Rental Agreement
1. General
The person or persons who provide payment on account of a booking are hereafter referred to as the “Vacationer”. The owners of the cottage are hereafter referred to as the “Property Owners”.
2. Contract
By completing the online "Request a Reservation" form and making the deposit payment, the Vacationer understands and agrees that they are entering into a legal, binding contract between the Vacationer and the Property Owners. The issuance of a written or electronic confirmation to the Vacationer by the Property Owners shall complete a binding contract between the Vacationer and the Property Owners.
3. Limits of Liability
The Vacationer represent, warrants, acknowledge and agrees with the Property Owners that they will use the cottage and its facilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of this agreement and the Household Rules and that they do so at their own risk and that they indemnify and save the Property Owners, their agents and assigns, harmless from any claim made as a result of personal injury, sickness or death, loss or damage, however caused, to person or property of the Vacationer or their family, guests, visitors, servants and agents during or after the time of occupancy. Further, the Vacationer accepts full responsibility of the use of any recreational equipment and agrees to pay for any repairs to damage to or replacement of said equipment, if caused by the vacationer or any of their family, guests, visitors, servants and agents.
4. Guarantee
The Vacationer agrees to pay all outstanding long distance phone charges and accept all liability for any damage beyond normal wear and tear during the term of the rental period; And also to pay any penalties listed in this agreement and household rules for failure to meet any of the terms and conditions listed there in.
5. Payment
5.1 Bookings shall be confirmed in writing by the Property Owners on payment of a deposit consisting of 50% of the total fee. For rentals within 30 days, all fees are due at the time of booking.
5.2 Receipt of any deposit prior to the Property Owners’ written confirmation of the reservation shall not constitute acceptance of any booking.
5.3 The balance shall be payable 30 days prior to the commencement of the rental period.
5.4 A damage deposit of $500 is held by the Property Owners and will be refunded in the manner it was received (credit card, e-transfer) within 7 days of the end of the rental period. Typically, the damage deposit is returned within one day of check-out. The damage deposit may be used for damage, a failure to adequately clean the cottage, failure to remove garbage from the cottage, failure to clean up cigarette butts from the cottage grounds and or contraventions of the Rental Agreement and/or Household Rules pursuant to paragraph 10 hereof.
6. Cancellation
Any cancellation by the Vacationer shall be in writing via email. On receipt of such notice of cancellation, the Property Owners shall endeavour to re-book the entire period of the original booking. If the Property Owners succeed in re-booking the rental period, all amounts held by the Property Owner, on account of the Vacationer, shall be refunded to the Vacationer, less a $50 cancellation fee. If the Property Owners are not successful in re-booking any portion of the rental period, all amounts then held by the Property Owners on account of the Vacationer, shall be forfeited to the Property Owners. In the event the Property Owners are able to re-book a portion of the rental period, the Property Owners shall refund to the Vacationer that amount received for the subsequent rebooking, up to the total amount then held on account of the Vacationer, less a $50 cancellation fee. Note that the credit card fee (if applicable) shall not be refunded as this is a cost that cannot be recaptured even upon rebooking the property.
COVID-19 Extenuating Circumstances
If government restrictions due to COVID-19 preclude the booking from proceeding, the cancellation fee will be waived and the Vacationer will be issued a credit in the amount of 50% of the reservation total (equal to the deposit paid at the time of booking), valid for use within 24 months from the start of the rental period. If payment has been made in full at the time restrictions are imposed, 50% of the total amount paid will be refunded if requested by the guest. Please note that credit card fees are non-refundable as these are not refunded by Stripe when payments are refunded to our guests. Valid government restrictions include, but are not necessarily limited to, border or transportation restrictions precluding travel to the cottage by all guests on the booking form or the prohibition of short-term rentals by the Municipality of the North Bruce Peninsula, the Province of Ontario, or the Government of Canada.
7. Number of Persons Using the Cottage
The number of persons present overnight and during the day on the property shall not exceed the number of guests listed on the online "Request a Reservation" form, without prior written authorization from the Property Owners. Only vehicles noted on the "Request a Reservation" form are permitted on the cottage property overnight. The maximum number of guests is up to 6 .
7.1 Vacationers who contravene the maximum numbers of adults and children (individuals 16 years old and older are considered adults) permitted at each cottage will be subject to immediate eviction without refund and/or a penalty of $100.00 per day at the discretion of the Property Owners.
7.2 There will be no subletting of the cottage property permitted.
7.3 There shall be no camping, tenting, or otherwise placing auxiliary accommodation facilities on the property.
8. Access
The Property Owners and/or the Property Owners' agents shall be allowed access to the cottage at any reasonable time during any holiday occupancy.
9. Repair
The Vacationer shall keep the cottage and all furniture, fixtures, chattels, fittings, and effects in or about the cottage in the same state of repair and condition as at the commencement of the holiday, and shall leave the cottage in the same state of cleanliness and general order in which it was found. Failure to do so, to the satisfaction of the Property Owners, may result in a damage/cleaning charge being levied. The Vacationer shall not rearrange the furniture or fixtures in the house.
10. Other Conditions of the Booking
The Vacationer shall abide by the conditions of booking and any other instructions contained in the Household Rules (listed below). All such conditions apply to guests visiting the property, whether day visitors or overnight. Any Vacationer who contravenes said conditions shall be subject to immediate eviction without refund and/or a penalty of $100.00 per day at the discretion of the Property Owners.
11. Pets
Pets are not permitted.
Household Rules
1. Check-in and Check-out
Check-in and out times are 4:00pm and 11:00am, respectively.
2. Fireplace
Please do not use artificial logs or anything other than hardwood firewood (such as maple or ash, not pine, cedar or wood scrapes). Do not use lighter fluid to start the fire. Do not overload the fireplace. Assure that you do not operate the woodstove with the door open. Do not cut down trees on the property for firewood or collect deadwood from outside. Do not cut or split wood on the fireplace hearth (it will break) or anywhere inside the cottage.
3. Outdoor Fires
Recreational "campfires" are only allowed in the established fire pit in front of the cottage. Before lighting any fire out of doors, check with the local Municipal office at 519-793-3522 with regard to fire regulations and restrictions.
4. Fireworks
Fireworks cause forest fires. The lighting of fireworks is absolutely FORBIDDEN at the cottage. Any renter caught lighting fireworks will be immediately evicted.
5. Waste Disposal
Never leave garbage outside the cottage unless it is in a tightly covered garbage container. All garbage must be taken to the landfill site, the first 2 bags are free, after that there will be a tipping fee. Garbage collection occurs on Monday at the end of the driveway if your rental includes this day. Any garbage left at the cottage will result in a $60.00 disposal charge.
6. Bathroom / Septic System
The cottage operates on a septic system. The septic system is a very sensitive, and integral, part of cottage life. The basic rule is do not put anything down the toilet other than natural waste and toilet paper (and be conservative with the paper).
7. Community Notes
Cottage communities have become very inter-dependent. Everyone knows everyone else and keeps an eye on their property for them. Don't be surprised if someone asks who you are. Explain that you are guests of the owner's. Your due consideration of the owner's place in that community will be appreciated - no outdoor music, no loud parties or noise after 10:00 P.M., and observe normal boating and water guidelines, etc.
8. Smoking
No smoking is permitted inside the cottage. However, smoking is permitted outside the cottage away from open doors or windows. Do not leave any cigarette butts on the property. Please use a proper receptacle to dispose of them. Cigarette butt collection (if left on the ground) is subject to a $60 fee.
9. Cleaning
Unless the Vacationer has paid for cleaning, the Vacationer is required to leave the cottage as it was found, ready for the next renter. Cleaning equipment and supplies are provided. A failure to adequately clean will result in the $125 cleaning fee being added to the rental fee, which fee may be taken from the damage deposit. In the event the Vacationer has paid for cleaning the cottage must be left swept and tidy, with dishes done and put away.