|
|
Gite Owners
Topic has 56 replies.
  
|
|
Sort Posts:
|
|
|
|
 18/11/2006, 10:24
|
nimportequoi
Joined on 15/11/2005
Posts 514
|
|
|
Oh dear, what a timely thread. I have a family arriving today for whom I have no references, they phoned up a few days ago looking for a dog friendly gite in which to stay for a week, 2 at most while they look for a long term let. I am aware of the rules of no eviction rule during winter, but have never had any problems with winter tennants (or had any dishonest tennants either) before, so I said yes. I have a contract ready and was also going to take a good deposit, but this may not be enough! ![Confused [8-)]](/cs/images/emotions/confused.gif)
Anybody any other suggestions apart from keeping the door locked and going out??
|
|
|
|
|
Report
|
|
|
|
|
18/11/2006, 11:34
|
The Riff-Raff Element
Joined on 23/08/2004
South Vendée - The Particularly Nice Bit
Posts 1,642
|
|
|
|
Susan - re my last: do you have facility to take a credit card? It is a
general observation, but those about to commit fraud often do not like
using cards for accomodation as they leave an electronic trail. If they
have already skipped somewhere, this will flash up their whereabouts to
anyone looking for them. These days virtually anyone is happy to pay by
card: if they are not it would give me cause for concern.
Jon
Doust-e hameh kas doust-e hich-kas neest
|
|
|
|
|
Report
|
|
|
|
|
18/11/2006, 11:47
|
nimportequoi
Joined on 15/11/2005
Posts 514
|
|
|
|
Jon, unfortunately no, I do everything by bank transfer or cheque (was always put off the cc machine charges!) - but I agree with you, having to give a credit card number up front as you do when you book hotels etc. would definitely be the best thing to do to avoid the situation occuring. Oh well, we'll see what happens. I'm sure it is the minority of people who 'squat', most people are honest, trouble is, you just never know!
|
|
|
|
|
Report
|
|
|
|
|
18/11/2006, 12:56
|
Pun
Joined on 18/06/2006
Posts 287
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Josephine,
Many thanks for your post, it was nice to have my comments about the big differences between long term lets and gite rentals substantiated - I got seriously slated for making this point in my previous posts - maybe some of those who chose to berate my points may read your comments and learn something!!! I still believe that 'long term rentals' would be better served in a separate section altogether on this site as they are nothing remotely related to 'gites' as the laws in France regarding responsibilities are very clear.
Once again, thank you for your interesting post.
Regards,
Pun
|
|
|
|
|
Report
|
|
|
|
|
18/11/2006, 13:06
|
nimportequoi
Joined on 15/11/2005
Posts 514
|
|
|
|
Pun, I thought Josephine was making the point that the two types of rentals are connected? That an owner thinking they were renting their gite out for one or two weeks could end up with it being a long term 'rental' but without the rent being paid? As she says, you can rent out your property for a week in the from October to end of March for a week in good faith to someone, but if the tenant chooses to stay longer, you as an owner have no right to evict them during the winter months.
|
|
|
|
|
Report
|
|
|
|
|
18/11/2006, 13:11
|
Fumanzoku
 
Joined on 23/08/2004
Posts 151
|
|
|
|
Josephine,
I received the following advice from an American owner of French property:
"In Europe you, unfortunately now, have to play
it by the rules but remember rules can always be bent....The easiest is
to change the locks then say you have lost the key, then arrange to
meet the renters, with a "locksmith" who helps to "remove" all their
possessions due to "flood damage".
In the States it's much easier. Just go with the sheriff and change
the locks. This has worked for me on strips, office blocks and houses.
Non- payers in houses are easy.....if you can't change the locks, just
haul off their vehicle and threaten to sell/tell the finance company.
In states like Florida....the law is always on the side of the
owner and passing bad checks, kiteing, is a prisonable offence and so
is staying longer then the contract states.
Unfortunately the "Good Old Days" of turning off utillites/putting
vermin/snakes in the property or appearing in the dead of night with
"large gentlemen" have gone.
Thank God I've retired......because of all this PC.....all the "fun" has gone out of the rental game!"
On a side note, (this is perhaps not the right thread) but what's the French for broken record ? "disque cassé"?
|
|
|
|
|
Report
|
|
|
|
|
18/11/2006, 14:57
|
Josephine79
Joined on 07/03/2005
Posts 19
|
![Wink [;-)]](/cs/images/emotions/wink.gif)
Re: Dodgy tenants
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Susan wrote the following post at 18/11/2006 13:06:
Pun, I thought Josephine was making the point that the two types of rentals are connected?"
Dear Susan,
you did indeed read me aright!
Jo
|
|
|
|
|
Report
|
|
|
|
|
18/11/2006, 15:04
|
Jasper
Joined on 08/11/2006
Posts 5
|
|
|
|
|
Being new to the Forum I read with interest the post regarding the 'long term let' and Pun's comments. I didn't comment then though I was amazed that somebody who as yet 'has no actual experience of gite rental' and as far as I can see has only the experience of reading about other people's experiences could be so damning of somone just trying to earn an honest living.
Perhaps I am wrong in assuming that this is what 'Gite rental' is all about and whether it is a short term or long term let then it really is of no difference. Yes before you come back with the differences in the laws regarding being a 'Landlord' lets just keep it in perspective. The whole point of these posts are purely to make us all aware that there are some really dodgy characters out there. People who on the surface behave like you or I but when it comes down to it they are capable of all sorts of wrong doings.
Pun I hope that when you do start letting out property all of your dotting the 'T's' and crossing the 'I's' that you take great pains to point out you have done will be beneficial in spotting any unscrupulous character ! Truth is I think you will be in exactly the same position as all of us out there and just relying on the goodness of human nature and crossing your fingers.......unless of course you are mystic meg in which case any idea on the lottery numbers ?
|
|
|
|
|
Report
|
|
|
|
|
18/11/2006, 15:04
|
Josephine79
Joined on 07/03/2005
Posts 19
|
|
|
|
"but what if you had a contract with someone to live there throughout Winter" Jasper
Hi Jasper, one would think so, but as the squatters are in residence and the people with the contract are not, then it's not you kicking them into the street. Presumably the logic would be for them to sit tight wherever they were before and create a "chain" - but if they are upright citizens with incomes and assets then this will not appeal. I suppose they could actually sue you for breach of contract!
In this case the law is very definitely an ***.
"is there not any urgent work that needs attending to at the property"? Could be arranged, but they've thought of that and are demanding to be paid to leave! And of course we couldn't in all conscience foist them off on to anyone else......
In this case it's very much "caveat lessor "!
Jo
|
|
|
|
|
Report
|
|
|
|
|
France Forum » Owning/Running ... » Gite Owners » Re: Dodgy tenants
|
|
|
|