Whatshot

2026
All
September
2025
All
November
All
2024
All
June
All
April
All
2023
All
March
All
2022
All
2021
All
2020
All
March
All
February
All
2019
All
December
All
November
All
October
All
September
All
August
All
July
All
June
All
May
All
April
All
March
All
February
All
2018
All
December
All
November
All
October
All
September
All
August
All
July
All
June
All
May
All
April
All
March
All
February
All
2017
All
December
All
November
All
October
All
September
All
August
All
July
All
June
All
May
All
April
All
March
All
February
All
January
All
2016
All
December
All
November
All
October
All
September
All
August
All
July
All
June
All
May
All
April
All
March
All
February
All
January
All
2015
All
December
All
November
All
October
All
September
All
August
All
July
All
June
All
May
All
DHS
April
All
March
All
February
All
January
All
2014
All
December
All
November
All
October
All
September
All
August
All
July
All
June
All
KZN
May
All
April
All
March
All
February
All
January
All
2013
All
December
All
November
All
October
All
September
All
August
All
July
All
June
All
May
All
April
All
March
All
February
All
January
All
2012
All
December
All
November
All
October
All
September
All
August
All
July
All

The dos and don'ts of last-minute holiday renting

The dos and don'ts of last-minute holiday renting

Author: Pranil Maharaj
Date: 2017-01-13
At this time of year a surprising number of people who had been planning to stay home for the festive season will suddenly decide to go away, and frantically start scouring online and classified advertisements for last-minute holiday rental deals.

Unless you want to risk extreme disappointment, you really do need to slow down, avoid being pressured into a decision and be very careful who you do business with and what you sign up for.

Crooks and con-artists thrive on desperation and hasty decisions and they use all sorts of bait to tempt you into parting with your money and getting nothing in return.

What to consider before making the final decision:

1. It isbetter to deal with an established and reputable companythat manages a large portfolio of short-term rental properties and will usually have several options to offer you.

2. You really need toget into the specifics.

3.Beware of 'hidden' costs, such as fees for additional guests, pets, cleaning and even TV-hire or internet access.

4. It is important tobe aware that you may not get a refund of any depositsor other payments made upfront if your plans change, especially if your booking falls into high season.

5.Also, beware of 'housemates from hell'.