Dictionary
This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.
Emergency Assistance
If you become sick or injured on your trip and are in need of Emergency Assistance, the assistance provider will: 1. arrange for and transport you to the nearest suitable medical facility; 2. provide you with assistance to return home; 3. provide round-trip economy airfare to send someone of your choice to be with you if you are traveling alone and are in the hospital for more than 7 days; 4. return your minor children home with an escort if they are left unattended due to your death or your hospitalization for at least 7 days; 5. arrange for and transport your remains to your home or place of burial in event of your death.
Origin: CSA Travel Protection
Equity
A landlord's financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on it's mortgage and other liens.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Eviction
The lawful expulsion of an occupant from a property.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Excessive Cleaning
When a vacation rental home or other lodging unit requires cleaning great than for normal and usual usage, excessive cleaning is required and for which the guest is usually charged
See also: Interim Clean, Out Cleaning, Housekeeping Charge Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Exchange
Where owners of one property exchange use of it for use of another property and from that properties owner. Sometimes arranged by a third party Exchange company.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Fair Housing Act
Federal statute prohibiting discrimination against renters based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents of legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Farm Stay
Usually operating farms that accept guests for lodging, food service, horse back riding and other farm life activities and experiences.
See also: Guest Ranch, Due ranch Origin: Wm. May Link: GuestRanchers.org
FIT (Free Independent Travel)
Individual travel in which a tour operator has previously arranged blocks of rooms at various destinations in advance for use by individual travelers. These travelers travel independently, not in a group, usually by rental car or public transportation.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Fleece
Another word for towels, wash cloths and math mats
See also: Textiles, linens, towels Origin: May, William
Fractional
Describes a lodging property, usually a vacation home, owned by more than one person or party. Usually organized as an association having multiple owners who share use of the home on a pre-determined arrangement, each getting different times of the year.. In some, but not all, states fractionals are governed by timeshares but operate differently with owners having control over choice of manager, amenities and later sale or disposition of the parties.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Front Desk
An office, accessible to guests during certain hours, where they can arrange the booking of lodging facilities and other types of travel services. And where, if a booking has been pre-arranged, where they may Check In to receive keys and guest instructions as well as Check Out.
See also: Central Reservations, Check In, Check Out Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Furnishings
All furniture, equipment, appliances, artwork and other assets located inside a lodging property or on its grounds.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
GDS - Global Distribution Systems
Worldwide computer networks, originally developed to offer lodging, airfare, rental cars and other services to Travel Agents who, in turned booked guests into them using the network. There are four different GDS such as Amadeus Sabre, Galileo & World span,
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Geographic Area
Also known as a Geographic Area. Can be a small or large area, from a building or destination up to a state of country. Used in conjunction to with describing real estate.
See also: Geographic Area Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Gleaning
In agriculture, farmers allow charity groups to enter fields already picked, to take left over crops. In lodging, charitable groups are allowed to use or sell nights unlikely to sell. This provides benefit to the charities, promotional value to properties and goodwill for all.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Gratuities
The formal term for leaving money for those who serve such as wait staff, housekeepers and others. Not common in all countries or for all jobs. Wait staff are tipped in most places. Gratuities for Housekeepers are less common.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Guaranteed Reservation
An option for guests who wish to have their lodging property held for their use regardless of time of arrival, or failure to arrive. In that case the guest is always charged. After one night of no show, the owner or manager may elect but is not obligated to rent the property to another party.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Guesstimating
Projecting income, events or news with an admission that it is not based on science, or known foundation for the projection.
See also: Guesttimating, projection Origin: Vacation Rental
Guest
A person or persons who rents a real estate property for a short stay. As opposed to a "Tenant" who rents a property for a longer period. The difference between a Guest and a Tenant is usually determined by local governing bodies such as states, counties, cities or home owner associations. Many jurisdictions consider guests as those who stay for 30 days or less. Tenants and Guests have different rights of use for the property.
See also: Tenant Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Guest Obligations
As common courtesy, guests have an obligation to treat people and property with respect and within normal and usual reason. For vacation rental units those obligation include common sense items, such as turning off lights when not in use, taking care with fireplaces and barbecues, not creating noise or nuisance.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association