Helping a Host get out of change fees mentioned by Vacasa?

Question

I run a STR property management business and i'm trying to help a client get out of a Vacasa contract, but they are trying to tack on some crazy fees to let her out of the agreement.

A client i'm trying to transition to my management company is looking to get out of her Vacasa contract, but they are being extremely difficult. One item on a point of contention is that they did a terrible job of setting pricing and allowed a guest to book for $800 on a weekend that should be ~ $2500.

The guest booked via VRBO which has no financial penalties for the host to cancel. Vacasa is now saying that in order for her to cancel the reservation she might need to pay change fees for the guest to rebook.

Does anyone have any advice on how to help guide the host out of this crummy situation Vacasa put them in?

Andrew Steffens · Answer

Unfortunate circumstance but they did sign up for that exact treatment from Vacasa. We are PM too and do a lot when people switch (often from Vacasa). The best way is to play hardball as well. They will not (in my experience) sue to enforce their contract. I, if I was the owner, would change all the locks and alert Airbnb/VRBO all bookings need to be cancelled (on Vacasa account) and then list with a new listing and calendar. Still not ideal but I cannot think of a better way.

Brooklyn McCarty · Answer

I’f have my lawyer look over it, but typically a PM company is going to fight to the last booking lol

Michael Baum · Answer

Damn Vacasa...

Leslie Anne Morris · Answer

In my experience it is VERY hard to negotiate out of any existing PM contract. Help them interpret the contract and start a countdown clock to when they can get out with no fee. Or if you really want their property you can try to help them out with waiving or reimbursing some of those fees to get them sooner.

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

I probably would have canceled with Vacasa and then dealt with the low-priced weekend. Unless the contract holds the owner to all bookings after the contract is terminated. Unfortunately, from my understanding Vacasa charges fees to pretty much anyone that cancels their services with the company. Sometimes you just have to pay and be done with whole mess.

Helping a Host get out of change fees mentioned by Vacasa?

Helping a Host get out of change fees mentioned by Vacasa?

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