Think carefully before deciding to rent privately You may be able to get a great bargain by renting privately and paying the owner directly, but if something is wrong with the booking or the accommodation then you will have: Limited chances of redress Less chance of a refund Almost no chance of being moved to alternative accommodation Location, location, location If you like to be a recluse or prefer to be in the heart of everything, then location is probably your number one priority, so insist on seeing maps and asking questions like, "Where is the nearest bar?""How far do I need to go to buy some bread?"Or, "where is the nearest nightclub".
Google Earth Possibly one of the greatest things at the moment is being able to easily look at where your villa is, by just punching in the postcode, street name or business name into Google Earth.
Quality of these satellite images varies, but for example, my home in the French Alps is fantastically clear, you can even see my car in the car park outside my apartment.
Don't trust the description Agents and operators tend to describe properties fairly objectively, whereas private owners tend to exaggerate and not mention the drawbacks.
If you think the description is sketchy, then ask for more information and photos.
Ask questions If you have specific needs or requirements, don't be afraid to ask about them.
For example I once rented a house in Spain with four floors and eight staircases which was totally unsuitable for my daughter who had only just started walking.
Choose your time If you can travel in June, rather than July and August you will pay much less.
If you do have to go in the school holidays then the last week of August is usually the cheapest.
Negotiate A hotel owner is not too bothered if a few rooms do not sell, but a villa owner is facing zero income against a tidy sum.
So, if you spot a hole in someone's calendar, then offer to fill it for a 'good price'.
They may jump at it.
Otherwise if it is a late booking, ask for a discount.
"If you don't ask, you don't get".
Look for mid week bookings If you find a villa who will take bookings from Wednesday to Wednesday rather than Saturday to Saturday, you can make great savings on flights if you are using budget airlines such as Ryanair or EasyJet.
Check for hidden extras Be aware that some owners have been known to charge for:

• Bed linen

• Pool heating

• Electricity use

• Cleaning, it is quite common that this gets added on at the end of your stay

Protect your money All tour operators are legally required to bond, or protect the money you pay to them in advance of your holiday.
If they go out of business before you take your holiday you will get a refund.
However, some villa agencies who offer 'rental only' do not have to bond, some do, but some do not.
With private bookings, individuals are unlikely to go out of business.
The safest way to pay is by credit card direct to the owner.
Have a great holiday!