When a short-term rental home is put on the market for sale, the seller is conscious that he has made a commitment to renters by taking their deposits, and that he has a duty to make sure that they are not negatively affected by the sale.

Advance bookings can be handled in several ways. The most usual way is for the seller to require the buyer to honor all advance bookings at the same rates and terms, and to make this a condition of the sale. This option usually works well if the buyer is going to use the home as a short term rental home, and a good advance bookings schedule can be an incentive to the buyer.

The seller provides the buyer with a list of dates rental rates before the contract is signed, and this list is referred to in the sales contract. It then becomes binding on both sides, although the seller is not responsible if any bookings are subsequently cancelled.

After the contract is signed and before closing, the seller provides the buyer with a more complete list, including contact information for renters, details of advance deposits or payments taken, and any specific terms agreed with renters.

When contingency dates have passed the seller should inform the advance renters that the home will change hands and that their booking

will be accepted by the new owners. Contact information for the buyer should only be given to renters after closing, because until then their contract is with the seller.

At closing, the seller prepares a statement of funds that are due for advance deposits and rental payments, and this amount is transferred to the buyer. This can be done either within the closing statement or as a check to the buyer. The seller will not normally take any expenses from this amount.

If the seller has means of moving advance rentals, he may offer the home for sale with advance rentals as an option for the buyer to accept or reject according to what works best for him.

If the buyer does not wish to take on any bookings, for example if he intends to use the home as his residence, the seller would need either to reject the purchase offer or be prepared to either cancel or move all advance bookings.

The most important rule in this process is for each side to keep the other informed, via their respective agents, at every stage, so that there are no 'surprises' that cause ill-feeling between the two parties, or which impact on the advance renters.