Dictionary
Obscured Rent by Owner (RBO)
When a website makes a property owners identify hidden thereby requiring guests to only communicate through their website dashboard, the rental is Obscure.
See also: Rent by Owner, Rbo Origin: May, William Link: VRIA.org
Ocean Front Accommodations
Buildings or rooms and living units in a building which is along side the ocean shore. Can be major oceans or estuaries. Generally means there are no other buildings between the building and the water. Not necessarily Beach Front.
See also: Beach Front Origin: Vacation Rental Association
OTA - Open Travel Alliance
An organization that engineers computer and technical specifications to ensure traveler and supplier information flow smoothly throughout travel, tourism and hospitality. Membership includes major hotels, airlines and Global Distribution Firms.
Origin: OpenTravel.org Link: OpenTravel.org
Out Clean Fee
A certain amount above and beyond the rental rate that is charged to renters to cover the cost of cleaning the property after departure.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
PayPal
A fast and convenient online payment service. People like the convenience of this service since money is transferred automatically over the internet, directly from their credit card or personal checking account.
Origin: Redstone Systems
Per Person Pricing (PPP)
Often used for Vacation Rental homes, a pricing model where a minimum nightly rate is set for a property allowing a base or normal number of occupants. Guests pay an additional fee for each guest over the normal, up to a maximum number of guests allowed in the property. The additional fee is often much higher for unapproved guests.
See also: Dynamic Rates Origin: Istay
Reciprocal Program
Some managers give property owners a 10% rental discount when staying in other properties handled by the manager. Usually this is optional and only available to owners who provide the same discount to other owners. Due to seasonality the discount may not be available in all properties at all times - - especially during high seasons.
Origin: William May
Reservation Deposit
A certain amount of money collected upon booking that validates the rental contract. The reservation deposit can convert automatically in a damage deposit.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Resort View
When guests can see some or all of the resort they are staying in, from some area of the property, not necessarily from all area of the property.. May include Full, Partial or Peekaboo Views
See also: View, Beach View, City View, Mountain View, Water View Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Self Catering
A term sometimes used for vacation rentals primarily in Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Also applies to furnished apartments without an onsite cook.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Service Animal (Dog)
A Service Animal has a skill which directly reduces the effect of a disability and so can legally accompany their disabled handler anywhere they can legally go. In the United States, Service Animals are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. As Therapy Dogs do not provide direct assistance they are not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Not to be confused with therapy animals which have no protection under the Act.
See also: Therapy Animal Origin: FreeMyPaws.org Link: FreeMyPaws.org
Setting
The type of area in which a property is located. Such as at the Beach, in the Mountains, part of a Resort or in the City.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Ski-In Accommodations
Building, rooms or living units in a ski resort area where guests can ski to the building or reasonably close to it. Could require guests to remove skis to access the building or its grounds. Not necessarily down hill to the building but access would usually be without major obstacles between the slopes and the accommodations.
See also: Ski-Out Accommodations, Ski-In Ski-Out Accommodations Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Ski-In and Ski-Out Accommodations
Building, rooms or living units in a ski resort area where guests can get out to access the ski lifts and return from the ski lifts directly from the slopes. Could require guests to walk short distances to reach snow. Not necessarily down hill to and from building to the slopes but access would usually be without major obstacles between the slopes and the accommodations.
See also: Ski-In Accommodations, Ski-Out Accommodations Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Ski-Out Accommodations
Building, rooms or living units in a ski resort area where guests can get out to access the ski lifts. Could require guests to walk short distances to reach snow. Not necessarily down hill from building to the slopes but access would usually be without major obstacles between the slopes and the accommodations.
See also: Ski-In Accommodations, Ski-In and Ski-Out Accommodations Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Spa/Pool Heating Fee
A certain amount above and beyond the rental rate charged to renters wishing to use the heater on your pool or hot tub.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Therapy Animal (Dog)
Provides affection and comfort to people in Hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, people with learning difficulties, and stressful situations such as disaster areas.
Not to be confused with Service Animals or dogs, Therapy Dogs and their Handlers have no Legal rights. Institutions may invite, limit, or prohibit access to therapy dogs. If allowed, these institutions will have their own requirements for Therapy Animals.
Therapy dogs are not Service Animals. A Service Animal has a skill which directly reduces the effect of a disability and so can legally accompany their disabled handler anywhere they can legally go. In the United States, Service Animals are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. As Therapy Dogs do not provide direct assistance they are not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
See also: Service Animal (Dog) Origin: FreeMyPaws.org Link: FreeMyPaws.org
Towels
Fleece based materials used for bath towels, hand towels, wash clothes, bath mats
See also: Textiles, fleece, bedding Origin: May, William
Unauthorized Guest
Property occupants who were not pre-approved by the lodging manager and for whom additional charges will apply. Also referred to as Undisclosed Guest.
See also: Undisclosed Guest, Maximum Occupancy, Normal Occupancy, Sleeps Occupancy, Disclosed Guest, Drop-In Guests Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Undisclosed Guest
Property occupants who were not pre-approved by the lodging manager and for whom additional charges will apply. Also referred to as Unauthorized Guest.
See also: Unauthorized Guest, Maximum Occupancy, Normal Occupancy, Sleeps Occupancy, Disclosed Guest, Drop-In Guests Origin: Vacation Rental Association