Timeshare Rental Procedure

Although there are numerous possible methods for renting a timeshare, we have designed this seven-step approach to assist potential renters and timeshare owners.  This is only a recommended procedure.  Many rental transactions may differ from what we have outlined below:

1. The renter should first contact the timeshare owner to determine if particular travel dates are available.  This can be done by viewing the right hand side of the owner's full-page listing under the section labeled "Timeshare Owner's Info".  Exchanging phone numbers is highly recommended as a phone conversation will assist both parties.

2. If the renter's travel dates are available, the owner and the renter can then  agree on a rental price.  Many of the listings will mention whether or not the rental price is negotiable.  Nearly all of the rental prices found on our website are already much cheaper than what a renter would be required to pay if they were to rent directly from the resort.  Also, the renter is not required to pay taxes when renting from a timeshare owner, which can be as high as 20% in some locations!  This is what makes a timeshare rental so attractive; the huge savings involved.  Only in a few cases will you find a rental price higher than what the resort would charge.   However, you will find that the resort is usually booked full in these cases. 

3. After a price has been agreed on, most timeshare owners require that the renter make at least a portion (usually 50%) of the payment before they will reserve the unit in the renter's name.  Prepayment in full may be required by the owner because many owners can lose a substantial amount of money if the renter were to cancel and the reservation had already been made in the renter's name.  Many owners have a Free PayPal account to accept credit card payments from renters.  The renter and the owner may alternatively use a service such as escrows to eliminate any risk from either side.  Similar to a hotel, resort  or a vacation home, a timeshare owner may require a refundable security deposit.  Many owners and renters will sign a rental agreement document outlining what is expected of each other.  A legal document provides both the renter and the owner with assurance and peace of mind.  Owners can download a rental agreement document in our My Timeshare area.  A fax will provide the fastest method for exchanging the rental agreement document (if both parties decide to use one).

4. After partial or full payment has been made by the renter (if required by the owner), the owner will then contact the resort to reserve the unit in the renter's name. 

5. The renter can then contact the resort to verify that the unit has been reserved in his/her name for the specified travel dates and in the unit size that was agreed on in their conversation.  Knowing the resort's phone number and owner's unit number will make this step much easier.   In cases that involve timeshare exchange companies (RCI and Interval International), the resort may not have this information in their system for several weeks.  Therefore, some owners may instead send a copy of the rental documents to prove the rental is real and correct.   Do not be alarmed if the timeshare owner can not provide you with an exact unit number.  Depending on the resort and the type of timeshare rental the owner is offering, they may or may not be able to give you an exact unit number. 

6. The renter should then make the remaining portion of the payment (if any remains) to the timeshare owner before the check-in day (usually 30-45 days prior to check-in).  This procedure is very common in the travel industry.  Payment in full before check-in would be required whether a person was staying in a hotel, resort, or a vacation home; all require that their visitors make payment in full before arriving.

7.  The renter will then check-in at the resort on the appropriate check-in day and check-out on the appropriate check-out day.

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