Paying 'rent'

Replies: 11 - Last Post: Feb 18, 2013 7:43 AM Last Post By: Rickie_01

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Feb 13, 2013 1:12 PM
Posts: 46

Paying 'rent'

I just got off the telephone with the owner of the independent apartment I have been trying to secure since Dec.16. His English is not so good, my Spanish... not so good.
I am going to call back at dinner time, when his wife, (whom he says speaks better English) is home.

I have seen posts about not paying all the money owed up front. All of those posts were for periods longer than 1 month. I want to book this place for 30 days. The question I have is... do I rent for 1 month but pay weekly? How does one handle payment for a monthly rental? The place is $30.00 per day, if that makes any difference. I may negotiate a better price tonight. Not so sure how to handle that either! Ha!

Rickie_01

Feb 13, 2013 3:36 PM
Posts: 576

I have seen posts about not paying all the money owed up front. The question I have is... do I rent for 1 month but pay weekly? How does one handle payment for a monthly rental? The place is $30.00 per day.

I suggest you spend the first couple of days to see if this casa meets your requirement as to location, privacy, safekeeping of your money and return tickets and compatibility with the owner. If it does and you are happy with the casa tell the owner you prefer to pay at the end of each week along with any meals for that week and now would be a good time to discuss the cost of washing your clothes and any other extras you need like using the phone and morning coffee. I wouldn’t pay the full amount up front or pay for a meal plan. Pay as you go and keep your options open and good luck.

travistouchdown

Feb 13, 2013 4:41 PM
Posts: 242

I agree with #1 about spending some days there to see if it fits you. If it does then you could offer to pay them up front for 4 weeks or how long you have left if you got a rate of 25 cuc per day instead of 30. Unless they run a very popular casa thats usually full 365 days a year then its a good chance that they will accept your offer, if not then i would recommend paying weekly or more regular than that in case you decide to switch to another casa, neighborhood or city...

travistouchdown

Feb 13, 2013 4:42 PM
Posts: 242

...not possible to edit posts anymore. I forgot to say that if you don't pay up then you pay f.ex for the week you have stayed (or days) not for the coming weeks or days.

chefhagan

Feb 13, 2013 5:35 PM
Posts: 2,396

Good advice from Rickie and you should be able to get a cheaper price for a month. If you like the joint, there is nothing wrong with paying the month up front.

spa_trip_is_on_me

Feb 14, 2013 8:37 AM
Posts: 452

Ditto Rickie.

30/day is absolute top dollar though... it better be REALLY nice for 900/month... I'm talking spectacular...

Cheers,
Terry

SeekerKell

Feb 14, 2013 4:40 PM
Posts: 46

Well... I spoke with the wife/owner last night. She became abrupt when I asked about a discounted rate. She said she would discuss it with her husband and e-mail me this morning. I haven't received an e-mail from her yet.

Thanks for the advise. I will apply it to the next place I try to rent. Ha!

Rickie_01

Feb 14, 2013 5:23 PM
Posts: 576

She became abrupt when I asked about a discounted rate

From experience you shouldn’t negotiate a lower price over the phone or internet. Wait till you get there and check the place out and meet him face to face to see his facial expression and body movements when negotiating a month rent with 2 nice tenants that will respect his property and not have any loud parties. Of course $30 doesn’t leave much room for negotiation if you found this casa thru the internet because the owner has to pay a commission for the listing.

I would pay the asking price and the next day walk around the neighbor to compare casas before making up your mind and than ask if he can make you a better offer to rent or include breakfast in the price.

SeekerKell

Feb 14, 2013 5:39 PM
Posts: 46

Rickie, the place I am after is completely independent. No breakfast, coffee, etc...
I am one person, a quiet and respectful tenant.

I feel bad about offending someone. (Bad karma!) It wasn't my intention.

I'll give it a day or two and see if I hear from them. I assume she was e-mailing from her work. Maybe she was away ill today. Who knows.

markharf

Feb 17, 2013 8:41 PM
Posts: 1,953

Business is a face-to-face proposition in Cuba (and much of the rest of the world). Relationships come first, before any business is discussed. Potential misunderstandings are virtually certain over the phone. There is no upside.

Find a casa, stay there, establish a relationship, then see what can be worked out. You'll find that people are used to working together toward solutions, but that trying to divorce this from being embedded in the social matrix is highly fraught.

Mark

johnavery

Feb 17, 2013 11:41 PM
Posts: 60

Simple. Book for 3 days and if you like it book for 27 more. If they get a reservation for 2-3 days, they will cancel the other person for you. However if the place is horrible and you pay 30 days you are stuck. Cuba is strange in the sense that there isnt a correlation between price and value. The price of a room is 25CUC. Doesn't matter if it is horrible or wonderful. In our world a wonderful room would rent for 50 and a horrible one for 10.

If the woman is being angry like that I would suggest either finding another room or booking for 3 days. If you like it stay, if not change. My guess is that she is angry because she already had plans for your $900.

Rickie_01

Feb 18, 2013 7:43 AM
Posts: 576

Cuba is strange in the sense that there isnt a correlation between price and value

I wonder if that applies to some of the woman we date in Cuba? ……lol

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