A Few Notes About Renting Our House

Frequent points of confusion we'd like to clarify.

• We do not take credit cards.
• Our security deposit is at least 30% which is held separately and returned after the rental. When you send in the fee you do not take the deposit out as a partial payment.
• Cancellations have a $50 fee minimum. If you terminate 15-30 days prior to the start of the rental we will keep half your deposit. If you terminate the agreement within 15 days of the start of the rental we will keep the entire deposit. If we rebook the house we will refund the deposit less $50 admin fee.
• There is a cleaning fee that is left at the house in cash - but this doesn't mean you can leave the house a mess. You are expected to leave the house basically as you found it, but you're not expected to vacuum or dust, etc.. If the cleaning fee doesn't cover the work you will be charged extra and it will come out of your security deposit.
• Many of our guests are dog owners, and we allow dogs with our rentals. Cleaning staff have been instructed to pay particular attention to removal of dog hair, but we cannot guarantee we'll get every one. If anyone in your party is allergic to pets, please take this into consideration.
• Cell phone service is very spotty here. Phone access restricted to local calling. You will need a calling card for all your long distance calls.
• Our holidays are the same as the general "bank" holidays, and have a three night minimum. There is a 10-15% premium added to the holiday rate for the big ones - Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Here are some general highlights of house rules / notes you will find on our fridge:

Garbage
We still recycle here!! If you do not sort your garbage you will be fined $50 plus time. You will be fined if you do not recycle.

Smoking
Never in the house. If you smoke outside, please dispose of butts properly and do not flick around the property. There is a recepticle on the front porch for butts.

Bringing Your Dog?
If you do bring a dog chances are we'll discuss it with you but here are some rules.

• Dogs must have had a flea/tick treatment at least three days but not more than thirty days prior to their arrival at the house.
• All feces must be picked up and disposed of - not by throwing into the leaves but in a bag and in the trash inside the larger garbage bag.
• Keep your pet off the furniture. If your dog is used to sleeping with you, please bring a throw so it doesn't dirty the comforter or linens.
• You know your pet best, but we prefer dogs be kenneled when left alone in the house. It gives them comfort and us as well.
• Don't let them eat things outside. We've had a small dog get severely ill from eating mushrooms growing in the lawn.
• Don't let them out alone, especially at night. There are coyotes, bear, porcupines and skunks here. It is the mountains after all.
• Cats are never allowed in our house. We love cats too but we are unable to ensure future guests won't have an allergic reaction.
• Last, but not least... Watch your dog(s), especially the first half hour in the house, as they explore all the smells. We understand accidents happen, and if they do please clean properly. Do not just wipe up, clean with white vinegar and soapy water - you will find the vinegar in the pantry. The smells left behind are a strong incentive for the next visiting canine to mark their territory.

Country Clean
It's a fact - this is the country, and there are spiders, flies and/or mice in old homes to varying degrees. While you may never actually see a mouse, you may see signs of them. Flies, ladybugs, wasps hide in the walls in the fall and in the winter when the heat comes on they'll come to life. Our house is treated to prevent this nesting in the walls every fall, but a few still always appear every time the heat is turned up.

Winter Rentals
Our house has snow plowing automatically done after a few inches have accumulated, but it may take a few hours for the service to get to your house. Our house is on a town road and it is well maintained. Your car is your responsibility and driving it in the winter conditions is not something we can really help you with. We always recommend 4 wheel drive and snow tires for winter driving.

Our driveway can become icy. It is common around here, as snow melts it travels down the driveway. Cold night air freezes it. Sprinkling cinders from the woodstove on the driveway is a great help, and there is a storage can for this purpose on the back porch. There is also rock salt provided.

While you are in residence you are the one responsible for shoveling paths to make it easy for you to get around on foot. The less snow the easier it is for the sun to melt any snow or ice remaining.

Thanks for taking the time to read through this - please forward a link to this page to the others in your group. Thank you.