Originally Posted by
Katys Grandad
Legally you have much less protection if this situation arises with a private individual than you do with a 'trader' like a bonded travel operator who will be bound by consumer law and the terms of their professional association bond. You would also have some protection paying with a credit card which I suspect not all private home owners offer.
Think of it like buying a car from a private individual or a trader. You have to take care and be aware of the risks of buying privately and have an idea who you're buying from but, if you do that, things will probably be OK. Buy at a motorway service station via a mobile phone number from somebody you've never met or will never see again and you'll probably get stung.
I've been renting from a private individual for many years with whom I've built a trusting business relationship. I know the risk but have assessed it and am happy to continue. Would I pay up front now for 2013 with them? - probably not.
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