Here’s what consumers have asked with answers from VRBO staff and previous consumers.
I doubt it. I am about to be a former listing owner
A while back, VRBO/HomeAway enabled travelers to send the same inquiry to many, many owners at the same time (like hundreds). Owners often spent a lot of wasted time responding and received no replies or bookings from guests. Also, if you are asking for discounts or obviously not thoroughly reading the listing, expect to be ignored, and rightfully so!
No they cannot. I asked to have a review removed that was simply full of lies and even notified VRBO in advance that a guest was trying to extort me to refund her money based on a completely untrue review, in which she referred to my Property Manager, a beautiful young woman in her 20s, as a "creepy woman". VRBO allowed this to be posted, but when I tried to respond saying the review was malicious and untrue, VRBO replied they would not post my review unless I "polished it". Apparently, it is OK for a guest to refer to someone as "creepy" and VRBO will publish. To say a review is untrue, is "unprofessional" and "lacks polish". VRBO will not take this review down, even though it is completely out of whack with our other reviews and it was the product of a failed extortion attempt by a guest.
Owner may have actively terminated their VRBO contract due to conflict over new rules, or VRBO may have suspended them for non compliance or for trying to deal directly with customers. (Then again, you could be the victim of a scam... hope not!) I am hoping you have contact info for the owner from your initial booking communication -- or an address to which you sent a check -- but if not, call HomeAway at this number to ask for assistance. 1 (877) 228-3145