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properties removed from Holiday Lettings - warning

Posted: Wed Jun 6, 2018 8:28pm
14 replies565 views5 members subscribed
Davebev1

Davebev1

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So finally I get a call after trying for over a week to get information from Holidaylettings/TripAdvisor web site.  They took down most properties in the area some time ago (I think about 10 days ago but not sure exactly) with no notification to the owners at all.  I only found out as someone who had previously enquired about some dates for next year then sent me a message via the site to say my property had disappeared and she now wanted to book.  She also said another property in Playa Flamenca she was watching had vanished.  

My management page said I was on-line but the property definitely was missing.  They didn't reply to my emails but the property did go back up today.  Our house has been displaying our license number for 3 years, and is legal.  The man denied that any properties had been taken off the site but did confirm that they had been checking that the properties were all licensed.  Something they could have done at any time on ours in the last three years without removing it.  Throughout he maintained that no properties had been removed no matter how much information I gave about myself, other owners or potential guests stating otherwise!  

Holidaylettings/TripAdvisor is a long way from being the best company out there, taking hefty booking fees from guests and charging owners for paying them their rentals.  But to repeatedly tell me that I was wrong, and therefore calling me a liar, about mine and other properties not being up on their site for over a week is about as bad as customer service gets!

So, those of you who let your properties, be warned about the company!  They have absolutely no interest in looking after the interests of the owners of the houses, despite being dependent on our advertising with them for their business.  Their customer service is non-existent. 

Most of our bookings these days come from Spain-holiday.com, who don't charge the guests a booking fee and don't have any extra charges after the annual advertising fee for owners either.  And are much easier to contact if you need to speak to them (and don't used an out-sourced call centre!).

dinnerout

Posted: Thu Jun 7, 2018 11:43am

dinnerout

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Posted: Thu Jun 7, 2018 11:43am

Very interesting.... I also noticed it. My property also has a licence. 

All searches for e.g. Denia brought up only 3 properties. I sent a message via their portal and got a useless generic reply. 

My listing is now visible again but without the logo which shows 7 excellent reviews. Very frustrating. 

Since being taken over by Tripadvisor things ain't good!! 

Steve

Davebev1

Posted: Thu Jun 7, 2018 12:28pm

Davebev1

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Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 7 Nov 2017

Posted: Thu Jun 7, 2018 12:28pm

So far Nicola you are the only owner/manager I have come across whose properties were not taken down for several days.  It seems loads in VC were off for at least a few days. 

MaryT63

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:47pm

Posts: 24

7 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 12 Aug 2017

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:47pm

I have my property with a management company and noticed that it has been taken off, i thought the management company took it off while they were waiting to get the tourist licence sorted

Davebev1

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:48pm

Davebev1

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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:48pm

All rental properties should have tourist licenses.  Most sites now wont advertise the properties without them as they can be fined for doing so.  If getting the license is the responsibility of your management company you should be asking them why they didn't sort it in time (they have had over three years to get it!)

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MaryT63

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:04pm

Posts: 24

7 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 12 Aug 2017

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:04pm

I've only had the property for a few months and assumed they were getting the licence straight away but discovered recently that they hadn't, they are now panicking about getting it.

Davebev1

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:32pm

Davebev1

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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:32pm

It will take a while unfortunately, but I hope it gets sorted quickly.  Some sites will allow you to advertise if you can prove you have applied and are waiting for the license, so you might still be able to get a few bookings. 

As you are new to holiday letting, just in case your managers haven't told you, I hope you don't mind me mentioning that you will need to have specialist holiday letting insurance with full public liability cover too.  And make sure your fiscal rep makes your quarterly tax return promptly to avoid fines for late returns.

Good luck!

MaryT63

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 4:04pm

Posts: 24

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Location: Villamartin

Joined: 12 Aug 2017

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 4:04pm

Thank you for this information, if you have any more information please feel free to message me privately, i appreciate all the information I receive

Mary

Davebev1

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 6:04pm

Davebev1

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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 6:04pm

Hi.  There is loads of info on the forum about licenses.  If you have registered property managers/agency looking after the property then really they should answer your questions as I may contradict them.  I speak from experience, not from a legal perspective, but am happy to help where I can.  We manage our own property and use keyholders.  We have a fiscal rep who handles our tax return each quarter.

Last year I spoke to a property manager (who shall remain un-named) about rental licenses and was told that they weren't bothered, didn't have any for any of their properties, as no one was enforcing the rules!  Frankly that is a really bad attitude, but one I have come across several times over the years.  At the time the authorities were already beginning to fine those who were not declaring their rental income in Spain.  So be careful who you use - make sure they are compliant with all legal requirements as you are paying them to do a job.  If you are able to handle the advertising and management yourself with the help of a keyholder (again must be legally set up to work in Spain) then I would recommend doing so in the future if you are not happy with your agent.

MaryT63

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 8:26pm

Posts: 24

7 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 12 Aug 2017

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 8:26pm

We are actually thinking of managing the property ourselves next year. We would need reliable keyholders and cleaners and at the moment I am looking at reviews to see if I can find someone. Would you recommend your fiscal rep?

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