Sample Lease

This is your vacation lease. Please read it thoroughly. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us. This lease is in effect from your arrival until your departure.

This agreement constitutes a contract between the Guest and Carol Irvine, Owner of the rental cottage, Beachview House. Please read it carefully, sign, and return one copy to the Owner.

1. Reservations: Reservations are confirmed upon Owner's receipt of 50% of the base rate received from you within 24 hours of making your reservation. Your reservation is for the time specified under arrival and departure dates. Guest name on this lease is the responsible party for the reservation and all lease obligations.

2. Payment: An advance payment of 50% of the total base rent is due within 24 hours in order to confirm your reservation. We will send you a credit card authorization for Visa, MasterCard, or American Express with this lease. The final balance is due anytime prior to 30 days before your arrival. Final payment shall also include taxes, any dog fees, and your refundable security deposit. Final payment must be made 30 days in advance. Final payment is to be in the form of a check. If we do not receive your final payment 30 days before your arrival, your reservation is subject to cancellation and all deposit monies forfeited. Reservations made less than 30 days prior to arrival require full payment via overnight mail or credit card charge to the Owner.

3. Taxes: You are quoted a rental price estimate that is based upon up-to-date tax rates. However, it is possible (but rare) that tax rates will change between now and the time of your stay. You will be notified if there are any changes to your quoted tax rate.

4. Getting Here: Upon receiving your final payment, (due 30 days prior to your arrival), the Owner will send you details on your rental, along with the names and phone numbers of emergency contacts, and our very pleasant manager.

5. Arrival/Departure: Plan to arrive at Beachview no earlier than 4:00 PM. (We will try to leave a light on for you!) Departure is strictly at 10:00 AM. This is a must due to the logistics of turnover. Please note that Beachview is located in the Eastern Time Zone.

6. Damage Deposit: A security deposit is required on all reservations at the discretion of the owner. The security deposit's purpose is to protect the Owner's home and contents from damages. If damage exceeds the security deposit, the guest agrees that his/her credit card will be charged to pay any and all damage charges above the security deposit. In addition, if any checkout procedures aren't followed, additional charges will be deducted from security deposit. Checkout guidelines are given to you in advance. Beachview House is inspected before and after every tenancy. While you are here, we ask your cooperation in reporting any damage. The security deposit, less any charges incurred where applicable, will be refunded within 20 days of departure.

Leaseholder -- you are responsible for any damages incurred during your group's tenancy. Your security deposit will be fully refunded by postal mail within 20 days of your departure, providing the following provisions were met:

  1. There was no damage to the cottage or its contents beyond normal wear and tear.
  2. All debris, garbage, dog waste, etc., was placed in outdoor trashcans.
  3. Dirty dishes were placed in dishwasher.
  4. Cottage was left in a neat condition.
  5. No items were missing from the cottage.
  6. All keys were left in the cottage. NO SMOKING
  7. The number of guests did not exceed nine (9).
  8. There has been no smoking in the house (smoking outside only).
  9. The outside grill (if used) must be cleaned after use (or there will be a $100 cleaning charge)
7. Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation for any reason you are entitled to a refund of your payments to us (less a cancellation fee of $150.00) provided you cancel 90 days or more in advance of your check-in date. There are no refunds for cancellations within 90 days of your check-in date. If you think trip cancellation is a possibility for any reason, we strongly recommend purchasing "Trip Cancellation Insurance", which is available through most travel agents, insurance agents, or sites on the Internet. There are no refunds due to weather conditions, including hurricane evacuations, because Trip Cancellation Insurance is now available. We can refer you to several possible sources of trip insurance if needed.
Every single place we have traveled to within the last three years has required prepayment in full, a minimum of 90 days in advance, with no cancellation possible, including for hurricanes and cyclones. We have gotten trip insurance on each occasion, and it has provided a great deal of peace of mind for very low cost.
8. Occupancy: Occupancy is restricted to nine individuals (babies in cribs not included). Any leaseholder found in breach of this contract will be evicted and monies will not be refunded. This is a very strict maximum.

9. Parties: There are to be no parties in Beachview. And yes, of course, having a few friends and family in occasionally is fine (we want everyone to have a wonderful stay) but by a few friends we mean no more than 14 people total, including the guests staying in Beachview. I have learned that I need to define "having guests in" includes 14 people, total, whether in the cottage, on the deck, or on the porches. Sadly, I also have had the need to delineate "occasionally"- occasionally means once in a while; it does not mean 14 people all day, every day and all night, every night. We don't mean to sound so strict -- we truly want you all to enjoy the house -- we just want it taken care of for everyone to enjoy.

10. Repairs: Even the best or newest equipment occasionally malfunctions and cannot be guaranteed 100% of the time. Beachview has an excellent maintenance team. Problems are corrected as soon as humanly possible. Agent authorized employee or repairman may enter the premises during business hours for purposes connected with repairs, care, or maintenance of the premises.

11. Construction: St. Simons is a highly desirable, developing resort area, with houses occasionally under construction. We do not give refunds due to construction noise. If you are concerned, call and inquire before you book your reservation.

12. Consideration: All efforts are made to correct any problems you may experience in as timely a manner as possible. Recompense will not be issued due to malfunctioning equipment or other guest's dissatisfaction. You can expect a courteous, professional, and very caring attitude towards problem solving.

13. Pets: There is a $45.00 non-refundable dog fee. Guests bringing dogs are required to notify Owner in advance and sign a separate pet addendum.

14. Children: Here is our policy on children...We have friends with very young children that we would allow to use this house in a heartbeat. We also know children that wouldn't be appropriate for this house. (The same could be said for some adults, too.) Here's the thing- if children aren't exposed to good things and taught how to take care of things at an early age, then they won't grow up knowing how to treat a house right. (It is the same principal on having art and music exposure in early educational experiences.) Anyway, we want children to have that opportunity. If, however, you think it is okay for your child to actively and aggressively use the sofa, the beds, and the other upholstery in your vacation house as trampolines, than this probably isn't the right cottage for you. We want everyone to be comfortable, relaxed, and enjoy himself or herself, but not to the abuse of the house.

15. Telephone: Any long distance calls, long distance facsimile transmissions, or long distance Internet connectivity (if high speed connection is down) must be charged to a calling card.

16. Second story porch and attic: The leaseholder understands that Beachview is rented as a single story house. Neither the second story porch nor the second story attic will be available to the leaseholder.

17. Indemnification: Guests agree to indemnify and save homeowner and employees, free and harmless for any liabilities, or any loss or damage, whatsoever arising from, related to, or in connection with rental of the premises including but not limited to any claim or liability for personal injury or damage or loss of property which is made, incurred, or sustained by guests or guests of guests.

18. Forum Selection Clause: This agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of the State of Georgia. This agreement shall be treated as though it was executed in the County of Glynn, State of Georgia, and was to have been performed in the county of Glynn, State of Georgia. Any action relating to this agreement shall only be instituted and prosecuted in the courts in Georgia. Tenant specifically consent to such jurisdiction and to extraterritorial service of process.

The undersigned has read and agrees to abide by the terms, rules and regulations of this Lease Agreement.



______________________________________
Carol Irvine Signature
Owner
 
______________________________________
Signature
Leaseholder