Vrbo
| File:Vrbo logo.svg Logo since March 2019 rebranding | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Vacation rentals, Travel |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | David Clouse |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Parent | Expedia Group |
Vrbo (), an abbreviation for Vacation Rentals by Owner, functions as an online marketplace dedicated to vacation rental properties. Based in Austin, Texas, it operates worldwide as a branch of the Expedia Group.
History
Established in 1995 by software developer David Clouse in Aurora, Colorado, Vrbo was initially created to lease his condo near Breckenridge Ski Resort. The site rapidly attracted homeowners interested in listing their short-term rental accommodations.
By 2006, the platform hosted more than 465,000 listings and was adding close to 100 new rental properties each day. Early on, Vrbo utilized a subscription business model, requiring homeowners to pay an annual fee to advertise their rentals.
That same year, Vrbo was purchased by HomeAway, broadening its market reach. Subsequently, on November 4, 2015, Expedia Group declared its $3.9 billion acquisition of HomeAway, which included Vrbo, with the transaction concluding in early 2016.
In March 2019, Vrbo refreshed its branding by introducing a new logo and modifying its pronunciation to enhance brand recognition. By May 2019, the websites for HomeAway and Vrbo were merged under the single Vrbo brand, consolidating global operations and strengthening its position within the vacation rental sector.
Refund policies during the COVID-19 crisis
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms like Airbnb and Tripadvisor mandated full refunds from property owners for travelers impacted by lockdowns. In contrast, Vrbo allowed refund negotiations directly between guests and hosts, which sparked calls for a boycott on Twitter. Nonetheless, Vrbo prohibited hosts from minimizing the pandemic's seriousness during refund discussions.
Guarantee support concerns
Vrbo encountered backlash after reportedly failing to honor its "book with confidence" promise when a customer lost £6,000 following the disappearance of a rental property owner in Ibiza.
Undisclosed cameras found in bedrooms
In 2022, multiple lawsuits targeted Vrbo after guests uncovered hidden cameras placed inside private areas of rental homes, including bedrooms. Investigations revealed images of undressed guests stored on owners’ devices, raising significant privacy issues.
Non-compliance with rental laws
In March 2022, the city of Los Angeles filed a lawsuit against Vrbo due to the platform's failure to adhere to local rental regulations. This included allowing hosts to advertise properties without proper registration as mandated by the city's short-term rental ordinance. According to City Attorney Mike Feuer, an analysis of bookings over a recent 30-day span revealed that 69% potentially breached these regulations, underscoring significant difficulties in regulatory compliance that affected Vrbo's operational integrity and public image.