Monthly rates-the fine print

[PeterH-350LE]

I just completed an out-of-town job staying in an RV Park on a monthly rate.
Prior to signing the rental agreement, I inquired about what would happen if I complete my job early in the second month and leave. I was told that my monthly rate would still apply, since it is the best rate anyway.
I had to pay a 250.- deposit and prepaid Month #1, then after that first month, I prepaid month #2.
On the 16th of the second month, I completed my job and notified the campground that I was leaving. I was told that I had to forfeit my 250.- deposit, since I violated their rental rules. (discounts for weekly/monthly rates are given on the units occupancy of site)
The problem I have is
1. that I inquired about it prior to and was told that my monthly rate would apply in the above scenario, but never was told that I would loose my deposit. (they now deny telling me anything like that)
2. To find the violation, one has to jump over several pages of the multipage contract and interpret the legal language in just a certain way to come to their conclusion.
Renter beware , read the fine print and get everything in writing.

[Lily&Me]

Bummer.

It’s too bad they didn’t tell you the truth.

Always read the fine print, as it trumps verbal reporting every time.

Maggie

[Tincampers]

So, what would you have paid weekly for that time period?

The big print gives, the small print takes.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Tincampers

So, what would you have paid weekly for that time period?

The big print gives, the small print takes.

Good question, but according to the agreement, irrelevant, since I already prepaid a non-refundable monthly fee. They did tell me, if I would leave my Airstream (occupied or not) in the site until the end of the month, I would get my deposit back. I am just not sure which second of the last day I would have to pull it out to avoid either being too early or too late

[OTRA15]

Shocking they would not compromise with you IMO, with a solution somewhere in the middle dollar-wise.

Schmucks!

[Protagonist]

You shouldn't have to leave your Airstream there. You paid for the site in advance, whether you're occupying it or not. As long as they don't rent it out to anyone else, you should be good through the end of the month.

And if they do rent it out to someone else while you're still paying for it, they're getting paid twice for the same site, and they owe you a refund for every day that someone else occupies the site.

Of course the contract may not say that, but ethically, that's how I see it.

[blickcd]

Not sure if you post reviews on www.campgroundreviews.com but it would help others if you wrote one there to warn others.

[AWCHIEF]

Different laws and interpretation in different states. Always read contracts from end to end. Before signing is the time to ask questions or clarify confusing legalize. Except no statements verbally always get answers to questions in writing.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Having lived a lot of different places, each state has it's own unique "approach" to this and that. On top of that, different cities in a state can have their own "customs". My favorite was the place that a one day stay past the 1 year rental automatically signed you up for another entire year. They also had some really interesting rules about what constituted you still being "in residence".

Yes, this stuff can be a lot of fun !!

Bob

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

. . .
. . . always get answers to questions in writing.

Exactly. In this day and age of cell phones etc. being so ubiquitous, it is easy to ask the campground to email or text you a statement covering the contract modification. When signing the agreement, just note an amendment existing in the email/text.

Still shocked the CG did not find a middle ground on this.

Tempting to call them out publically, but that is generally proscribed here.

Thanks for the heads up, PeterH.

Peter

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

You shouldn't have to leave your Airstream there. You paid for the site in advance, whether you're occupying it or not. As long as they don't rent it out to anyone else, you should be good through the end of the month.

And if they do rent it out to someone else while you're still paying for it, they're getting paid twice for the same site, and they owe you a refund for every day that someone else occupies the site.

Of course the contract may not say that, but ethically, that's how I see it.

I'm with Protag on this. Why should it matter to them if your rig is there or not? You're paying for the site.

[Airtandem]

where in Texas were you staying? i'm going to Texas and would like to know in advance.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I'm with Protag on this. Why should it matter to them if your rig is there or not? You're paying for the site.

I completely agree, on top of it they can rent out the site for the remainder of the month and double dip.
The only reason I can think of is that they trying to keep people from getting a monthly rate with the intention of leaving after 2 weeks or so and saving some money. In my case however, I already was into the second month of my stay and made it clear from the beginning that I may leave early pending job completion.
They should have told me that I would loose my deposit when I inquired about early departure, instead they told me that the monthly rate will apply, since it is the cheapest option.
But, of course, as mentioned before, nobody remembers that conversation.
The staff told me that they would talk to the owners and present my concern. Tomorrow it will be a week and I have not heard from them.
For legal reasons and forum policies, I can not name the RV park, but a Google search revealed others loosing their deposits.
Texas tenant law is clear: triple the deposit and attorney fees, if the Landlord is found to be breaking the law.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

Texas tenant law is clear: triple the deposit and attorney fees, if the Landlord is found to be breaking the law.

Provided you choose to press charges and take them to court.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

I just completed an out-of-town job staying in an RV Park on a monthly rate.
. . .

Could you please tell us the city, at least? This would let others keep their antennas up for a repeat performance, without violating anyone's rights or duties here.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Peter

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

Good question, but according to the agreement, irrelevant, since I already prepaid a non-refundable monthly fee. They did tell me, if I would leave my Airstream (occupied or not) in the site until the end of the month, I would get my deposit back. I am just not sure which second of the last day I would have to pull it out to avoid either being too early or too late

Sounds like they are more concerned about having empty spots than happy customers. None of this is logical. You didn’t ask for half your second month rent back, so what’s their loss?

I was trying to see what the daily rate would have been for six weeks.

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Could you please tell us the city, at least? This would let others keep their antennas up for a repeat performance, without violating anyone's rights or duties here.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Peter

Steps up, antenna down! Saw this sign at an RV Park in New Mexico.😂😂😂

Happy Thanksgiving.

[tevake]

Sorry that happened to you Peter.
Nice project by the way, I would have enjoyed spending so much time amongst that collection, reckon you enjoy them yourself.

And a question for the readers here.
Just so I understand why is it that folks that are not good for their word or are unethical in there way s of dealing with customers, are protected from exposure in a tight community that could well end up doing business with them?
Is there some sort of liability concern for our host?

The fact that people are shielded from exposure in a case like this just lets them continue the practice with no concequences.
And doesn't allow us to avoid them.

Thanks Richard

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Tincampers

Sounds like they are more concerned about having empty spots than happy customers. None of this is logical. You didn’t ask for half your second month rent back, so what’s their loss?

I was trying to see what the daily rate would have been for six weeks.

Daily rate is $45.-/50.-. The weekly rate AND daily rate for my second month stay would have been less than what I paid for the entire month, after they kept the deposit. Plus I had to pay for my own Electricity, which is included in the daily rate.
This is the line in the contract they are using against me. The entire contract is governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, the legality remains to be verified.

[Lily&Me]

You might consider opening a dispute with the Better Business Bureau...


Maggie