The owner verified he saw the intruder and instead of detaining him, chased him off the property and then called the police. The intruder was not apprehended. The property owner was argumentative when voiced our safety concerns. We did not sleep at all that night and did not feel safe sleeping there the second night, so we left that day and booked an alternative accommodation. My Aunt and Uncle were scheduled to join us at the property and they also did not feel safe sleeping there. The intruder seemed very familiar with the layout of the house, as he turned on the light switches that were located in inconspicuous locations and when we awoke to confront the intruder, I watched him walk up the spiral staircase and he turned off the lights when he got to the top of the stairs. The light switches are not located in an easily recognizable or accessible location on the opposite side of the entrance to the staircase, so it appears that he must have been familiar with the layout of the home.
This was an extremely traumatic experience to have an intruder enter our bedrooms while we were sleeping.
We are certainly due a refund after having our safety and security compromised while at this property. I contacted the property owner, who offered no refund, I contacted VRBO immediately and the telephone representative was indifferent and said there was nothing VRBO would do about a break in and that VRBO has no policy to ensure the safety and security of customers or provide refunds when safety issues arise.