|
|
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions |
|
|
Fees and Taxes |
|
|
Are there any cleaning fees? |
|
|
No, the cleaning fees are included in the price of the rental. However, renters are expected to leave the apartment as clean and neat as they found it. This does not include doing the laundry, but does mean that dust bins will be emptied, dishes washed and put away and the apartment left tidy.
|
|
|
Are there any other fees or taxes? |
|
|
Payments |
|
|
The apartment is available. How long can I wait before I have to pay? |
|
|
The system works on a first paid, first reserved basis. As soon as a client pays, the system blocks all future attempts to pay. If you click on the payment link in your email message and the system allows you to pay, it means that the apartment is still available.
|
|
|
Do you accept credit cards? |
|
|
Yes, we offer two payment systems: Paypal and the French bank, CIC. Both services accept most major credit cards.
|
|
|
Do you accept American Express? |
|
|
Yes and No, Paypal accepts American Express in many countries, but not all of them. The CIC system does not yet accept American Express, but we're working on it.
|
|
|
Can I use my credit card to pay the entire rental? |
|
|
You can pay your confirmation payment and security deposit by credit card, but the balance must be paid in either cash or travellers' checks to the owner when you arrive. Remember, these are privite individuals renting their apartments, they won't have the ability to accept credit cards.
|
|
|
Can I pay in dollars? |
|
|
No, the currency in France is the euro. All payments, including travellers' checks must be paid in euros.
|
|
|
I'm not comfortable paying by credit card over the internet; is there another option? |
|
|
The internet has become very secure over the last few years and there is very little risk in paying by credit card over a secure connection such as Paypal or the CIC. However, if you're still uncomfortable paying through the internet, you can send a reply to your availability email stating that you'd prefer to pay by bank transfer. We'll send you the necessary information for the transfer. Please understand that you will be responsible for all expenses associated with the transfer.
|
|
|
Paypal does not list my country; is there another option? |
|
|
It's true that Paypal is not available in every country. If you find that your country is not listed on the Paypal site, try using the 'Credit Card' option (CIC). If neither system works, you can send a reply to your availability email stating that you'd prefer to pay by bank transfer. We'll send you the necessary information for the transfer. Please understand that you will be responsible for all expenses associated with the transfer.
|
|
|
What is your cancellation/refund policy? |
|
|
Confirmation payments are refunded at 100% if you cancel more than 60 days before your scheduled arrival date. There is no refund after that. However, Rainbow Paris provides the possibility to purchase cancellation insurance through ADAR. If you purchase cancellation insurance and you must cancel your reservation for reasons beyond your control, ADAR will reimburse you and the owner.
|
|
|
Rates |
|
|
Do you have weekly rates? |
|
|
Sometimes, The owner sets the rates and has the option of offering a reduced rate for the week (7 nights).
|
|
|
Do you have low season/high season rates? |
|
|
There is no established low season or high season. Owners can either offer discount rates for periods when they are more anxious to rent the apartment or may increase the rate for a period they consider high season.
|
|
|
Security Deposit |
|
|
Why do I have to pay a security deposit? |
|
|
How much is the security deposit? |
|
|
How do I pay the security deposit? |
|
|
The security deposit may be paid either by credit card a few weeks before your arrival or in cash when you arrive. The preferred method is by credit card before your arrival. This gives you more flexibility for dropping off the keys when you leave. It also relieves the owner from the responsibility of carrying around a lot of cash that he or she must return at the end of your stay.
|
|
|
Do I get a receipt for the security deposit? |
|
|
Your receipt is the contract you sign. In the paragraph marked 'Security Deposit' it will state whether you've already paid your security deposit to Rainbow Paris or whether you are expected to pay it to the owner.
|
|
|
When do I get my security deposit back? |
|
|
If you pay your security deposit in cash when you arrive, the owner will return it to you when you leave (as long as there is no damage to the apartment). If you pay the security deposit by credit card before your arrival, it will be recredited to your card within a week of your departure.
|
|
|
Do you often keep the security deposit? |
|
|
So far, we've never kept the entire security deposit. The few times that we've deducted money from the security deposit, the renter was aware of the fact and agreed to let us keep money to pay for the damage.
|
|
|
What are some of the reasons for keeping the security deposit? |
|
|
The security deposit is only used to pay for significant damage to the apartment. We understand that things may break during your stay. If it's a glass, we'll probably overlook it (although it would be a nice gesture for you to pay for the broken glass), if it' a lamp, an appliance or furniture, we (or the owner) will discuss it with you.
|
|
|
Insurance |
|
|
Do you offer insurance? |
|
|
Rainbow Paris works with ADAR, an insurance company that offers cancellation insurance as well as insurance in case you damage something in the apartment. For more information, you can look at the ADAR website.
|
|
|
I've bought insurance, do I need to pay the security deposit? |
|
|
Yes, you must always provide a security deposit. The security deposit covers several circumstances that insurance will not cover, such as not leaving the apartment clean, theft or intentional damage to the apartment. The owners will not rent an apartment without a security deposit.
|
|
|
The Contract |
|
|
When do I sign the contract? |
|
|
You will sign the contract with the person who meets you in the apartment (the owner or his or her representative). You do not need to sign the contract prior to your arrival and fax it to Rainbow Paris.
|
|
|
Can I sign the contract in English? |
|
|
A contract in English is not valid in France. When you confirm your reservation you will receive a contract in French which you will sign and a translation in English for your information.
|
|
|
Receipts/Proof of Reservation |
|
|
Can I get a receipt for my business? |
|
|
Rainbow Paris can provide you with a receipt. Once you've reserved your apartment write us back to request a receipt.
|
|
|
I need proof of a reservation for my Visa can you send me one? |
|
|
A receipt from Rainbow Paris is sufficient proof of a confirmed reservation for your Visa. Once you've reserved the apartment send an email to Ah Paris with the names of the persons requiring a Visa. We will send you a valid receipt that you can present to the French embassy for a Visa.
|
|
|
Arrivals/Departures |
|
|
What are your check-in and check-out times? |
|
|
Most of the owners are very flexible concerning your arrival and departure times. If no one is arriving or leaving on the same day as your arrival or departure, you can probably show up and leave when you like within reason. If the check-in/check-out times overlap between two renters we generally ask the renter in place to leave two hours prior to the arrival of the new renter or 10:00am whichever is later. We ask the arriving renter to arrive two hours after the departure of the renter in place or 12:00 noon whichever is earlier.
|
|
|
How do I get the keys? |
|
|
The owner or his or her representative will meet you in the apartment with the keys. Once you've sent your confirmation fee, we'll ask you for your arrival information and make sure someone is in the apartment to meet you with the keys when you get to Paris. Please note that arrivals and departures between 21H00 and 08H00 may be subject to a surcharge of 25 euros.
|
|
|
My flight is leaving very early in the morning, what do I do with the keys? |
|
|
If your flight is leaving very early in the morning, it may not be practical or possible for the owner to meet you for your departure. In this case, you can work something out with the owner such as leaving the keys on the table and slamming the door behind you (they lock automatically in Paris) or leaving them with a neighbour, in the mailbox, etc. If you're leaving very early we strongly advise you to pay your security deposit by credit card before you arrive.
|
|
|
I'm arriving early morning/leaving late in the evening. Can I leave my bags in the apartment ? |
|
|
You can sometimes leave your bags in the apartment while the apartment is being prepared for the next renter but you'll need to clear this with the owner. Send him or her an email before your arrival. As with all correspondence, it's a good idea to use the 'Reply to all' so everyone is informed. If you need to store your luggage somewhere for a few hours you can check your luggage into the consignment at the Gare du Nord train station. The consignment is located downstairs near the car rentals.
|
|
|
Amenities |
|
|
Are heating and electricity included? |
|
|
Yes, heating, electricity and water are included in the rental price.
|
|
|
Do I need to bring my own towels and linen? |
|
|
No, the owners provide the towels and linen, there will be enough towels for everyone and enough linen for all the beds.
|
|
|
Are there phones in the apartment? |
|
|
Once you've sent you confirmation payment, we'll send you the owner's email and phone number. You can contact him or her to ask for the number in the apartment.
|
|
|
How do we pay for calls? |
|
|
Unlike the US and Canada, the French pay for every outgoing phone call. Some owners block all outgoing calls except to numbers that allow phone cards. Phone cards can be purchased at any newstand or tobacco store. Ask for a 'Carte Téléphonique'. Even if the owner has not blocked calls, it is polite practice to either purchase a phone card or to leave money next to the phone to pay for the calls made during your stay.
|
|
|
Can I get the phone number in the apartment so I can be reached in case of emergencies? |
|
|
The phone number in the apartment should be in your confirmation email and in the directions to the apartment. If a phone is listed on the amenities list and you don't find the phone number in the apartment, you'll need to write the owner to ask for the phone number in the apartment.
|
|
|
Do the apartments have Internet? |
|
|
Some of the apartments offer high speed internet access. Click on the 'Amenities' tab to see if an internet connection is listed. If it is not listed, it is not offered.
|
|
|
Reservations |
|
|
The site shows the apartment is avaiablle but when I request the apartment I receive an email saying it's not available, why? |
|
|
It's unfortunate but this is a common occurrence. The calendars are updated by the owners. Some owners are more attentive than others. Most of the apartments are occupied by the owners who vacate the apartment when it's rented. The are a thousand reasons why an owner may not want to rent the apartment for the period you've requested. This is why it's a good idea to request several apartments then confirm the one you like best from amongst those available.
|
|
|
I'm not sure I want to rent the apartment yet, I just want to see if it's available and how much it will cost. How can I do this? |
|
|
Requesting the apartments does not obligate you to confirm your reservation. You are simply asking the owner if he or she is willing to rent it to you for the period you've requested.
|
|
|
I requested the apartment several days ago and still haven't heard back; what can I do? |
|
|
Believe me, this is just as frustrating for us as it is for you. We send a request to each owner as soon as we receive your request. Some answer immediately and others take longer. The owner may be away and unable to read his or her emails. If you haven't heard back from us in a few days, send us a reminder and we'll try to contact the owner by telephone.
|
|
