You have found an apartment you like, the dates are free and, good news, the price suits you too. From here on there are six steps, and the order really matters. Most guests skip it and send the deposit straight away, and every problem that follows comes from the steps they skipped. Done properly, the daily rental booking process takes about twenty minutes in total and leaves no surprises at the door. Let's go through it.
Step one: what should your first message say?
In your first message, be sure to state how many people are coming, which dates, how many nights you will stay and why you are coming. The reason may sound odd, but it helps. A guest who says they are coming for an exam is given an apartment facing the quiet side, a group coming for a wedding gets two apartments in the same building, and a family that mentions children is pointed to a larger-capacity unit. The operator steers its available options accordingly. That first message also shows you how quickly and clearly the other side replies.
Step two: clarify what the price covers
Yes, you have the nightly rate. Now find out what is in it. Electricity, water, natural gas and internet are included in most places. Parking, an extra bed, late check-out and mid-stay cleaning may be charged separately. If you are travelling in winter, who pays for heating is a topic of its own. If your plan runs longer than a week, ask for the weekly rate at this step too, because the rate does not change once the booking is confirmed. So which items are overlooked most often? Parking and mid-stay cleaning.
Step three: verify the apartment
Be careful: listing photos can be out of date. Asking the operator for a recent photo or a short video is a normal request. Asking for a photo of the permit plaque by the door does the same job, and the steps for choosing a safe apartment lead to the same place. Since Law No. 7464 came into force on 1 January 2024, this plaque is found at the entrance of every registered apartment. A guest who asks for the permit number is not seen as strange; registered operators actually expect the question.
Step four: payment and cancellation
The deposit amount, when the balance is due, the cancellation deadline and the refund terms should all appear in the same message. A request for full payment up front and off the books is the biggest red flag. Once you have paid, keep the receipt. Everything agreed at this step should be in writing, because unwritten terms lead to arguments later.
Step five: the day before arrival
The door number, floor, how the keys will be handed over and who to contact are settled in advance, because arriving in the city at eleven at night without knowing who to call doubles the fatigue of the whole day. Guests arriving by plane or bus should share their arrival time, because check-in starts at 14.00 and early arrivals can leave their luggage for safekeeping. Those driving should ask where the parking is. This five-minute conversation saves the whole arrival day.
Step six: at the door
Your ID details are recorded and reported to the police. This is mandatory, and the responsibility lies with the registered operator. When you walk in, check that the hob, hot water, internet and, if there is one, the air conditioning work; the standard equipment list is checked against this. If something is missing, say so within the first hour, because a problem reported after the second day is harder to fix.
Six steps take twenty minutes. Every step you skip comes back as a question at the door.
Key facts
- Step 1: First message: number of guests, dates, nights, reason for the trip
- Step 2: What the price includes and any extra charges
- Winter extra: Who pays for heating
- Long stays: Ask for weekly and monthly rates at this step
- Step 3: Recent photos, video, permit plaque, permit number
- Legal basis: Law No. 7464, 1 January 2024
- Step 4: Deposit, payment schedule, cancellation, refund, receipt
- Red flag: Full payment up front and off the books
- Step 5: Door, floor, key handover, arrival time
- Check-in: 14.00; early arrivals can leave luggage
- Step 6: ID registration and apartment check
- Check-out: 12.00
- Total time: About 20 minutes
- Bookings: +90 530 089 37 27
Frequently Asked Questions
What should the first booking message include?
The number of guests, the dates, how many nights you will stay and the reason for your trip. The reason helps the operator point you to the right apartment.
When is payment made?
A deposit is paid when booking and the balance is usually paid at check-in. A request for full payment up front and off the books is a red flag.
What should be arranged for arrival day?
The door number, floor, key handover and your arrival time should be settled the day before. Check-in starts at 14.00 and check-out is at 12.00.
