There's a close-by commercial RV resort we've stopped using because they implemented a damage-deposit policy for people renting RV sites...$500...fully refunded when, after checkout, the rented site is inspected and found to have no damageAbout the policy: Apparently a renter backed over a utility pedestalAbout the resort: It's an owner-occupied operation...mostly mobile homes, but owners of 'empty' sites can put them into a rental pool administered by the resort management on a standard rental-rate scheduleThe question: Is this customary? We mostly state park camp, so not usually an issue...but we'll use local commercial places for 'weekend getaways'...and will use commercial places when most convenient as overnight stops when en route to elsewhere...Don't want to be on the road and get a 'we're going to hold $500 of your money' surprise at checkin

I do not know if its customary! I will say I have never seen anything like that. I am sure there must be something written in the sign in sheet people sign about damage to the property. If I had to stay at a place like that I would do a pre-site inspection with the owner taking pictures and writing down every scratch, chip, etc on everything.With that said, move to a different place

Never heard of this and I'd almost certainly not stay there. Just raises a flag to me.

I've never seen it. We stay at a lot of State and Private Campgrounds; a few I'd say are a bit pricey, but never one ran into something like that. But I also avoid any parks with a lot of mobile homes in the first place.

Maybe the RV park has your name and history in their computer. Your reputation has caught up with you, as you often post about "problems" you have while RVing.

(tried unsuccessfully to send this as pm to IDman...posting public)Not sure what you mean by 'often post about problems'....and, if I DO tend that way, it's kind of the nature of the beast...people more likely to post about 'the service here was awful--steer clear' than 'the service here was great--i highly recommend it'We don't know each other, and certainly I'm not owed anything...but we like this place and would consider going back but for this new policy...any chance, if I provided the phone number, you could call and check if it's still in place and across the board?

Are damage deposits at parks customary? | Good Sam Community

afidel
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2021
IMHO the correct way to handle this would be for the rental pool to self-insure. Take a small cut off each rental and place or into an account to be used for such damage. It's an RV site, the amount of potential damage is extremely limited. To expect every guest to put up a large deposit is asking for the kinds of reactions seen here, and for good reason since about 50% of landlords use damage deposits as a way to pad their rental rates while advertising a lower rate.
valhalla360
Navigator
Apr 13, 2021
trailernovice wrote:
Thanks for the input...from what I gather:
As mentioned in the original post, all sites in this one are 'owner-owned'...The management/HOA or whatever it is (they have a check-in office, like at a hotel...guess it also serves the owners...place has a manned security gate--have to establish status as a renter or an owner to get in) gets a cut from every rental of lots owners choose to include in the 'rental pool'...so management is involved...and someone went raising cain to management about 'YOU rented MY site to an idiot who knocked over MY utility pedestal...so now YOU have to pay to repair/replace it'...the 'damage deposit' is to avoid such situations in the future

I mention all this because I'm pretty sure this is an unusual arrangement (renting owner-owned sites to the general public through resort management)

Anyway, we haven't been back since that was put into place

Haven't done it with the RV but on the boat, been to condo marinas many times...never asked for a deposit.
JoeH
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2021
I've never heard of it... but if I wanted to stay there and submit the depoist, a pre-occupancy walk around with management and pictures would come first, then upon vacating the site, another walk around and if all is well, immediate refund of deposit.
pitch
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2021
That's because it was a mobile home park not an rv park. Are you a long termer? I see no reason for staying at a trailer park on vacation.
Horsedoc
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2021
A couple of things come to mind.

If this is a place where each site has a power meter, then perhaps this is to insure the site user does not leave with a power bill unpaid.

Is this place in trouble financially and is the deposit being used as a 'float' to keep their head above water? Depending on new come guests to cover the float when your refund is made.
teejaywhy
Explorer
May 12, 2021
valhalla360 wrote:

I think it was just making a joke about "Google is watching you" ...

Uh... that's no joke!

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Are damage deposits at parks customary?

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