Renting a weekly vacation rental property in GA. Owner doesn't use a lease- how do...

[memarshall87]

...I protect myself? I'm considering renting a beach condo in St. Simons Island, GA. I contacted the owner today, and he said he normally doesn't use a lease with his renters because he is not a broker, he just owns the condo as property and rents it out when he isn't using it. I've had bad experiences in the past with rental properties, like being charged thousands of dollars for damages I didn't do. This man doesn't live in St. Simons- he lives in the same state, near Atlanta, and he will not be present at check-in or check-out. He will send me all the information I need in an email once I pay the last half of the rent. How can I protect myself here? I don't want there to be no contract and then he try to stick me with bills, run off with my money, etc, and I have no way to fight it. I've looked at rental lease forms, but none seem to fit this situation. He said he'd be more than happy to sign whatever I ask him to, he just normally doesn't require it with his tenants. Any ideas?

[thelimetree]

If you feel uncomfortable about renting without the proper lease, then do NOT rent. Surely there are more places to rent if you look in the area, newspapers, or real estate agents. But if I were you an agreement in writing protects both renter and rentee. I mean he may be quite legit as an easy going landlord, and does not want to prove that he's earning money renting out his place. Maybe he does not include this earning in his taxes.