Vrbo complaint: The host kept my deposit without providing rental services

My complaint:

I paid a deposit of EU 732 for the following apartment for the period of October 10 2020 to October 26, 2020. Due to the Pandemic I asked to move the dates to 2022. The property manager for Property 2692931ha (reservations ID HA-J1ZPJB) authorized a transfer of dates to 2022.

However, during 2022, the Canadian government through a country wide mandate, would not allow any citizens outside the country unless they were vaccinated. As a result, I asked the property manager to allow me to move the date to February 2023. She would not allow it and she kept my deposit.

I would like my deposit back. She did not provide with any services and has no right to my deposit.

Suggested solution:

I believe that I made that deposit in good faith with the intention to rent the apartment. Due to the pandemic it was beyond my control that I was not able to keep the scheduled rental date. I also believe that it was beyond my control that the Vaccination mandate restricted me from leaving the country of Canada during 2022. I advised Karin Mueller that I was able to travel in February 2023 as the vaccination restrictions were eliminated and I am now able to travel.

However, they would rather keep my deposit and not allow me to use it. If they are not able to accommodate me for this rental, then I believe that I am entitled to have my deposit refunded to me. This is really upsetting as there was nothing in the contract that indicated that I had to use it by 2022.

The apartment was fully booked during the fall of 2022 and even if I were to travel I would not have been able to obtain rental during that time. They knew very well that the apartment was not available, yet she would not allow me to move my date.

Keeping my deposit without providing a service is illegal. I would appreciate it if you can you please resolve this matter. thank you.