Our booking changed!

In October we booked a 3 bed townhouse at Puamana near Lainha, paid the deposit and signed the contract. Now 6 weeks before we go we%26#39;ve been told we have been %26#39;upgraded%26#39; to another property at no extra cost. This alternate property is just yards away is shown as more expensive and looks fine but there are 2 things that niggle:

First it is a single storey. On the original we had a first floor master bedroom with full length windows and balcony overlooking the sea. We loved this idea and it was a big deal for us. Now we have a master bedroom with small windows overlooking the garden - not the same. The sea view is from the living area.

Secondly we are now required to pay an additional %26#39;security deposit%26#39; of $1,000. Obviously can expect to get this back but it leaves our account for 6-8 weeks and we hadn%26#39;t budgeted for it.

I realise there is probably nothing I can do, and a quick search tells me we%26#39;re not going to find an alternative we want this late so I guess this post is just to let off steam.............!

Our booking changed!

Something doesn%26#39;t sound right about this to me - I%26#39;d review your contract and see if they aren%26#39;t violating it. Maybe you could get out of it and find something else - I sure wouldn%26#39;t pay an additional $1000 for something that you hadn%26#39;t requested.

Our booking changed!

There is no way in hell I would settle for that. I would look over the contract and raise a stink about it. An ocean view is much different than a garden view even if it is more listed as more expensive.

I DEFINITELY wouldn%26#39;t be paying any more deposit than you agreed to with the first place.

So are you clear on what exactly the ';upgrade'; entails???? Sounds like it isn%26#39;t. Is this from an owner or thru and agency?

no way would i give an extra dollar or euro for this ';upgrade'; can you turn it down and stay withthe original booking------it smells to me - if you cant keep the original booking i would cancel and find another place

Seems this is in violation of contract. You rented House A, not House B. What reason is given? Is there a problem with House A that makes it uninhabitable? In that case, you are fortunate the rentor found you a nice substitute.

The additional damage deposit is also not what was contracted. (Although there shouldn%26#39;t be any real loss if this is on a credit chit to be destroyed when you depart. If a charge went through for $1000 you%26#39;d lose, what, about $5 in interest?)

Please do tell us if you rented via an agency or an owner and how the damage deposit is secured.

The agency say the owner has now %26#39;booked%26#39; the property! The contract small print says they cannot absolutely guarantee the exact property - I did see this before I signed!

From the pictures the upgrade is probably more expensive furniture and bathroom and kitchen fittings - not what I%26#39;m looking for!

I would love to find an alternative but we go in 6 weeks and my partner is set on the Puamana site, so I%26#39;m looking, but not hopeful!

You probably have been shafted with little alternative at this late date. At least post the name of the property so others are warned.

Thanks folks for the feedback. I did manage to find an alternate property and although I have to pay a little more I feel good about taking my business elsewhere.

The agents can probably say they acted within the letter of the contract - although their behaviour was shabby imo - so I%26#39;m not sure it%26#39;s appropriate to name them or the unit?

The agents can probably say they acted within the letter of the contract - although their behaviour was shabby imo - so I%26#39;m not sure it%26#39;s appropriate to name them or the unit%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;

i personally believe that it is appropriate so that other posters on this board do not fall into the same situation as you have -- glad you got out and found another location

we post good and bad reviews of restaurants- car rentals and everything else so imo its ok to post the info

Definitely appropriate to name them. And I%26#39;d never pay a $1000 deposit because they switched places.

skin