| I received an email from a couple who were | | | | hopping on the beds and furniture. |
| recent vacation rental guests at a rental I have. | | | | If you break something in the home, don't try to |
| Here's what they had to say: "We loved the | | | | hide it. Let the Owner or Manager know so that |
| house & had the best vacation ever...We did our | | | | they can try to replace it, or you may offer to |
| best to leave the house as we found it. We did | | | | take care of it yourself. Many Owners live a |
| not need to use the A/C, the washer & dryer, or | | | | distance away from the rental home so it may |
| the 2nd bedroom. You did a great job with that | | | | not be as easy to replace something. If it's a small |
| house & we respect that. We were out & about | | | | item, many Owners will not ask for compensation, |
| most of the time any how...Thanks again, we look | | | | but will appreciate the honesty. Make sure you |
| forward to going back soon." | | | | bring equipment you take outdoors such as all of |
| Now wouldn't it be great in a perfect world if | | | | the towels, chairs, and snorkel equipment back |
| every guest was like this! These are the type of | | | | inside from the beach or wherever you went for |
| guests I would welcome back anytime. Most | | | | the day. |
| Vacation Renters are pretty good (and I'm sure | | | | Be sure to secure the house and lock up while |
| there's another future article that can be written | | | | you are out for the day. |
| about "Owner Etiquette"), but due to my | | | | Be aware of the utility consumption in the rental |
| experience in the rental business over the past | | | | property. Electric for A/C can be expensive if run |
| several years, I've come across some good tips I | | | | full-blast all the time or if the windows are left |
| can recommend for Vacation Renters to follow | | | | open. |
| that will make for a Happy Owner: | | | | Don't smoke inside the house. |
| Don't misrepresent the number of people in your | | | | Don't let a maintenance issue go. If there is a |
| group. This will not make the Owner or Property | | | | plumbing issue, etc. notify the Owner or Manager |
| Manager happy from the start. Capacity limits are | | | | immediately so they can take care of it before it |
| provided for a reason (local ordinances and the | | | | gets to be a bigger problem. On the same token, |
| extra strain on the home and utilities). The same | | | | be sure to take care with Owner's equipment |
| goes for pets. Make sure you get permission | | | | such as being careful not to overload the washer, |
| from the Owner before bringing a pet. Parties and | | | | and to clean the lint out of the dryer. |
| weddings at a home should also be ruled out | | | | If the Owners have supplies out for their guests, |
| unless prior permission was granted. | | | | try not to be greedy and either replace or save |
| Let the property manager know in advance if | | | | something for the following guests. Many guests |
| you are going arrive early or later than expected. | | | | are generous and will leave a good book behind |
| Most owners or managers are accommodating if | | | | that they've already read for the next guest. |
| they have advance notice and availability. If your | | | | Be respectful of any surrounding neighbors by not |
| airplane is late, be sure to give the Owner a quick | | | | being too noisy. |
| call to let them know so that the Owner is not | | | | Don't nitpick and fuss at every little detail about |
| waiting around for you to give you the keys, etc. | | | | the home if it is clean and adequate. Your |
| Try to leave the vacation home in the same | | | | decorating and furnishing ideas may be different |
| condition as received. You are on vacation and | | | | than the Owners. You are there to relax and |
| not expected to do a lot of work; however, if | | | | enjoy yourself and to have a good time with the |
| you have several dirty towels, you may want to | | | | area and attractions that you have chosen. |
| help the cleaning person out and start the laundry. | | | | Do not rearrange the furniture. Vacation renters |
| This is particularly important if there is a | | | | are renting short-term and it is difficult to move |
| turn-around guest (another guest arriving later | | | | the furniture back. |
| that day), because it is the laundry that takes the | | | | Do not park on the lawn or pick the flowers. |
| most time for them. If you are at the beach all | | | | Finally, treat the home as your own. Owners tend |
| day, make sure you hose off the sand outside | | | | to have a lot of pride in their homes and enjoy |
| before tracking it in. Try not to get food or drink | | | | sharing their home with others. They like to see |
| stains on the carpet or the living room furniture. If | | | | their guests have just as much fun as they do. |
| tipping is customary at your vacation place, or if | | | | Owners appreciate it when guests send them |
| you feel your housekeeper or Caretaker did an | | | | pictures of their trip and give them positive |
| excellent job, feel free to leave them a tip for a | | | | reviews for future guests. The biggest |
| job well done. | | | | compliment you can give them is a repeat |
| Make sure your children are closely | | | | booking. |
| supervised-that they are not doing things such as | | | | |