Vacations Disrupted by Arthur
23 views · Published 14 August 2014 · 2:20 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: WLOS News 13 · 2014 · News & Politics
Tropical Storm Arthur is moving toward North Carolina during one of the busiest weeks of the summer travel season and many consumers are wondering what it could mean for their vacation plans. The storm continues to churn toward the Carolinas, and around 5 p.m. Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for most of the North Carolina coast. Wednesday, Attorney General Roy Cooper and his Consumer Protection Division offered tips for consumers who've rented a house or reserved a hotel along the North Carolina coast. "Know your rights as a consumer in case this storm disrupts your vacation," says Cooper. "Be sure to check with your hotel or rental agency so you know what to expect if you need to evacuate or can't get to your destination." Vacation Rentals: North Carolina's Vacation Rental Act (N.C. General Statute Chapter 42-A) protects consumers who rent a vacation property for fewer than 90 days. Under the law, the landlord must give you a written rental agreement that spells out your rights and obligations as a tenant, the rights and obligations of the landlord and/or broker, and the details of what you'll pay. Once you sign a vacation rental agreement, you and the landlord agree to abide by its terms. Landlords are required by law to keep the property safe and habitable. If your vacation gets cancelled or cut short by the threat of a hurricane, your landlord may have offered you insurance on your vacation rental, which would cover the cost of any nights you miss due to a mandatory evacuation. If you're ordered to evacuate and were not given a chance to purchase insurance, the landlord is required to refund your money for each night you can't stay at the rental property due to the mandatory evacuation. But if you were offered rental insurance when you signed the rental agreement and you didn't take it, then the owner isn't required to refund your money in case of a mandatory evacuation. If you're unable to reach your vacation rental property because of closed roads or other transportation problems caused by a disaster contact the rental agency or landlord. Whether or not you are entitled to a refund will depend upon the facts of your particular situation, such as whether or not alternate routes are open. If you rented the property through a real estate or property management company and have a complaint or question, contact the North Carolina Real Estate Commission at (919) 875-3700. Hotel Reservations: Many consumers have booked rooms at hotels along the North Carolina coast for the Fourth of July weekend. If you're concerned that you may not be able to keep your reservation due to severe weather, contact the hotel right away. It's always a good idea to ask about cancellation policies before you book a hotel room. Some hotels require a deposit or other upfront payment that you may lose if you cancel or otherwise change your reservation. If you paid in advance, whether or not you may be eligible for a refund will likely depend on the hotel's cancellation policy and your specific circumstances. For example, if the electricity is out at the hotel, or the rooms are uninhabitable or unsafe for any reason, then you should be entitled to get your money back. To file a complaint about a North Carolina hotel or motel, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free within the state or file a complaint online at www.ncdoj.gov. For more tips, including how to protect yourself from storm-related scams, click here. You can track the storm as it moves up the coast on our News 13 Hurricane Tracker, just click here. By: Megan Schiering Follow Megan on Twitter @mschieringWLOS _______________ Follow WLOS on social media: WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/News13/ WLOS ABC 13 News on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WLOS_13 WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wlos_13 Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1 Listen to AnchorMOMS, the Podcast: https://wlos.com/news/anchormoms/anchormoms-the-podcast Watch more top local news stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk8Ge6UXHJs&list=PLkVbaoT-aYbIvnEpR0Ct5QQQqYaORUSUH For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit http://www.wlos.com Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://wlos.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340 WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
