We are renting a cottage later in the year in Cornwall and it's the same thing. As far I I know it's quite usual if you are booking with a private individual. Wouldn't expect it with a large company though.

Hi scot22, with a large booking/letting company they usually have your debit/credit card details and a clause in the contract to take any remedial costs if necessary. With private lettings they are more informal and usually require a cash bond in case of damages etc, which is refundable if there are no problems. We rented in Cornwall last year and paid a £250 cash deposit on top of the rental. This was refunded after the holiday. Can't say I blame them really, the place we rented was fabulous, but I could just imagine what some people of my aquaintance would have done to the place!!! Not maliciously, but just thoughtlessly.

Interesting one a couple of years ago. We booked a small villa on Lake Guarda, Italy.

The proprietor then telephoned us and said if we brought cash, in Euros, and paid him in cash, half up front, half at the end, he would give us a 25% discount. I spoke to him for quite a while and when we got there I talked to him again, and my instinct told me all was well. It was too. He owns a couple of local hotels as well as letting properties. The Italian authorities were clamping down hard on tax avoidance/evasion so he was finding it difficult to work his usual fiddles. This one was difficult for the authorities to pick up on. Though not knowingly involved in illegal activities I found it hard not to accept his deal, on the basis that I knew nothing about it!!!! What a wonderful world.

Cheers Concrete