As a fairly recent addition to HomeAway as the Assistant Editor of the Owner Community, I have had to learn a lot about the vacation rentals business in a hurry. I now know the difference between a fractional and a timeshare, pet fees and pet deposits, and property management versus renting by owner.

However, despite any knowledge I may have acquired, I cannot rent a vacation home-- I am under 25. When group of my friends and I decided go to Las Vegas this upcoming March, I thought, “Hey, let's rent a house instead of staying on the Strip.” That was until I realized that pretty much no owner is going to rent to a group of “kids” who are 21-24.

I'm a recent college grad, recently married, and consider myself to be as adult as the next person, but many owners specify: “We will not rent to vacationing students or singles under 25 years of age unless accompanied by an adult guardian or parent.” Since I'm married, am I excluded from the restriction? If so, where does that leave my friends? We're old enough to buy a home, get married, and work in corporate America, but not old enough to rent someone else's home for 7 days without a parent or guardian present?

And why 25? Is that the age when young people magically transform into responsible and mature adults? Is a 25-year-old less likely to break a deck chair than someone who is 24 and a half? Are all 22-year-olds shifty, sneaky party animals likely to steal from your DVD library and leave your home in shambles? Of course not, so why treat us all as such?

While I understand the reasoning behind the rule, I can't help but think that maybe owners are a little quick to dismiss a viable renter base.

The phrase “bad apples in every bunch” came about for a reason. Sure, there will be renters under 25 who may cause you some trouble, but can you honestly say you've never had a problem renter who was in their 60s or who had small children or who snuck in a pet? If you start being suspicious of every group, how are you going to come up with renters at all?

Instead of restricting renters under 25 outright, I implore that you consider us on a case by case basis. Talk to us on the phone. Make us jump through hoops if you like:

• Require a copy of each guest's drivers license.
• Ask for a larger security deposit or require that a credit card number be kept on file in case of excessive damage.
• Require that each guest sign the rental agreement.
• Ask for rental references.
• Ask for a copy of our resume or to speak with our supervisor.

Any renter (especially those under 25) who's willing to go above and beyond the usual rental requirements is obviously serious about renting your property and if the above requirements don't put them on their best behavior, charge their credit card and send me an email so I can eat crow. 

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