Great house to finally meet up with our family who live locally to celebrate Christmas after the long lockdown.
(sorry this is lengthy as I want to ensure correct facts) A very sour taste remains re the "LATE DEPARTURE FEE" on top of the tariff.
We initially booked 3 nights but about a week after booking, requested a further night making a total of 4 nights. The extra night's tariff was added to the overall fee but ALSO was a late departure fee added to the overall fees. We hadn't requested a late departure, so I asked our host to re-look at the fees and please rectify what must have been an error. She replied with a lengthy explanation of at that time of year, there would be back to back bookings and a late departure would not be possible etc etc. WE DIDN'T WANT LATE DEPARTURE!! We contacted her again to clarify this and she replied : -
"the late departure is the extra night. I agree would be easier if named ‘extra night’. Technically it is a 3 day booking plus an extra night.
The total price is what you need to look at. Not at all the break-ups. (The service fee is a fee charged from VRBO/Stayz, it is automatically applied from there end).
I believe under the host fees also is included the refundable (amount), which won’t end up being charged if all goes well (which it should).
If you are uncomfortable with this however, I am more than happy for you to cancel and be refunded."
I messaged our host 3 times regarding this. Each message was quickly responded to, but we were basically told to accept it or cancel it. This was NOT an extra night's fee. This was ON TOP of our fee which was 4 nights at (rate), cleaning, service fee plus LATE DEPARTURE!!
We were not in a bargaining position. Because of the lockdown period, holidays rentals everywhere including the district we needed, were very limited as the population was not going overseas or even interstate and Christmas was the one thing we had to look forward to so bookings for Christmas everywhere were maximized. We had no choice but pay.
The late departure fee was NOT insignificant. It was roughly the price of a return flight Sydney to Perth!!
We feel this was an excessive overcharge and can only see this as our host taking advantage of the Covid lockdown by profiteering from people at their most vulnerable time.
The whole experience has left us certain not to return which is a shame since the house is great. Just a very unreasonable host.
We exited as required (by 10am). There was no refund.