| I have encountered many vacation home owners | | | | decor is not allowed". |
| who rent without a written contract. They do so at | | | | As owner of a couple of vacation homes rental |
| their own risk. Although the majority of vacation | | | | websites, I thought it was important to provide |
| renters are very good, and go out of there way to | | | | contract tips that may be beneficial to property |
| keep your property in order, it just takes one bad | | | | owners. All rental agreements may differ a little, but |
| renter incident or one misunderstanding that can | | | | there are some items that should be essential to |
| really spell trouble. | | | | your vacation rental contract: |
| For example, I had an experience where 12 people | | | | Payment Terms |
| showed up to rent an island rental home that only | | | | Security Deposit & Refund Policy |
| specified an occupancy limit of 6 in the advertising | | | | Cancellation Policy (to include no-shows, late arrivals & |
| and contract. A dozen people in a smaller place can | | | | early departures) |
| put a lot of wear and tear on the property, not to | | | | Check-in and Check-out times |
| mention utility use. If there had not been an | | | | Occupancy Limit |
| occupancy limit in the contract, it would have been | | | | Care of Property, Furniture, Appliances (don't move |
| more difficult to enforce, and ask the additional | | | | furniture around) |
| people to find another place. Another reason to have | | | | Cleaning Policy, Trash Removal |
| an occupancy limit is to restrict large parties in the | | | | Policy of Keeping Home Secure (locked when away) |
| vacation home. You many not want renters to hold | | | | Other considerations might be a pet policy or a |
| parties of fifty people in your 4-6 capacity person | | | | smoking policy. |
| home for weddings, reunions, etc. | | | | I recommend that you always consult with an |
| Rely on personal experiences to help customize your | | | | attorney first to review your rental contract to make |
| contract. I did have a short-term renter once who | | | | sure it is in compliance with local and state |
| re-arranged the furniture around and put all the | | | | government regulations or any association regulations, |
| knickknacks in the closet. It was a hassle to move | | | | and to make sure it covers all necessary issues to |
| everything back to its original order. Now I include the | | | | protect yourself as a property owner. |
| phrase in our contracts, "re-arranging the furniture or | | | | |