Any time you look into condo rentals for you or your family's vacation, you know that you will have to pay a competitive rate to secure the best place. What you may not know - but should - are the potential smaller charges that may pop up.

Condo rentals are a popular choice when it comes to finding the right spot for your family's vacation, but you can be billed for one somewhat differently than you may be at a hotel.

While most condo rentals are fairly straightforward and transparent, there can be complications when it comes to sorting out what you will ultimately have to pay for. To avoid any potential issues or disputes, it is important to know what you may be charged for going in so that you are not caught by surprise when you ultimately receive your bill.

While many condo rentals are similar, one of the biggest and most important differences between various units is who owns them. Some condos can be owned by private individuals who choose to rent out their property in order to make some extra money off of it. For these people, the rental is typically not the business they are in and is instead a secondary source of cash flow.

Other condos may be owned by companies that may be small or large and local or nationwide. These companies may own several different properties that they operate on a rental basis in order to make a profit.

Understanding who owns, and is ultimately responsible for, your condo rentals is the first important step towards fully grasping the potential charges. From there, it is a matter of asking questions and reading fine print.

Nearly every property will ask you to put down a deposit - this is standard procedure. This deposit is typically refundable and covers potential damage you could do to the unit. If you leave the place the way you found it, you get your money back. If not, a pro-rated amount is taken to cover repair costs. Discussing the procedures for how this works is vitally important to ensure you are not skimped on what should be returned to you in the end.

If you have pets and choose to bring them, the owners may charge you a deposit that acts in the same manner as the overall security deposit, or you may be charged a flat fee that is non-refundable.

If there are amenities at the property in question such as a pool, tennis court or a hot tub, the owners may charge you a fee for the use of these facilities. This may be due to the owners themselves having to pay a fee as part of their own dues, or it may be a maintenance fee to ensure upkeep.

Many places will also require a cleaning fee, which is paid to guarantee that condo rentals are returned to their normal, pristine condition after every guest leaves. This and other fees may not apply to every rental, so it is always important to discuss these fees and any potential additions with the owner before agreeing to rent.