What is included in our agreement for Short Term Rentals

Best practices for our short-term rentals. 

 

1. Names of all rental parties
The short-term rental agreement will feature some essential information about the tenant. This includes all parties his/her full name, current home address, and phone number. We also add the day on which the lease will take effect in this section.

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2. Maximum occupancy
This details how many people and pets the vacation rental can accommodate. It can also be a safeguard against guests who claim they’re bringing 4 people, when in fact there are 4 adults and 2 children. Oftentimes, the occupancy also applies to visitors to the property, to dissuade guests from throwing a party.

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3. Rental period
This includes the arrival and departure dates. If these dates are adjusted (say, if a guest wants to stay longer), they can sign an updated rental agreement or contact our team for further instructions on how we can accommodate.

4. Check-in and check-out times
When can guests arrive and when do they have to depart? This term can also explain if early check-ins or late check-outs are allowed, plus any fees that guests will have to pay if they fail to check out on time.

 

5. Vacation rental property details
Rental agreements typically include a list of amenities provided in the rental property, from towels to a toaster, smart speakers to a hot tub. This can help hold guests accountable should anything go missing or need repair.

 

6. Rate, extra fees, and payment terms
Anything related to payment is usually outlined, including the nightly rental rate, payment due dates, a security deposit, cleaning fees, or pet fees.

 

7. House rules
This can include stipulations such as “no pets” or “no smoking.” Rental agreements should reference HOA regulations or local ordinances guests have to follow, such as “no glass allowed in the pool area” or quiet hours. Be respectful of our community!

 

8. Cleaning
We outline how we would like guests to leave the vacation rental before check-out. This can include asking them to take out the trash, strip sheets off the bed, and put dishes in the dishwasher. You could also explain what deeper vacation rental cleaning is included in your cleaning fee.

 

9. Maintenance
We let guests know what to do if there’s a vacation rental maintenance issue, and how we plan to respond. We answer quickly if they contact you through the proper channels.

 

10. Homeowner access
There are several reasons a homeowner (or a maintenance vendor) may have to access the vacation rental during a guest’s stay. Short-term rental agreements outline how and why owners will give guests notice to enter the property, so there are no complaints or surprises.

 

11. Parking
Contracts usually indicate if parking spots are available and if so, how many. If no parking spaces are available, suggest other parking options nearby.

 

12. Keys
This tells guests how to access keys or get into the property, whether there’s a lockbox, smart lock, or physical key that guests need to pick up from another location.

 

13. Fraudulent bookings
Someone underage claims to be 25. A guest invites 15 friends to a house meant for 6 people. A booking is made under a false name. These things can happen. We work with your attornies to include the consequences of booking under false pretenses.

 

14. Cancellations
Cancellation policies typically explain how guests can cancel their reservation and how far in advance they need to do so to receive a full refund. Plus, they include the circumstances that will prompt us to cancel a guest’s stay and if there are any refunds involved.

 

15. Terms specific to your vacation rental property
Rental agreements are not one-size-fits-all. What works at a beach house won’t protect another property we have in the mountain cabin. Terms and conditions that are detailed to your property and its destination are usually included. Contracts can also be used to alert guests to any spaces that are off-limits, such as a personal closet or the garage.

 

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