Traps to avoid when booking accommmodation in Malalcahuello, Chile

Consumer protections  in Chile

There are many traps to avoid when booking accommodation in Malalcahuello, Chile but be assured that consumers do have some protections by law when making reservations in licensed establishments. To be sure of being covered by such protections one should ascertain that the establishment has the Municipal “patente comercial” or a licence to operate which includes the Sanitary authorization from the Ministry of Health ( they should be able to show you their commercial license with the date it was emitted and it´s expiry date). They will not often be displayed but feel free to ask for them to be sure that you are covered by the Chilean consumer protection laws.

All licensed establishments offering accommodation services have been inspected and have promised to maintain certain basic standards.  Basically, the establishment needs to be clean and the installations be in good working order. There also needs to be protection against fires with the presence of fire extinguishers and marked emergency exits.

A rental contract will also give you more protection under the law. Hostals are common in Chile and are typically families who extend their home and open up rooms to rent. Many of these may not provide rental contracts and may not be licensed. Hotels and more established cabins and Hostals may appear more organised and formal but equally one should ask to see the commercial license to be sure of being covered by law. These establishments should also provide you with a rental contract.

If you have issues with breaches of the contract or with fraudulent behaviour there are several avenues of complaint. One of those is SERNAC (National Service for the Consumer) Phone: 800 700 100 Monday to  Friday 0900: 2100 and Saturday 0900: 1900 or vía their website:  https://www.sernac.cl/portal/617/w3-propertyvalue-518.html.

In the case of fraud, another avenue us to report the fraudulent behaviour to the PDI (Police Investigation Unit).

Consumption Tax

The consumption tax (in Spanish: Impuesto Valor Agregado, or  IVA) is a 19% tax added to most basic goods and must be paid. Accommodation services, however, have the obligation to charge you without the IVA if you can prove you are a non-resident of Chile and if you pay in USD or other foreign currency.

In order for the accommodation service to be able to provide you the tax free amount, however, they must be registered with the tax department to receive foreign tourists. If they are not registered with the tax department they will charge you the IVA.

Things to do when booking accommodation in Malalcahuello, Chile

• Book through reputable websites and with established businesses
• If in doubt, ask for their commercial license and Department of Health authorization number
• Read the terms and conditions of the reservation and their returns policy prior to making any payment
• Verify that the establishment actually exists eg. by looking on Google maps, doing a website search etc.
• Check evaluations made by other guests of the place you are thinking of booking
• Ask friends and family for recommendations

Things not to do when booking accommodation in Malalcahuello, Chile

• Don´t book into an unlicensed premise
• Don´t use only whats app to book and pay.
• Avoid paying upfront without checking first that the establishment exists and has positive evaluations
• Don´t book without receiving a copy of the contract or inspecting the establishment to be sure of the conditions

Now you´ve learnt about some of the traps to avoid, go forth with confidence, book and enjoy your trip! If you´re looking for accredited cabins in Malalcahuello of excellent standard, look here: https://www.chilewild.com/