Worst experience, not happy
Submitted: April 24, 2012
Stayed: February 2012
We have rented homes on several occasions (Wisp, Snowshoe, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth) using Home Away, and sadly this time was a let down. The owner is unprofessional and slow to respond. Did not provide a secure payment method, and we were doubting this place even existed just days before our trip (the community changed street numbers so addresses are unlisted).
The home itself was nice, right on a beautiful lake -- but not in the best shape: had an odor, super thin walls, one of the bedrooms had an very lumpy bed (although another had an upscale memory foam bed), and we didn't use thier linens b/c they were wrinkled and damp! A clump of pillowcases, still wet from washing (?) were jammed inbetween a bedsheet and somehow still got folded and stored in the closet. There was expired food from a previous renter still in the freezer and a forgotten bag of trash covered in snow and ice by the steps when we arrived. We were turned off but still had a good time on the slopes that weekend. A month later (en route to another ski destination) I inquired about my security deposit (which was promised w/in 2 weeks), to find out that our security deposit was in danger b/c after we left there was garbage with ripped-open trash bags strewn all over the dumpster area. If a mishap like this indeed occured b/c of our rent, I would expect to have been notified ASAP, not a month after the fact. Very suspicious at how they were so slow to inform us, but quick to blame us for their problems with animal proofing their garbage. Hope those critters at least enjoyed their stay at this property, we can't recommend it for humans though. Save yourself from grey hairs and stay away from this place. There are plenty of comparable places in the area.
Owner's Response: My response to this review is the same as I would do with any issue that presents itself with any of our properties. Same day. I own properties in the Poconos, Jersey Shore and Key West for over 25 years. I do open them up to the public from time to time. The reviewer is correct that we do not offer a secure payment method. Check is fine. The reviewer is also correct that the county changed the addresses this past fall.
Yes the home is nice and right on the lake. It is in our instructions and rental contract that guests are to bring their own linens. Our own linens are folded and are place in a closet as they should be. The ice cream in the freezer was mine. Guilty as charged. I was glad it was still there when I arrived. A trash bag by the steps could have been forgotten by the cleaning people. For this I apologize.
The issue that I was really disappointed about was the trash. Two large trash cans are supplied with in a garbage cage to protect it from animals. This guest didn't bother to use the cans and the result was trash all over the property. How much trash can be produced in a weekend that could not be put it in two cans? The real issue is a $50 deduction from the security deposit for having to pick up their trash.
Their review speaks for itself when the owner is blamed for address changes, linens not for their use, secure payment method, thin walls but not addressing their use of my home. Glad they still had a good time.
Helpful votes: 8/10
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