| Here are the top 10 things to include in your vacation | | | | down prices from your property's website or during a |
| rental agreement form: | | | | phone conversation. The total rental rate, including all |
| 1. Contact information. Although it seems obvious, | | | | applicable fees and taxes, should be included in your |
| your vacation rental agreement should include all of | | | | vacation rental lease. |
| your relevant contact information, including the | | | | 6. Payment schedule. Just because the renters know |
| address of the vacation rental property. | | | | the cost of your property does not mean they |
| 2. Pet & Smoking Policies. It is your responsibility | | | | know when to pay! Your vacation rental lease |
| to let renters know about restrictions regarding pets | | | | agreement should provide a timeline for payments, |
| or smoking. Just because a renter says that he | | | | including deposits. |
| doesn't plan to bring a pet, you should still spell out | | | | 7. Cancellation policy. In the event that a renter |
| your rules in your vacation rental contract in case he | | | | needs to cancel his or her reservation, your vacation |
| changes his mind. Also, it cannot be assumed that | | | | rental contract should spell out the penalties according |
| people will be courteous enough to not smoke in | | | | to the time frame. As the date of the reservation |
| your home. Your vacation rental agreement form | | | | gets closer, it will be increasingly more difficult to fill |
| should define the penalties if it is determined that a | | | | those days with other renters. Therefore, the |
| renter has smoked in your home. | | | | penalties should be higher as the date nears. |
| 3. Age and Maximum Occupancy. When screening | | | | 8. Checkout Policy. Before your renters even arrive |
| your renters, you should be able to determine a | | | | at your home you should tell them what is expected |
| rough estimate for their age and how many people | | | | of them at the time of checkout. Let them know in |
| will be staying in your property. However, your | | | | your vacation rental agreement form whether they |
| vacation rental contract should remind renters of | | | | need to take out trash, wash sheets, etc., so there |
| your rules regarding required parental supervision for | | | | is no confusion on the day of checkout when it really |
| designated age groups, along with the maximum | | | | matters! |
| occupancy of your home in case they are considering | | | | 9. Provisions of damage deposit refund. When renters |
| bringing any extra guests. | | | | pay the damage deposit for your vacation home, |
| 4. Check-in/Checkout Times. Clear communication of | | | | they should be aware of what is covered and what |
| the check-in and checkout dates and times is | | | | is expected of them in order to receive a full refund. |
| important, especially for coordinating the cleaning | | | | Your vacation rental contract should also explain the |
| housekeeping duties. If your guests arrive early, the | | | | penalties for violating these provisions. |
| house might not be clean and could result in | | | | 10. Storm policies. Vacation homeowners should use |
| complaints. If your guests stay too long, your | | | | their vacation rental lease as a form of protection in |
| housekeeper might not have time to sufficiently clean | | | | the event of inclement weather. Spell out your storm |
| your home before the next group of renters. Your | | | | and hurricane policy up front to avoid disagreements |
| renters should be made aware of these important | | | | about refunds down the road. |
| times, and your vacation rental lease agreement | | | | This list is just a starting point for your vacation |
| should state the penalties if these times are not | | | | rental contract. Be as specific as possible and include |
| followed. | | | | detailed information to protect yourself and your |
| 5. Total bill. You can not rely on your renters to write | | | | renters. |