More About Timeshare

To enjoy the benefits of vacation ownership, or timesharing, consumers make a one-time purchase of a share of furnished resort accommodations, choosing from a wide range of products designed to suit any lifestyle.

Vacation owners enjoy spacious accommodations, a variety of on-site amenities and services, and flexibility in their travel options through vacation exchange. By trading some or all of the time they own, consumers can take advantage of different vacation experiences at thousands of resorts around the world.

All shared ownership resort interests come in two basic forms: a deeded interest in real estate and a right-to-use, or non-deeded,interest. These two basic forms are called by many names—some required under state law and others adopted for marketing purposes.However, the majority of shared ownership resorts today convey a use right backed by a deeded interest in real property—by whatever name it may be called. Deeded real estate interests are usually called “timeshare estates” under state law, and non-deeded interests are “timeshare uses” or “timeshare licenses” officially, but may also be called “memberships.”

Vacation ownership is highly regulated. The various products must comply with strict standards set forth in state timeshare laws as well as several federal laws before being offered to consumers. For nearly 40 years, ARDA members have worked with federal and state governments to support consumer protection legislation. As a result, purchasers have a five- to seven-day rescission period in most states that allows them time to cancel a purchase contract for any reason and get their money back. Further, most state timeshare laws require truth in advertising, protect purchasers’ timeshares from the developer’s debt, and assure that purchasers receive detailed information about the timeshare plan they are buying, including the type of timeshare interest, how to use the product, management and budget information and much more.State timeshare laws usually apply whether the vacation product is called a timeshare, fractional, private residence club, vacation club or points product.

Know what you are buying. ARDA and its member companies urge consumers to know what vacation product they are purchasing by reading the contract carefully and asking questions about their vacation purchase. For more information and consumer tips, please visit ARDA at www.ARDA.org.