US OPEN potential rental concerns

No doubt, if you've checked the want ads, you've seen all of those US Open home rental listings. Hundreds of Tulsaâ€™s hope to cash in on a shortage of hotel rooms for the week, but there are

Tuesday, June 5th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

No doubt, if you've checked the want ads, you've seen all of those US Open home rental listings. Hundreds of Tulsaâ€™s hope to cash in on a shortage of hotel rooms for the week, but there are reasons to be cautious.

KOTV's Sean Mossman says the biggest concern for many is the safety of their personal belongings. For others, it's the thought that the family they've offered their home to may not show up. The owners of Trinity Farms Bed and Breakfast know the hazards of hosting guests for the week. But, they couldn't have counted on the call they got from a man who rented all three rooms for the US Open. Just a week before his scheduled arrival, the man said he and his guests wouldn't make it. Now the Inn is scrambling to find someone to rent those three rooms. "If we need to, I could probably go stand in front of the open at southern hills and just hold up a sign and get the rates in at a good price."

In fact, Brendan McBratney sees the cancellation as a small blessing. Their renter booked the rooms last summer at a great rate. Now the Bed and Breakfast could get three times more money from new guests. There's is another group of renters getting a lot of mention this week. It's homeowner trying to cash in on the US Open frenzy. But, insurance agents say, you better check your policy first. There may be some liability issues if someone gets hurt in your house. The typical homeownerâ€™s policy will cover guest injuries, but it's wise to make sure. Agent Vaughan Graham says the biggest potential problem for renterâ€™s next week could be loss of property. After all, you won't be there to watch what your guests are doing. "They should take a video camera and make a quick visual recording of everything in their homes. Opening drawers. Opening closets, narrating." The standard policy covers loss of property, if the belongings are documented. Again, it's probably a good idea to find out exactly what your policy covers before opening your doors to strangers.

Of course, insurance won't cover a cancellation like the bed and breakfast received. Many of these homeowners are financing vacations with the money paid by their renter's. Unfortunately, airfare and hotel in an exotic location likely won't be refunded if your guests stand you up.