We get questions from renters every day, and there’s many of these asked over and over. Here’s the answers to some of the most popular questions.
Why can’t I rent a weekend in summer?
There’s a huge demand for cottages in July and August, and owners know they will be able to rent their properties by the week. Since most cottages rent from Saturday to Saturday, if they were to offer a weekend rental, say from Friday to Sunday, the owner would effectively lose the opportunity for two complete rental weeks. This is an economical no-brainer and the reason you’ll be very lucky to find an owner willing to rent a summer weekend.
Do I have to clean the cottage?
The usual terms of cottage rental require the renter to leave the cottage in the same condition in which it was found. Cleaning services are hard to come by in cottage country, and the owner often has only a couple of hours in which to check a cottage is clean, between rentals. If there is no cleaning service provided, you should clean thoroughly, using the checklist if the owner has left it for you. If you don’t there may be a substantial charge made on the damage deposit. This post on cleaning the cottage has all the information you need.
What if I change my mind after I book?
Check the cancellation policy carefully before making a booking. If there is a chance you might change your mind, or have to cancel for any reason, take our travel insurance. It doesn’t cost a lot and gives you peace of mind. Some owners may allow you to change dates but expect an agency to charge an administration fee for a change. There’s more on this here.
Can I bring more people?
Occupancy limits on cottages are set by the owners and include all adults, children and overnight guests. These limits are usually determined by the capacity of the septic system to cope with the number of people in the cottage. I’m always taken aback when people say, ‘my children are babies and in diapers – they don’t use any water’. Mmmm…I have children and I do recall bathing them quite regularly. A backed up septic system on a hot day is not going to make your vacation special, so please do not overcrowd a cottage. Remember too, that cottage communities are close and neighbours will watch out for each other. If you invite more people to the cottage than you have declared to the owner or agency, they will find out, and you may become liable to additional charges, or even eviction without refund.
Can I bring my pet?
Don’t take your pet to a cottage unless you have permission to do so. The owner will be within his rights to refuse you entry if you haven’t declared a pet on the rental application. If you have overnight guests or even day guests during your week at the cottage, make sure they don’t arrive with their pets either. If the cottage is pet friendly, read this post before you go.
Can I arrive earlier or leave later?
Unless the owner has agreed to an earlier check-in or later check-out, stick to the times given to you by the owner or agency. There are only a few hours between one set of guests leaving and the next arriving for the owner or his caretaker to check that the cottage has been cleaned and everything is ready. Read this for more information on this topic.
Can I view the cottage before I book?
I understand you may want to take a look at a cottage before you book, however don’t expect the owner to hold a reservation for you while you make up your mind. Many seasonal properties are not accessible until the spring so it’s unlikely you will be able to view if you want to seal the deal now. If you are booking through an agency, ask to talk to the person who viewed the cottage; if booking directly with an owner, ask if you can speak to a previous renter to get a first hand testimonial.
Renting a cottage for your vacation can be a wonderful experience, but it does require a lot of research. Doing it thoroughly can mean the difference between a dream vacation and a nightmare! If you have any questions about vacation rental, leave me a comment here, and I’ll post the answer.
