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Re: How can I rent a timeshare? (by Marie M.):

I own 15 timeshare weeks. Because of changing family circumstances, I have been renting, rather than using, several weeks over the past few years.

Some are "fixed" weeks i.e. a definite week in the same unit each year. I keep a copy of our deed and the most recent maintenance fee bill, ready to fax, send as an Email attachent, or by regular mail. I give the potential renter the phone number of the Reservation or Member Services section of the resort to call and verify that we own the unit and that all maintenance and other fees are paid up to date. This is important because many resorts have the right to take possession of the week for that year, and rent it out themselves, if the owner has not paid all fees by a specified date.

I also send a rental contract for the person to sign and return with a check for a 50%non-refundable deposit. The balance is due 30 days before the check-in date.

If I own a "floating " week, and plan to rent it, I confirm what I believe to be a popular week e.g. Christmas, President's week, Easter, 4th of JUly, etc... In many instances, one must call one year in advance to get the week. When I place an ad for the week, I state that other dates may be available, and I will check with the resort upon request. Some resorts charge a small fee for making a date change; others do it for free. However, I will not make the actual change until I am sure the person who says they want it actually sends me a deposit. I'm not going to give up a highly desirable week until I am sure I have a firm deal.

But if a potential renter wants to rent the same "floating" week that I have reserved, I just notify the resort that someone else will be using our unit, and I provide the person's name, address, and phone number. The resort then prepares a new reservation form in the renter's name. Some resorts will send it to me AND to the renter by Email or regular mail. One small resort I own at will only send the new res. to me and I then send it on to the renter. The resort says they do it this way because they want to be sure that the owner actually made the request and is fully aware of it.

I personally tell my renters to send me a post dated check and I promise that I will not deposit or cash it until they have proof in their hands that the week will be available for them. I know there are some potential problems with this method. The renter could change their mind and put a stop payment on the check. And I could probably cash the check right away because I've been told that post dates on a check are not legally binding. I'm not sure if this is true but I would never do it regardless. When I give my word, I mean it.

I always speak by phone with anyone wishing to rent from me. I need to know that they are responsible people who will not cause damage or be annoying to the other guests. Everyone so far has been a mature couple, usually homeowners like us, with responsible jobs. Every rental has gone smoothly for all of us. I have one senior couple who has rented our Cancun unit every February for the past 8 years. A school psychologist is renting one of our units for the third time in April.

With their permission, I tell potential renters that they are welcome to call these people to verify that I am an honest person who handles timeshare rentals responsibly. Funny thing is that no one has yet taken me up on this offer. I guess after we talk to each other for awhile by phone, they feel comfortable doing business with me.

I know there is the possibility that someone might try to rent something they don't own, but I have never actually heard of this happening. A non-owner would not likely have enough knowledge to pull this off. And considering how little money is involved, and how certain it is that the crime will be discovered, I really don't think it is going to happen much, if at all.

Most timeshare owners are mature, intelligent people who can be trusted.

But still "due diligence" is necessary to be sure the dates are correct and that the resort has been properly notified about who will be using the unit.

If you do not want to spend the time and energy doing this yourself, then just use the escrow program Redweek has set up. It costs $100. but it gives you 100% protection.