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COVID-19 Related Cancellations

[Q=timothys142] We have an upcoming trip to Aruba. The week was rented through a listing on Redweek and paid for via check directly to the owner. The Marriott property has authorized cancellation due to Aruba banning all inbound international travel. There is no way to get there. The owner is not responding to our requests for information, guidance, cancellation. Has anyone dealt with this?[/Q] A proper rental agreement should include clear and specific written terms and conditions, mutually agreed to in advance by both signatories, addressing cancellations and refunds. Many such agreements very clearly state that there will be no refunds under any circumstances, often even specifically encouraging the prospective tenant to independently purchase trip cancellation insurance. If you have no formal rental agreement at all, you are essentially subject to the decision and generosity of the owner (who incurs maintenance fee costs, whether that week gets used or not). If you have no executed rental agreement at all, the best you can hope for may be a refund of whatever amount you paid that exceeds the owner's incurred maintenance fee costs for that week. It is certainly not your fault that you cannot get there --- but it's not the owner's fault either. I hope that it ultimately works out to your mutual satisfaction in these difficult times and unusual circumstances.