practices. I escalated this to the resolution team and nothing. I guess that is why they have so many 1 star reviews.

Hi,

I recently had placed 2 of my properties on the site. They have to accept your application to give you payments, shortly after they accepted! I thought I was all set. The company holds your funds for 30 days which is INSANE but ok, I thought after 30 days they will release it. My pay out was suppose to happen on the 29th of October, RENT IS DUE THE FIRST. I didn't receive an e-mail ALL day. I called to later find out I had to submit my ID to show that this was also my mailing address and it was really my property. Fine. Okay. At least I will be paid out now! Next thing you know I now need to submit a leasing agreement. Sent that. NOW, they are telling me I need a notarized letter saying it's okay to sublet the property and if I can't provide it they will hold my funds and not release them to me. I had ONE GUEST IN MY HOUSE FOR TWO WEEKS! They paid a total of 5,000 dollars and I am only getting 3,700 of this due to THEIR service fee's when they have NO service. VRBO deals with a payment company called "Yapstone". There is no number to directly deal with the underwriting team besides email which they take forever to respond too! I now have no money for rent because even after 30 days they are holding my funds and giving me BS excuses to why it can't be released! This is a HUGE scam and they will come up with anything in the book to keep large amounts of money. IF YOU ARE RUNNING A BUSINESS AND DOING RENTAL PROPERITIES DO NOT USE THIS SITE. Under ANY circumstance. Airbnb is the best, 2 days after my guests check in I get my pay out. DO NOT USE VRBO IT IS WORTHLESS

Their properties can be quite nice but the vrbo.com website and customer service are abominable, they disconnect on chat if you ask them an uncomfortable question. They send you links to manage a rental and the link never works, airbnb is far superior if there are fewer rentals.

My Wife made a reservation through this website (BIG MISTAKE)
They charged the credit card in full immediately.
They never responded to any calls from myself, my wife, or the hotel.
I cancelled through my credit card company - but now this site is alleging they provided services which they DID NOT PROVIDE (we had to stay elsewhere as the hotel was fully booked).
This site now also claims that the users have to cancel before x date at 7pm (but my wife made the reservation after 7pm that day!).
AGAIN:
NEVER EVER USE THIS SITE

VRBO has completely taken away the owners ability to communicate with potential renters before booking. It's completely ridiculous. Renting to someone without talking to them caused lots of problems. Not to mention you don't know who is going into your home. I found a website that operates like VRBO first did, it's called Florida Rentals by Owners. VRBO is very rude to the owners and not very open to suggestions just because they want money

My wife and I planned to stay at Pat Wellenbach's 1 Broad Cove apartment in West Bath for an 11-day honeymoon, but we left and went home after one sleepless night. Although the setting is beautiful, the apartment is small, is over a garage, and does not have the amenities as described. This listing came up on our HomeAway search for an air conditioned property, but there is no AC, just a small fan. The mattress is old, and Pat acknowledged guests have complained about it for years. The table for four comfortably seats no one - it is an ornamental outdoor table with no room for knees. There is a decent couch, but no other comfy seating anywhere inside. The bathroom is cramped, with a miniscule prefab shower and slanted roof that makes it hard to stand up by the sink. The listing also incorrectly describes the kitchen as "fully applianced." There is a small refrigerator and a small portable oven and microwave, but no dishwasher or even sufficient counter space to prepare food or dry dishes. The TV is an old tube style (i. E., no movie streaming) and is in a nook where it can only be watched by someone seated length-wise on the sofa.

Based on prior excellent experiences renting in coastal Maine over many years, a price point at $250/night, and our reliance on numerous references in the listing to "comforts" and other non-existent amenities, we expected a minimum standard. If the listing had been accurate, the apartment would have been perfect, but unfortunately, it was not. We travel regularly and never had an experience like this.

VRBO / Home Away is the WORST company to deal with. Dealing with their online forms doesn't always work when you are trying to book something. Many, many of our possible vacation renters have had so much trouble with them that they just out and out cancel their reservation. For property owners it is even worse. They hold the money due to the owners for months, leaving the owners unable to pay their cleaning crews and maintenance people. VRBO / Home Away is so screwed up that they cannot even keep track of the rentals and sometimes wind up booking someone for a property that is not available. Save yourself the headache and deal directly with the property managers or owners.

Renters be careful! Don't make the same mistake we made on a vacation rental property we made in BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO.
Had to cancel the reservation we had made from September 28th to September the 30th after we enter the property; the smell inside was awful, went to the bedroom to check the bed, filthy pillow cases, filthy sheets and filthy bedspread, stained and covered with dog hair everywhere, obviously the owner never bother to have the bed changed for the new renters (us). The couch/sofa bed in living room in terrible condition and also dirty.
Rental property ID *******. Owner Lisa W.
Home Away
Vrbo