Who is Passepartout Homes and How Do You Operate?Passepartout Homes is a UK-based luxury travel specialist offering high-end holiday villa rentals worldwide. In addition to premium stays, we provide personalized travel planning services tailored to our discerning clientele. While we do not own the properties we represent, we act as an authorized agent with delegated powers from private owners allowing us to offer their accommodations directly.How Do You Differ From Booking.com, Airbnb, VRBO and similar Platforms?Unlike open online listing platforms where anyone can upload a property, Passepartout Homes features only a carefully curated selection of accommodations. Properties come to us through trusted relationships with owners and undergo a rigorous vetting process before being listed.We establish formal contracts with all property owners, ensuring protection from last-minute cancellations and misrepresentations. Our rolling inspection program guarantees that all property details remain accurate and up to date. Additionally, we do not rely on owner-provided descriptions alone; we benchmark each villa against industry standards to ensure fair and realistic portrayals.How Does the Booking Process Work?We have direct access to property owners’ booking calendars, allowing us to provide accurate availability. Once you decide to proceed, we first verify with the Owner that the property is indeed available for the chosen period. Once we have permission from the Owner to proceed with the booking, we issue a Booking Form. To confirm the reservation, we require a signed Booking Form, agreement to our Terms and Conditions, and a deposit of 30% to 50% of the total rental price—this amount is set by the villa owner or manager and is typically non-refundable. The balance is due 60 to 90 days before your stay, also non-refundable. Once payments are received, we transfer funds to the owners.What Happens After I Have Booked?One of our Team Members will be in touch to start planning for your arrival. Typically we’ll set up a video call to discuss your itinerary, any requirement you may have during your stay, any activities you’d like to plan or anything else you want to share with us regarding your stay at the villa. Once we have drafted your plans, we’ll liaise with the Owners to make arrangements and bookings.Why is the Same Villa Listed Under a Different Name Elsewhere?Many property owners work with multiple agents, and each may assign different names to the same villa. We name properties based on the nearest town or village to provide geographical clarity. Additionally, pricing may vary across platforms, as we strive to include essential extras such as daily housekeeping, basic kitchen and laundry supplies, and most utilities. If you notice a price discrepancy, feel free to ask us for clarification.Are There Restrictions on Villa Rentals?During peak season, most villa owners require a minimum stay of seven nights, usually with Saturday check-ins and check-outs. Large villas often do not allow short stays due to operational constraints, and reservations that split a weekend can be harder to accommodate. Some properties offer more flexibility, especially in the off-season, where shorter stays or flexible arrival dates may be possible.What If I Can’t Travel?Since rental payments are non-refundable, we strongly advise purchasing travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations. If you cannot travel, contact us immediately to review the villa’s cancellation policy. Once a booking is canceled, it cannot be reinstated.If you notify us well in advance (8 months to a year), we may be able to negotiate a rescheduling with the villa owner. However, this is at their discretion, and flexibility decreases as the arrival date approaches since owners rely on full bookings.Do You Offer Travel Insurance?We do not provide travel insurance directly but can recommend reputable providers for coverage.Do You Offer a Travel Planning Service?Yes, every guest booking with Passepartout Homes will receive support and travel planning consultation. We will typically arrange a video call after you have placed your booking to understand your needs and curate the perfect travel experience. Concierge services vary from villa to villa, and may include airport transfers, private drivers, guided tours, excursions, wellness/Do Your Properties Accept Pets?If you are traveling with pets, please let us know before booking so we can advise whether the property requested accepts pets.Should the villa accept pets, you may be required to provide breed, a photo, age of the pet and an additional Pet Fee may apply, together with additional T&Cs.Can I Host a Wedding or Event at One of Your Properties?Several of our homes accommodate weddings, retreats and private events, though guest capacity limits apply. Some villas require an additional event fee and a contingency plan for inclement weather. Contact us for specific venue details.What Responsibilities Come with Renting a Villa?By booking a villa, guests agree to abide by specific Terms and Conditions. Some key responsibilities include:Adhering to the maximum occupancy limit; exceeding this limit may result in denied entry or eviction. Adhering to the pet policy.Preventing damage to the property and covering any incurred repair costs. If damages occur, we may withhold amounts from the breakage deposit.Using only approved service providers (e.g., chefs) arranged through Passepartout Homes or the villa owner.Respecting local noise restrictions, particularly in urban areas where late-night noise or parties may be prohibited.Following house rules, including proper waste disposal, securing outdoor furniture in high winds, and conserving energy by turning off air conditioning when not in use.Providing passport/ID numbers for each guest and paying a tourist tax.Informing Passepartout Homes about any mobility restriction, kids’ age or special needs that may require additional assistance or attention.How Can I Protect Myself from Online Scams?Passepartout Homes prioritizes security and transparency. You should never feel pressured to book quickly or provide payment without sufficient verification. To ensure legitimacy when booking a vacation rental, consider the following precautions:Request a copy of the Booking Terms and Conditions.Ask to be introduced to the villa manager.Verify the agency’s credentials online.Confirm that payments are processed via secure platforms such as Wise or Stripe.Request client testimonials or references for additional assurance.We are committed to providing a secure and reliable service, ensuring peace of mind throughout your booking and travel experience.Useful LinksBooking Conditions: https://passepartout-homes.com/booking-conditions/About Us: https://passepartout-homes.com/about-us/Credentials: XO Private, ABTOIShould you have any queries, feel free to reach out at: info@passepartout-homes.com